Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-10-21
CHAPTER XIX.

With the deathly silence which ensued
as the heavy echoing steps of the search
ers passed away, the men being complete
| ly at fault as to why certain ups Of
blood should be lying near couch,
Humphrey descended the steps e more.
"They are gone" he whispered but
there was no reply; and, feeling softly
about his hand came in contact with
Mary's arm, to find that she lay back in
corner of the vault, wilh a 'kerchief
pressed tightly against her breast.
He hastily bandaged the wound, firmly
binding the handkerchief which she
held there with his own and the broad
scarf he wore, and after placing her in
more comfortable position. began to
search in the darkness Tor the food and
water which was there.
The water was soon found-a deep, cool
cistern in the middle of the floor.
The food lay close at hand, and with it
cup. With this he bore some of the
cool, refreshing liquid to the WOUNDED
woman, holding some to her lips and
bathing her brow, till she uttered a sigh
and returned to consciousness.
Don't leave me!' she said. feebIy. at
is very darkv'
are gone"
Yes" she sighed 81 heard them. How
long is it to day."
1T cannot be long now" he said, as he
took her hand.
She sighed as she felt the unwonted
tenderness and rested her head against
his shoulder.
NO." she said softly, sit cannot be
long now. 1t will come too toonr'
There was so much meaning in her
voice that he felt cold chill, as if the
hand of death passed between to separate
these two so strangely brought together.
Are you in pain?' he said.
Pain. No. Happy-so happyr' she
whispered. For you do love me?"
Love your he cried.
And she-at home?"
THAT was not love-" he said. wildly.
But now tell me about this place-snall
we see the day when it comes?'
You WILL" she said. softly. 81 shall
perhaps"
Perhaps. No, you shallt he whis-
pered. as he pressed his arm gently
around her, forgetting everything now of
the past, save that this woman loved
him, and that there was future before
them of hope and joy.
Hold ME like that" she whispered,
with 4 sigh of content. 1T is better so.
1t could never have been--onIy my Wild
dream-a woman's thirst for the love of
one in whom she could believe. A wom-
ans lover
As the light grew stronger he saw that
his companion seemed to have lost the old
masculine look given by her attire; for
coat and vest had been cast aside, and
the loose shirt. open at the neck, h,,d more
the aspect of robe. Her dark hair .urIed
closely about her temples, and as Hum
phrey Armstrong gazed down at the face.
with its parted lips and long lashes lying
upon the creamy dark cheeks, his heart
thro5bed, for he felt that he had won
the love of as handsome woman as any
upon whom his eyes had ever lighted
he forgot the wound, the bandanging
kerchief seeming in the semi-darkness
like some scarf; and as he sat and gazed
he bent down lower and softly touched
the moist forehead with his lips.
Mary woke up with a frightened start
and gazed at him wildly, but as conscious
ness came her look softened and she
nestled TO him.
Il did not mean TO wake YOU he said
She started again and looked ct him
wildly. as il she faneied she had de-
tected chilliness "a his manner: but his
eyes undeceived her, and as be raised her
hand to his lips. she let il rest there for
a few moments. and then stole it round
sis neck.
Tell me-" he said gently. ~your
woundT
She shook her head softly.
No" she whispered: lies it rest. Talk
OF yourself You will wait here two days.
and then steal ont at night aud make
your way down to the shore. You know
the way"
If Go Yen VIII guide me. be said
She locked AZ him keenIy 10 see II he
meant What he said. ard then reading the
sincerity Of his worIs in his frank eyes.
sAe shook her head again.
~No," she whispered you asked me
OF my wound. Il is home Humphrey
Armstrong, this Is TO be - ---s
What he cried. ~Oh, no. 10. 10.
You must 1--we to bless ne with your
love-
Live 70 disgrace yOu with my love-"
Mary
There vas such a depth OF lore. such
intensity in the tone in which he uttered
her name. that she m0aned aloud
All. ron are in PAIN he cried.
IN palz FOR you. she whispered. '-sor
you suffer for my sake. Hist, Do yoa
hearz~
She cling 10 him tightly.
Me- he s4ia. -saere Is nothing
-YG y she sid. softly. Steps I car
Aez- then-they are coming back