The door opened ; neither looked up , yet each was conscious of mingled disappointment and relief when the major said , in a grave tone , `` Girls , I 've something to tell you . '' `` We know what it is , sir , '' returned Helen , coolly . `` I beg your pardon , but you do n't , my dear , as I will prove in five minutes , if you will give me your attention . '' The major looked as if braced up to some momentous undertaking ; and planting himself before the two young ladies , dashed bravely into the subject . `` Girls , I 've played a bold game , but I 've won it , and will take the consequences . '' `` They will fall heaviest on you , uncle , '' said Helen , thinking he was about to declare his love for the widow . The major laughed , shrugged his shoulders , and answered , stoutly , -- `` I 'll bear them ; but you are quite wrong , my dear , in your surmises , as you will soon see . Helen is my ward , and accountable to me alone . Amy 's mother gave her into my charge , and wo n't reproach me for anything that has passed when I explain matters . As to the lads they must take care of themselves . '' Suddenly both girls colored , fluttered , and became intensely interested . The major 's eyes twinkled as he assumed a perfectly impassive expression , and rapidly delivered himself of the following thunderbolt , -- `` Girls , you have been deceived , and the young men you love are impostors . '' `` I thought so , '' muttered Helen , grimly . `` Oh , uncle , do n't , do n't say that ! '' cried Amy , despairingly . `` It 's true , my dears ; and the worst of it is , I knew the truth all the time . Now , do n't have hysterics , but listen and enjoy the joke as I do . At Coblentz , when you sat in the balcony , two young men overheard Amy sigh for adventures , and Helen advise making a romance out of the gloves one of the lads had dropped . They had seen you by day ; both admired you , and being idle , gay young fellows , they resolved to devote their vacation to gratifying your wishes and enjoying themselves . We met at the Fortress ; I knew one of them , and liked the other immensely ; so when they confided their scheme to me I agreed to help them carry it out , as I had perfect confidence in both , and thought a little adventure or two would do you good . ''
`` Uncle , you were mad , '' said Helen ; and XXXXX added , tragically , -- `` You do n't know what trouble has come of it . ''
Amy Coblentz Fortress Helen day dears fall impostors minutes thunderbolt