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


During all the time that Irene was left
alone she moved not. She lay and pom
dered upon the years that had passed,
and upon the days that had passed She
thought of her father-and she wondered
if any other child in all the country had
parent like him. She hoped not-she
prayed not Then she thought of the
noble youth upon whom she had bestow-
ed the whole of her pure hearts love-
and she wondered if he loved her as she
loved him. He had never told her of his
love, though she had hoped that in his
looks she had read the happy assurance.
"Tt is a strange tale of love-" she MUIR
INJURED to herself, as she clasped her
hands upon her bosom. And yet. how
could help it? What to me was his ma
tivity or his tongue? Heaven makes no
nations, no castles. Oh, Clarence-Clar-
ence-ean the protecting love of thy noble
heart-the shielding power of thy strong
arms, be in store for me-"
At length the maiden was aroused by
hearing a light creaking from the stairs
which came down from the roof and in
a few moments more some one tried her
door. She arose and went to ask who
was there, and the soft voice of Cassan-
dra was heard in reply.
Are you alone?" the girl asked, in a
very low whisper.
"Yes-no one has been here since you
left"
Cassandra turned and picked up a bun
die she had dropped by the side of the
door, and then came in, and as soon as
the door had been relocked, the two went
back to where the candles were. Irene
sat down, but she dared not ask a ques-
ton; she had rested all her hopes upon
her maids success. and she was fearful
Of eliciting a fatal answer. But she was
not kept long in suspense.
Did you notice which way 1 came?"
CaSsandra asked.
You came down from the roof, did
you not?'
yes"
"But how?" queried Irene, whose mind
had just caught the difficulty of the thing.
"Ah, my mistress, good Father Rondo
has been more kind than had even hop
ed. Not only has he given me the dresses
| sought, but he also gave me key TO
the chapel, which l am TO return TO him"
BLESS bless" murmured Irene,
ut the same time drawing the good girls
head upon her bosom and kissing heT.
| I'VE can escape now"
'Yes-easily," returned Cassandra,
raising her head. All we have to do IS
simply to put on the dresses. ! have
| brought, aud then make our escape But
we viii not start yet; it viii be safer to
wait until after midnight, FOR then all
will be safe here in the house. We had
| better retire now, for there is no know
d sh.N Lon in ms
\ Ii suspicion is already entertained it will
I not do 10 excite more"
Irene saw at once the propriety Of the
/ girls suggestion, and ere long afterwards
she prepared to retire. The candles were
/ extingr;shed after small night-lamp
I had been lighted, and then Cassandra
/ lay down with her mistress. 1t was not
far from eleven o'clock when a light foot
I step was heard near the door. and imme-
diately afterwards some one tried the
latch Upon the instant Cassandra com
menced to snore.
Who's theregs asked Irene, speaking
as though She had just been awakened
/ front a sound sleep.
It's only me-old Bel" returned the
/ applicant. Il thought Ia Just stop and
/ see il you wanted anything.
NO, l thank you'll want only sleep.
After this the woman went away. Cas-
I sandra listened until she was out of hear
4 ing. and then she said;
Your father sent that ole woman up.
I ] am sure. l saw her in conversation
with him as l passed his window this
evening"
Il thought Of that when l first heard
/ her" returned Irene.
Nothing more was said until the clock
struck twelve. though neither Of the girls
/ had closed her eyes from drowSiness. AL
WAS quiet in the house.
Now. said Cassaadvs. in low whiS-
per, 'iet rs M and prepare. viii make
/ sure that there is AZ one about the haA-"
Thus speaking. she arose and walked
softly 10 the door. ana bsving opened It
/ she passed nOiSelessly cut and looked
about. But she foend nOthiag ia the
way. All was still and quiet. and the
[ lights were all out; she returned. and hav-
I inS relocked the door she raised the wick
Of the lamp. and then proceeded TO open
l the bundle she bad brought with her
/ from the good priSt's. First she helped
dress Irene. The black silken hose were
drawn on; then tho buckled shoes; then
tle close vest: and tAen the long robe.
4 The latter garment wa net an inch too
long, and when the giriie was round
about the lcins and tied. the garb cited
well. Next she put frens's long. silken
( tresSes snugly up on the gop OF the head.
and having bound them cp. she put o.