Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-02-18
CHAPTER III.

! The frightening shadows of the willow
| tree told Irene that she had been here
+ long enough. She laughed aloud to her
self as she thought what the grandmere
would say if she knew that for one whole
hour she had been lingering by the brook
/ side, dreaming of the lover to come.
/ Then she started abruptly and arose
I from her pretty seat, for a dog racing
squirrel and barking furiously rushed
1 past her and two gentlemen followed the
dog.
Where is my lover?" was the last
thought she remembered before the noise
and confusion of the frightened squirrel,
the barking dog, the hurried footsteps.
HE is here" was the next thought that
occurred to her mind, for looking up she
saw the sunlight falling on the very hero
of her dreams
She saw two gentlemen, one tall and
stately, with the dignihed, easy grace and
bearing that distinguishes a soldier with
broad shoulders, with a grand, well-kuit
frame, with a face handsome in its dark
beauty The brow was broad and ideal.
with eyebrows that almost met; the ewes
were dark gray with indescribable color
and beauty of expression; eyes that nc
woman could resist she saw a proud
mouth, yet it had in it the grace and
sweetness of a woman's.
"He is here" she thought to herself:
me is just as | have pictured him in
my dreams"
e am afraid we startled you" said
deep voice.
at is my fault" said another voice.
Dido is terrible dog for squirrels, and
| ought to have left him at home"
Il am not startled now" said Irene.
But you were, protested the gentle
man TO whom the dog belonged.
Looking up she saw him. and half won
dered in that one moment whether he be-
longed TO the same world as this-the
hero of her dreams.
Il know that you were frightened, he
persisted, "all the color left your face and
you are trembling even now"
1t is not that she answered simply.
So simply that the same thought of rev.
erence went through the minds of both
! this was girl, half angel. half child.
| Both involuntarily took off their hats and
| stood bareheaded before her.
| She, with wide open eyes. checked her
self. 1t was not that-not so much the
noise of the dog that startled her as
she was alarmed by the emotion aroused
! in her own heart by the sight of that
dark. beautiful face.
! Her senses were all awake and she
| looked from one to the other. taking in
| every detail Of their appearance with
keen. comprehensive glance. From the
dark, handsome face and keen. gray eyes
/ she looked to a fair Saxon face neither
very handsome nor very plain. They
were both gentlemen. she knew. from
! their dress and manner
, The fair-faced stranger went on:
Il have liked my dog. Dido, all my
| life" he said: and am angry with him
for the first time"
1T was not the dogs fault" she an
| swered,
/ The dark face was turned TO hers, and
/ the deep, clear voice said:
Il think we ought to be very grateful
/ TO Dido; but for her indiScretion in bark
4 ing. we should not have enjoyed this
Pleasant meeting"
4 Il B. not call it pleasant when it has
/ frighkned a young lady" said the fair
hairet stranger. Il would rather have
foregbne the pleasure OF seeing her than
/ have caused hey Jain.
Irene looked AT him; his face pleased
her, although ii lacked the dark beauty
/ that seemed to heT the most perfect; the
\ expression was simple. honest and true;
/ the eyes clear and candid. the mouth arm
,,n8 gostle. He drew a card from his
card ease
AS Dido trespaSsed, and be belongs 70
me. allow NE to introduce myself, AMI
apologize for him
Irene took the card and read the name;
she looked AZ him with simple rever-
ence that touched him
~4ouare Lord Arundale." she said; Il
knew y0ar name 50 well; Sou bought
some Of my fathers pictures"
"Y0ur fatherg" said ArandaIe. SIS he
ln artistg Who is heg The only artist
] know here is Santou Darcy"
She looked at him with unutterahle
pride
4 am Ssnton Dsrcy'S daughter" she
said and he coGia have smiled ar the
pride in her voice.
Il do not know where your father
lives" he said. Il purchased his pie
lures al the academy. Ii was only a few
days since that heard he resided in this
neighborheod. | shall De pleased to see
him"
His reward for lis kindly words was
the sweet mist OF tears that rose to her
eyes, and then the one with the dark.
handsome face said some 6ne worr!s to
her. Lord Arundale was impatient while
they were uttered
Il shah hope 10 see sou agais when |
cau upon Mr. Darcy. he said: 1T win
not be long until Jh
darcy" said the saas man Why
that IS the nanas A Melancholy Ars