Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-12-03


they were firm, and that she was not to
be tempted. So. when he had fingered in
vain for another word or glance. he lett
the room, that he might if possible, pre-
vent anyone else entering.
But apparently he could not do so.
Both Mr.. Pennington and Mr.. roster
camc in very soon. TO urge Nora 70 20
with item at once TO the vicarage, as
Traveere was not fit home for her JUST
then. they said.
'.As long as grandpa stays, she said'
quite simply and quietly, Il shall stay.
1t is our home"
They pleaded long and earnestly, using
every argument they could think OF, but
all TO no purpose. She and Kitty would
keep on this side Of the house. The
fallen chimney and broken roof were
quite far enough away Kitty would not
60 away. and she and kitty were used
to being together.
The vicar acceded TO Marks suggestion
that he should send his daughter TO Ira
we're with viii at once, and the two
drove away. Nuel Armstrong had taken
ND his own station in the room where
Nora sat, in that wondering regret of
0EES, H1Eule - -NS~-
dered her, or for what she mourned.
But Mark had not started yet. Passing
through the kitchen, because he knew
that from the back Of the house he could
strike across the bog more directly for
Fintona, he bethought him to question
Kitty and old Breen, as they stood to-
gether talking at the fire, turning their
backs upon the weak and chilly light Of
dawn creeping into the house. 1t would
be wise for him, before he sought the
Fintona attorney, to be. if possible, quite
sure that he was the man who would if
anyone. understand the affairs Of Col.
st. George.
Kitty could give Mr.. Poynz little in
formation beyond the fact that though
Mr.. Doyle had come occasionally to Ira
we're, he liver an alwis refused the bit
and sup But Breen remembered hear
ing '.him an tn ould masther talkin' waa
day behint him an Borak bout signin' a
paper"
That was enough for Mark to hear; and
after a little chat with the old servants
he went out into the faint, gray dawn.
He need not have turned a corner of
the house at all on his direct way to
Fintona, and at the moment 1t would
have puzzled him to give motive for
doing So But afterward he knew that,
slight as the sound had been, his quick
ears had detected it even before he was
conscious of doing so. The first window
round the corner of the house was that
of the room where Col. st. George had
slept and to this window Mark went at
once. Half way up it was blocked by the
fallen bricks; but it had been opened as
vile as it would go, and Mark saw that
a man could, if he We're very cautious,
enter the room that way. But he saw
more. Kneeling on the debris, and en-
crossed in his labors, young man
whose figure even thus Mark recognized
in a moment-was clearing with his
hands, quickly and cautiously, the rub
Dish from before the iron safe; and
though perhaps it was done as quietly as
possible, it was still done with an newt
able clatter. Between his teeth Mark
saw that he held a key, as he worked on
swiftly and eagerly.
1t took Mr. Poynz but a few seconds to
regain the hall and turn the key which
was in the outer lock of the door of the
destroyed room; and then, before Shan
Corr had time to do more than look
round from his height to recognize the
English gentleman. that English gentle
man had his fingers firm in the Irishman's
collar, and had quietly swung him around,
to find his feet, if he could, upon a lqwer
level.
The sound of Shan's raised voice
brought Dr. Armstrong out into the hall,
and Just then Mark found himself watch
ing the physicians face very curiously.
Could it be that he was so familiar with
this Irishman's rascality that no new
phase of it could surprise him? Or was
he too self-contained a man to betray any
feeling at all, except when jealousy was
aroused?
''As temporary guardian of Miss st.
Georges interests-you styled yourself so
to me an hour ago, DR.. Armstrong-let
me recommend you to guard Col. st.
Georges effects from thieves and vaga-
bonds. Is this Col st. Georges key?
That scoundrel dropped it from his mouth
in his fear"
Yes, that is Col. st. Georges key"
replied Dr. Armstrong, without looking
beyond the key.
(To be continued)