Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-07
CHAPTER Xxx.

IL these pleasant idle days when God
frey was leading the same life again
that he had led in that other unforgotten
holiday so many years ago, a consider
able part of his time soon came to be
spent with jeanne. He was at the vicar
age during some part of every four-and
twenty hours. As it had been of old, he
became again almost one of themselves,
coming and going as he liked. he often
went fishing with the vicar; he made
friends with the new generation of chill
1ren; he talked a great deal with Edith,
and little with Violet, but most of all
be cared to be where jeanne was.
She was fond of walking, and as often
as it was possible he used to accompany
her on her walks. AT first he tried to give
an appearance of chance to these meet
ings with her, but presently he ventured
gradually to let her see that they did not
come by chance. One day he found her
sitting sketching, and he threw himself
down on the grass beside her.
She made her picture that day, and he
lay at her feet with feeling of supreme
content. His life since ne had been here
last seemed to be fading away from him
in these happy weeks-all growing dim
in the charm of this recovered atmos-
phere that was giving him back his youth
and the hope that he had lost so long
ago. He often now almost forgot that
neither he nor she was young; she seem
ed so little changed; he felt so little
changed, too.
He was thinking this to-day, when,
curiously, in the midst of his thoughts.
she began suddenly to speak about that
life that he had left behind him.
She had never done this until now;
the briefest reference to the past and to
Margaret had been all that had ever
passed between them. But perhaps she
had already had it in her mind to break
her silence; for to-day, after there had
been a pause for a minute or two be-
tween them, she all at once began to
speak in a way that did not seem to be
unprecedented.
MAY l say something to your" she
asked abruptly, and rather nervously.
you know, after that day-long ago
when 1 saw you last-of course I often
thought about your marriage. l often
wondered if you were content" She
hesitated for moment. Il have no right
to ask-but-you were content, were you
not?" she said timidly.
''Yes-T was content" he deliberately
replied.
He made no other answer for a minute,
but at the end of that time he began
to speak again very gravely.
you helped me thai day when 1 need
ed help" he said Heaven knows have
all my life been grateful to you. No. l
never repented my marriage. My wife
was one Of the best and most unselfish Of
wonderland she never knew-what /
went that day in my trouble and told to
you. That was best-wasn't it?'
II knew you wouldn't tell her." jeanne
said quickly. ''It was only to keep silent
for little while-till her love made you
love her."
"Well, did that" he answered. "You
gave me strength to do it. So 1 have
owed not little to you, you see. Oh,
no, 1 have not been an unhappy man,
She gave her whole life to me for seven
teen years, poor girl; and she gave me
Rita, too. My little daughter was
great consolation to me-"
One evening, when the vicar and Mr..
Helstone happened to be alone, Godfrey,
yielding to a sudden impulse, said some
thing to him about jeanne.
mfr Beresford, think you must know
why L am here" he abruptly said,
Twenty years ago, if it had been in my
power, l would have asked jeanne to be
my wife,"
"And-lad! have you come back to ask
her nowT said the vicar, almost with
cry. There was momentary fire IN his
face-a sudden wrath that made his eyes
fash, and gave him the look of an old
soldier facing his foe. But the fame
hardly lasted more than a secord. II
might have known" he added almost i'm.
mediately, in tone that had fallen into
another key. II am an old fool-for
might have known"
"She is more dear to me than l can
trust myself to tell you," Godfrey said
in a low voice, for he was trying 70 con-
troll an emotion that almost got the mas
terry of him. "She was the love of my
youth, but she is dearer to me now even
than she was in those old days-though
both her youth and mine are gone. II
take her from you"
$50 you think she'll have you?" the
vicar interrupted him wistfully. de
lpuhtN Ut NfOQAASA AOI n uiVuttAl. AI
well--you know about it, probably he
added, with an effort-''and have an old
mans dim eyes and have not seen" He
was silent for a few seconds; then, in a
low voice. MY poor lassr' he said; ''and
did she think of this, too, twenty years
ago?"
Il never had the right to ask her that, !"
Godfrey answered, with keenness of
memory that sent the hot blood to his
face.
The vicar walked on quickly little
way ahead of his companion. They were
near the gate that led into the meadow,
and when he reached it he opened it and
passed through.
zone can breathe better here" be said,
as Godfrey followed him, land a man
feels the need of deep breath at times.
You see, sir, you have given me blow"
Il am afraid have" Godfrey answer
ed quickly; ''and you will find it hard to
forgive me for it."
Nay, nay, sir.' cried the old man,
vigorously, that is a thing you need not
fear. About forgiveness you have no
call to speak. As I say. this-this shakes
me little. you understandable heaven
forbid that should grudge her any hap
piness. l have never done that. l trust.
would cut my right hand off and fling it
in the fire rather than do ii now."
Godfrey went back into the garden and
approached the house. looking for jeanne.
The usual stir of young voices was in the
air. and the children. with Edith, were on
the lawn. preparing for the customary
paStime. jeanne he found presently sit
ting with her mother by one of the open
drawing room windows.
1T is such pleasant evening. Can
you come out a littleg" Godfrey asked
jeanne a few minutes afterward. and she
answered Yes" and joined him outside.
What have you done with papa? |
thought you were together? she had al
ready inquired.
I'VE were together. but he left me.
he replied.
She did not guess. as she Joined God
/ frey in the garden. that he wanted her
/ tonight more than he always wanted
/ her.
/ 1T Is nice out here. The drawing room
was very hot" she merely said.
so thought" he answered. Il want