Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-08-27

long talk with US tomorrow" said 10
hanna; 1t is too late tonight. We snail
be busy shopping in the morning, out
can you come in the evening"?
"Oh, yes,' | answered; Il am at leis-
ure most evenings, and | count upon
spending them with you. can escort
you to as many places of amusement as
you wish TO visit"
Tomorrow. then" she said. I'VE shall
take tea at eight o'clock.
l babe them goodnight with lighter
heart than | had felt for a long while. /
held Julias hand the longest, looking
into her face earnestly, till it flushed aIS
glowed a little under my scrutiny.
True heart!'' | said to myself, true
and constant. and | have nothing, and
shall have nothing. to offer it but the
ashes of a dead love. Would to heaven"
| thought as | paced along Brook street,
Il had never been fated TO see Olivia!
| was punctual to my time the next
day. | sat among them quiet and ST.
lent, but revealing in this partial return
of olden times. When Julia poured out
my tea, and passed it to me with her
white hand, l felt inclined to kiss her
jeweled fingers. If Captain Carey had
not been present l think l should have
done so.
We fingered over the pleasant meal
At the close Captain Carey announced
that he was about TO leave US alone to-
gether for an hour or two. | went down
to the door with him. for he had made
me a mysterious signal to follow him. In
the hall he whispered a few Incompetent
sible sentences into my ear.
Don't think anything of me, my boy.
Don't sacrifice yourself for me. I'm an
old fellow compared to you, though I'm
not fifty yet; everybody in Guernsey
knows that. So put me out of the ques-
ton, Martin There's many a slip 'twixt
the cup and the lip That know quite
well, my dear fellow"
He was gone before l could ask for an
explanation. / returned to the. drawing
room, bordering over his words. Johan
ma and Julia were sitting side by side
on the sofa, in the darkest corner of the
room.
Come here. Martini" said Johanna;
1--WE wish to consult you on q subject of
great Importance to US all"
| drew up a chair opposite to them and
sat down, much as if it was about to
be a medical consultation.
1T is nearly eight months since your
poor dear mother died." remarked Jo-
hanna.
Eight months Yes; and no one knew
what those eight months had been to me
how desolate! how empty!
"You recollect" continued Johanna,
chow her heart was set on your marriage
with Julia, and the promise you both
made to her on her deathbed"
YES" | answered, bending forward
and pressing Julia's hand, Il remember
every word"
There was a minutes silence after this;
and l waited in some wonder as to what
this prelude was leading to.
MARTIN" asked Johanna, in solemn
tone, 'are you forgetting Olivia"
NO" l said, dropping Julia's hand
as the image of Olivia flashed across me
reproachfully, mot at all. What would
you have me say? She is as dear to me
at this moment as she ever was"
II thought you would say So" she re-
piled; II did not think yours was love
that would quickly pass away, if it ever
does. There are men who can love with
the constancy of a woman. Do you know
anything of her"
Nothing" l said despondently; 81
have no clue as to where she may be
now"
Nor has Tardif,' she continued; my
brother and l went across to Sark last
week to ask him."
That was very good of you," inter
rupted.
1T was partly for our own sakes,"
she said, blushing family. Martin, Tar
diff says that if you have once loved
Olivia, it is once for all. You would
never conquer it. Do you think that
this is true? Be candid with u.s."
Yes" l answered. lit is true. l could
never love again as l love Olivia"
Then, my dear Martin" said Johan-
na. very softly, "do you wish to keep
Julia to her prOmise?"
l started violently. What! did Julia
wish to be released from that semi-en-
gagement, and be free? Was it possible
that any one else coveted my place in
her affections, and in the new house
which we had fitted up for ourselves! L
felt like the dog in the manger. 1t SEEM
ed an unheard-of encroachment for any
person to come between my cousin Julia
and me.
DO you ask me to set you free from
your promise, Julia?" | asked, somewhat
sternly.
- I'D