Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-04-29
CHAPTER xxIn.-tCOptinued.)

soothing to her. She bowed her head
against the window frame and thought
Of him. The leaves of the roses, the
sprays of the passion hower which en-
circled the window touched her face and
her hair. She was thinking Of him,
thinking Of their first meeting at the
brook side, and the handsome, eager face
which had looked at ner there, of the
sunny mornings and the dewy evenings
when she had wandered with him
through shady woods and green lanes; Of
her sO-called marriage day, with its de-
lirium Of love; of the happy months she
had spent with him, and then of the ira
gedy at Beechgrove, where he had told
her she was not his wife.
Oh, dark, handsome face, lying up
raised with the damp of death upon it;
never more would its comeliness and
beauty lead anyone to love. The moon
light seemed to speak to her of the times
she had rested her head on his breast
oh, false and cruel love that had slain
her.
She heard the great clock at the stables
ring out one. One" She knew how
the moOnbeams fell, and she could, in i'm
agination, hear the faint, hoarse cry for
help.
wood; the moon was at its brightest, and
rode with queenIy grace in the sky. The
ferns would be shining with dew, and the
grass wet with it. The wind had fallen
and sighed as it shivered through the
leaves.
Three o'clock. He had lain there an
other hcrr-an hour which she had spent
in steadfast watching and he had spent
In hoIr nj 10 null
even one inch on the ground. -Four o'clock
struck. And the strokes fell, one by one,
like strokes of doom on the quivering air.
Five o'clock. Oh, heaven! how long
the night was. how the weary hours
dragged! 1t seemed to her that she had
been there for weeks The moonlight
had changed with the golden light of the
morn. She knew just how the birds were
singing in the trees around him, peeping
from between the branches with bright
eyes. The wild flowers would shrink
with horror from the object that lay
there, and he, hearing the songs of the
birds, would perhaps remember the time
when he had been good and stainless.
Six. All nature seemed awake. She
could hear the lowing Of the cattle in
the meadows, and the chorus Of the birds
sweet. The flowers all awakened to an
other day of sweet autumn bliss. And
he-wOuld he close his eyes with weari-
ness and pain, or would they wear that
tired, worn expression that was like the
shadow of pain?
Seven o'clock struck, and she shivered
as with mortal cold her eyes burned,
and she longed for rest. She thought Of
~ -
watched the whole night through while
the man she loved was broken ON the
wheel.
She was taking her just revenge, she
said to herself; and yet she could not
have rested her head for one moment IN
the white pillows; she could not have
slept while he lay dying so near.
Eight o'clock. and the busy household
began TO stir. Was he living or dead?
Soon as she could she would go to him.
All, there was the voice of Lady Est
mere, asking to be admitted.
Carefully opening her door, the duchess
took Lady Estmere's hand and led her
back to her own room.
II will come with YOU" she said. "You
look very i'll. You should not have risen.
What is the matter?'
When they were in Lady Estmere's
room she threw her arms round the state
ly figure OF the duchess, and laid her
head on her neck.
BE kind TO me- she said, wistfully.
81 am very i'll and very unhappy. Sir
Hubert has not returned yet; and | am
quite at a loss what to do"
No; nor would he ever return: for his
struggle must have ebbed away with his
h.. .s.f4
words Of comfort to this weeping woman
whose beautiful head would never more
rest on her husbands breast.
The duke sent the keepers last nigAt
TO Durnton. and they have been at work
all night but they could find no trace
of him"
Irene touched to the very heart by
the sad face and pathetic voice, bent
down and kissed her.
IF l knew what to say, my dear, l
would say it; bu; do not. You must go
TO my husband"
You are sorry for me?' said Lady
EstmoT5.
Yes" said the duchess, with sudden
flush and sudden trembling. yes, am
sorry for you"
She FASTENED back to her own room and
was soon dressed in the most exquisite
taste. As she stood before the mirror
watching Marcia arrange the rich laces
and beautiful folds OF her morning dress,
she said 70 herself. over and over again:
He is dying now; and one word from
me might save him; one word, only one
word, and they would t't to him: they
would raise him aud pour wine between
his lips they would carry him home on
litter; they would surround him with love
aud care; they would send for the most
clever doctors; they would spare no pains
10 restore him. His wife would devote
herself 20 him; she would nurse him by
night and by day. and he would be SO
grateful 20 her she would love him
doubly Al, no. this one word l will
never sneak. he tried 70 Kill my fair
name. my innocent Soul-let him die"
At the breakfast table all the faces
were much graver and great anxiety was
expressed when il was known that Sir
Hubert had not been heard of-eyidently
there was something more serious than
love adventure. Bur looking a- the
pale. distressed face Of his young wife.
Jhcy would not give expression 60 any
of the doubts they felt Il would be
an right they would hear Of him by noon.
Jhov said
The gentlemen were walking about
some alone. some talking bUSily osey
what seemed 10 he @ tragedy. when they
wero az startled hy the bark of dog
a pretty white deg. who came lelpimg
and bar&icg ia the midst of the tircie
with less respect than had they had been
80 MANY phca~aats. some laughed some
moved away, aut The Duchess of Bayar3
sank back ina her seat. pale as death AID
trembling IN every Gmb. She knew the
dos i was her own, oeau0fui, pettei
little animal given 90 her by the duke:
and She bad missed il since mogniag; and
now 81 was here with. surely blood
stained handkerchief lied found his neck.
Oh. heaven what could X mcans Ia an
instaut and Ike a fash OF lightning. il
came home 20 her, that wonderful iruth.
The dos must have followed her INTO the
woods. ana have found Sir Hubert. She
,srr..,r-, ls..--.r e-s,- sffrn She hrf seem HIM