Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-05-13

shall be glad of little practical advice.
Will not you and-AIiss Trail 90 with US
tomorrow morning to look over the house
and grounds"
I'VE shall be charmed. I'm sure" re-
sponded Miss Trail without hesitation.
IF we are still here interpolated Miss
Hope with a certain emphasis; ana l
looked up just in time to catch glance
exchanged between the two.
IF you approve the idea,'' continued
my uncle. you will reward me-us-wlth
long visit at Lorn Abbey, when, ac-
cording TO your suggestions, it has been
made habitable."
Miss Hope seemed inclined to respond
favorably, though not quite seriously as
yet.
Miss Trail, I'm afraid it is time we
said good night" she exclaimed, glanc-
ing at the little watch which adorned
her right wrist.
Until tomorrow, then" Uncle Will
frid said as she gave him her hand at
parting when the eyening was over. And
after? Can my niece and l persdsSe you
to give us your town address, or are you
to remain-a mysteryE"
my address shall be the only mys-
terry" she laughed. 'And that but for
the present. We shall meet again-after
tomorrow"
when and where?' Sir Wilfrid asked,
trying to speak lightly, but succeeding
i'll.
Only promise 10 accept ali your ;nvi-
tations for ext week. and that question
will answer itself" She threw a glance
in my direction as she spoke, which
interpreted as including me in her COM
mand.
When the door, w Ell had held open,
had been closed behind the two oddly
contrasting figures, my uncle passed his
hand over his forehead and seemed to
awake.
"Ah, well,'' he said, smiling. For an
hour or two / have gone back to five
and-twenty. l must now take up the
burden of 80 again. Who is she, Terry"
Miss Hope" l answered laconically.
"Ah, you won't answer my questions.
l shan't urge you-and so good night.
You'll not be sorry for few uncha2-
eroned moments together, | dare say"
When he had left us, Paula sprang 10
me with flashing eyes, but not for the
indulgence of sentiment at which he had
hinted She and / were much too sensi-
Bile and engaged a couple for that.
Terry, what is that woman she
painted "What is she doing here? What
does she want with Uncle Wilfrid? Mark
my words, she wants something, and that
something she means to have. You were
a fool to play into her hands. She will
marry him, if she chooses, and where
shall we be then-we, who have been
brought up to feel that we've a right to
everything that is his? She has bewitch-
ed Uncle Wilfrid, Terry, and | hate her
hate her with hate that kills!'
/ was very thoughtful as l went into
the room that was to be mine for the
night and locked the door. Paula's face.
it's beauty wiped out with the smear of
an unwomanly passion, remained imaged
on my eyeballs.
"She will marry him, If she chooses,
and where shall we be then-we, who
have been brought up to feel that We've
a right to everything that is his?"
Those were the words that ran in my
recollection, and the thought that they
had been spoken by the girl who was to
be my wife sickened and Disguised me.
am afraid that, in those moments,
should have rejoiced If | need never have
seen my fancee again.
1t was a peculiarly dingy little room in
which / sat. There was not even fire.
place, but an ugly black pipe came
through the floor from some heating APP
paratus below. Evidently it was in use
in the room under mine, for a gentle
warmth made itself felt. For some time,
as 1 sat STEPPED in introspection, l had
been dimly conscious of the hum Of
voices. Now l knew that the sound as
cended through the aperture which adj
mitted the passage of the pipe.
At first there was merely an indistinct
buzz; but presently a voice that could
not escape my recognition brought me to
my feet. l could not stay there and
listen, and yet--the words heard made
my ears tingle, as though under sud
den blow.
Life will become intolerable If you
mean to threaten me. l give you fair
warning; this must end, or anything may
happen"
1t was Miss Hope who thus cried out
in a tone which told me that something
or some one had goaded her to the pitch
of desperation.
(To be continued)