Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-12-18
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)

me to shame and misery! How nave
ever, by single word or deed, merited
this from you? Oh, have pity on me-
Spare mev'
The dark man stood for few moments
and gazed upon the child in silence. Then
he gave her his hand and lifted her TO
her feet. His frame trembled, and ms
eye burned strangely; and once more
Irene saw that same look that had before
made her shudder.
You would be saved from Jilok Tu-
DELI" he uttered, in a quick. nervous
whisper.
.'Yes-Oh, yesv the maiden <eplied.
She gazed I'D into his face as she spoke,
but she shrank from the look she met
there. 1t was not a kind look-it was not
a threatening one. Oh, she could not
fathom it.
IT have promised Tudel," he whispered.
II have promised him; but, no! | VIII
not speak YETI
The man stopped midway in the room
he gazed upon the girl moment-and
then left the place. Irene stood there,
crouching away in thu corner, until she
could hear the steps of her either 40
more, and then, with one deep groan, she
1t was half an hour after this that Cas-
sandra came into the room and found her
young mistress lying upon the floor. ohe
FASTENED TO her side, and with cold wat
er and salts soon managed to bring her
from her swoon.
What is it. my mistress?" the faithful
girl asked, as she held the maiden's head
in her lap.
"Cassandra," whispered Irene, gazing
eagerly up, is it your
Eyes, dearest mistress"
Where is my-father?"
Il know not; / have not seen him.
Shall call him?
Call him." repeated the fair girl,
starting quickly to her feet.
She cazed wildly about her, and finally,
bending close to her attendant, she ut
tered, in a hoarse, frightened whisper:
ION, mol have no father, Cassandra.
Never. never morel On all the wide
earth bave no father! Speak not now.
Let me think"
Irene sank into chair and bowed her
head upon her hands. She remained thus
full fifteen minutes, and when she raised
her head again Il was fairly dark.
Shall | bring lights?" asked Cassan-
dra.
Not here-not here. Take them to my
own chamber; l will go thither at once,
and DO you follow quickly with the lights
quickly, Cassandra; ., quickly! Do not
leave me alone"
The fair young attendant was surpris-
ed and most deeply moved. but she stop
ped not now to ask questions. Hasten
ing at once to the stewards department,
she procured candles, and then went up
to the chamber of her mistress, where she
found Irene already seated upon the bed.
The waxen tapers were set in the costly
sticks, and then CassSndra sat down up
on the soft divan which her mistress
sometimes used for a footstoOl. Awhile
Irene gazed upon her in silence, and then
she went and sat down near her and
drew her head into ker lap. This move
ment startled the young girl. For an in
slant the thought flashed upon her that
her poor mistress might have her mind
turned. Yet she allowed her head TO rest
quietly where it had been placed, and she
moved not until she felt a warm tear
drop upon her cheek. Another-and an
other. She turned her gaze upward, and
Irene was weeping. Starting quickly up,
she threw her arms about her gentle
lady's neck, and in a low, eager tone, she
cried:
What is it, Irene? o. trust me, for
this heart is all your own, even unto
death"
The maiden wiped away her tears, and
with an effort she was calm.
"Cassandra." she said, in a low, yet dis
tinct tone, Il have no home. / have no
home, | have no father any more. Cas-
sandra. Never, never more! No fatherr'
But he is not dead, whispered the
maid.
Dead to me-worse than dead" re-
turned Irene, with fearful shudder.
But ask me no more Of him. cannot
stay here. Cassandra; it is no more my
home: this roof covers a pest-Spot-a
chasael-housel You will bear me com
pany"
Yes, yes, my mistress You will not
command me in this, for only bid me stay
behind and on my Bonded knee will |
pray that | may accompany you. But
when will you go?'
As soon as possible. Oh, tonight if
/ could
rs there need Of such haste?"
"Ay-as there is Of the condemned
mans breaking from prison. They have
fixed upon Monday next as the day of
nv marriage"
SO soon?" uttered CasSandra. forget
ting what had passed And viii not
your father save you from this?"
Irene ST. Mare turned pale as death.
She pressed her hands hard upon her
bosom, and at length she said, in a voice
fearfully distinct in its deep, moaning
xoume:
He would save me from the pirate
rs the ravenous wolf would save the lost
lamb"
CaSsandra gazed tixedly into the speak
er's face. and her own cheeks turned
ashen, aud her own frame shook. Once
more she wound her arms about Irene's
neck and drew her head upon her bosom.
i viii ask thee no more" she said,
speaking gently and Soothingly. Let us
plan FOR our escape. aud make our way
OF as soon as possible"
irene made one more powerful effort,
and thereby she threw of the terrible
load from her mind, SO that she could
bend her thoughts to the subject in hand.
~Oh. we must be very careful" she
said. "for l feel sure that l know why
this move is taken. have been too bold
and assured. have exposed my thoughts
when knew it not. From my utter cool
aess when in the had mans presence. and
from the deep contempt which l have al
lowed TO exhibit itself toward him. he
has rightly Judged that l meant TO make
my escape. Tor no other reason would
he have made such a change in our ar.
raagementS. So. once more, We must Be
very careful. You are quick Of wit, Gas
sandra; Oh. help me il you cam
The young girl sazed her mistress
steadily while she spoke, and when she
had finished she bowed her head and re,
manned Tor some moments in deep
thought. At length she raised her eyes,
aud the very light that heamed therefrom
told that she had gained something by
her rendering.
II think | can obtain the garhs Of two
priests, irsne-I am sure l can. l can
do 1t this very night. Yoe remember my
father. LADY,"
very wen. Casssndra.