Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-01-17
CHAPTER XIII.

C1A11ElS XIII,
OWNS MESSAGE TO cocH TAI.
When Reginald Mason went up
stairs to pay his morning visit to the
Invalid, he found her sitting up in bed,
supported by pillows, staring out
through the window which was op.
posite to her at the falling snow.
She looked uneasy and distressed.
What Is this% she asked, rs soon
as he entered the room. "rhey say
we're showed up! If SO, you won't be
able to get awayw
"Not today, I'm afraid" said he.
"But I'm not in such hurry to 20.
would rather see you about first
She looked at him earnestly. In this,
the first sight he had had of her face
In q natural position, Mason was
struck by Its beauty of feature. Re
fined by illness, her face had lost the
rudy brown Of the PEASANTS healthy
skin and looked delicately transparent.
Her large. dark eyes had in them a
pla1ntive expression of anxiety which
gave them an unusual depth and bril-
hancy. Her magnificent black hair, no
longer confined In the formal coil of
tight plaits which she wore when in
health. was Just loose enough to give
softening effect to her whole face.
If he had seen her first at work
about the house or on the farm, with
her sleeves rolled up, wearing her nat
ural expression of busy interest about
household trities, Mason would have
passed no other comment on her than
would be expressed in the remark that
she was fine girl.
AS 1t was, however, she had for him
all the interest of beautiful woman
met under romantic and singular cir
cumstances. He was interested in
her, touched by her evident concern
on his account.
"Where have you come fromY' she
asked shortly. Not WalesY
Il come from London
"Ah! That was where your brother
came from"
"You saw him2" asked Mason en-.
gerly.
She threw at him a frightened
glance, which woke his interest anew.
mo"
"But you heard of his coming? pur-
sued he quickly.
Again, to his Impotence and disgust,
he saw in this charming, attractive
girl the same ugly reticence which had
characterized Coch Tails every men
ton Of his brother.
Il heard Of clergyman's coming to
see the ruins" she answered stiftly, as
II measuring out her words.
And as she spoke she settled herself
down among her pillows and closed
her eyes rs IL the exertion of sitting
up had tired her. But he knew that
this fatigue was only assumed, and he
asked her another question In low
voice earnestly. They We're alone to-
gether for the first time; the grand
mother, whose presence acted like an
evil spell upon Mason, was for once
out of the way. Such an opportunity
was not to be lightly missed.
IF you know anything, tell me-" said
he implorlngly in voice which shook
with the emotion he felt. "Nobody
will tell me anything. But I must
know"
How paltry her excuse Of apparent
fatigue was became In an Instant
abundantly evident. She flashed her
great eyes at him and repeated quickly
In the low voice she had used all the
time:
Must know! What do you mean by
that? Is 1t a threatY'
mo-" answered he passionately. "It
is-an entreaty."
There was silence. She closed her
eyes again, and presently he saw roll
ing from under her eyelids two tears,
which slowly trickled down to her
pillow. Mason bit his lip. he felt
that he was a brute to disturb her at
such time, and yet he knew that the
agitation from which she was suffer-
Ing could hardly be increased by any.
thing he could say.
Again there was silence. The big
snowfakes tiuttered steadily past the
window, darkening it as they fell; the
fire Missed in the CRATE. Presently the
girl turned her head.
"There Is some one at the door"
said she in a whisper. "See who 1t u.s."
Mason crossed the floor very quick
", threw open the door and discover.
ed Coch Tai standing close behind.
The PEASANTS face wore an ugly.
threatening look as he met the eyes
Of the doctor.
$50 you're not going, sir, after all?'
said he In strongly ironical tone.
"1'm going the moment can do So"
returned Mason. "At present I'm told
1t Is impossible to leave the house."
Impossible! Yes, especially for
them as aren't in the mood to co."
retorted Coch Tai fiercely.
Mason, afraid that the mans angry
and aggressive tones would reach
Gwyn's ears and alarm her, closed the
door Of the room, shutting himself and
his companion out.
do you doubt that want to get
awayT asked he quietly.
"Doubt it7 Yes, do. l doubt
your wanting to get away from herr"
And he jerked his head violently in
the direction of the room where the
sick girl was lying.
Jealous" thought Mason, with his
yes suddenly opened.
And at once he set about allaying the
excited lovers fears.
Il should certainly not have cared to
go or have been willing to go while my
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