Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-08-06
CHAPTER XIV.

Julia looked very much the same as she
had done that evening when l came re-
luctantly TO tell her that my heart was
not in her keeping, but belonged to an
other. She wore the same kind of fresh,
light muslin dress, with ribbons and lace
about it, and she sat near the window.
with piece of needlework in her hands;
yet she vas not sewing, and her hands
lay G les sly on her lap. 4 mingled feel
ing of sorrow, pity and shame prevented
me from advancing into the room. She
looked up to see who was standing in the
doorway, and my appearance there evil
IDENTIFY alarmed and distressed her.
Martin" she cried.
MAY l come in and speak TO you. Ju-
LAP l asked.
us my aunt worse? she inquired hur-
riedly. Are you come to fetch me to
herr"
NO. no, julia" l said; my mother is
as we'll as usual. hope. But surely you
will let me speak to you after all this
timer"
1T is not a long time" she answered.
Has it not been long to you?" l asked.
1T seems years to me. All life has
changed for me. l had no idea then %
my mothers illness"
Nor L. she said, signing deeply.
IF had known it," l continued. "all
this might not have happened Surely
the troubles | shall have to bear must
plead with you for mer'
Yes, Martin" she answered; yea 1
am very sorry for you
She came forward and offered me her
hand but without looking into my face.
saw that she had been crying, for her
eyes were red. In 4 tone of formal POI
likeness she asked me If would not sit
down. l considered il best TO remain
standing, as an intimation that l should
not trouble her with my presence for
long. had no time to lose, lest Kate
Daltrey should Come in, and it was q
/ very difficult subject TO approach. -~~
We were talking of you to-day" she
said at lG2g;h, in hurried and thick
/ Voice. Aunt is in great sorrow about
you. 1t preys upon her day and night
that you will be dreadfully alone when
she is gone, nd-and--Martin, she wishes
| 70 know before she dies that the girl 10
! Sark will become your wife"
The words struck Ike / shot upon my
ear and brain. What, had Julia and my
mother been arranging between them my
I happiness and Olivia'S safety that very
afternoon Such generosity was incred-
! ible. could not believe | had heard
| Alright.
she has seen the girl" continued
/ Julia. in the same husky tone, and she
is convinced she is no adventures. 10
I hanna says the same. They tell ME il j:
+ unreasonable and selfish in me 10 doom
/ YOU to the dreadful loneliness | feel. II
/ Aunt Dobree asked me to pluck out my
I right eye just now. l could not refuse
/ II Is something like that. but hav,
/ promised 70 do il. | release you from
/ every promise you ever made 10 me. Mar
1 tin"
! "Juliar' | cried. crossing - her and
1 bending over her with more love an.
: admiration than had ever felt before
; this is very noble. very generous.
/ No" she said, bursting into tears; -
am neither noble nor generous. l 10 i
! because | cannot help myself. with aunt.
Z white face looking so imploringly at me
( l do not give you up willingly 10 that cir
in Sark. I hope ! shall never see he
or You for many. many years. Aunt say
7 you will have no chance OF marrying he
till you are settled in a practice some
where: but you are free 70 ask her 70 b
your wife. Aunt wants yoa 70 hav
somebody 70 love you and care FOR yo'
after she Is gone, as I should have done
But you are generous 30 consent L
st." ! said again.
No" she answered. vipiaE her eye
and lifting up her head; II thought | va
generous; thought / was s Christian
but il is not easy TO he a Christian whel
enc Is mortified. and humbled. sal
wounded. an q great disappo.ntmen