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

hght OF its lamps fell full upon our faces
AID my Cousin Paula's voice from with
In loudly called my name.
] gave a start OF utter amazement, so
far from my thoughts had Paula been,
50 beyond the bounds of probability SEEM
ed her unexpected presence at this place;
8hen, involuntarily, began to walk rap
5dly, feeling sure that the carriage would
presently stop. For the fraction Of a
second | had forgotten my strange COM
panion. but she brought herself to my
recollection with a light touch upon my
arm.
--Taitr' she said. "Don't go on for a
moment ret. Tell me quickly, who is in
Ahat carriage? Is your uncle, Sir Viii
9rid Amory, there"
y don't know I hurriedly replied.
My cousin. Miss Wynne. called to me.
think in oil probability my uncle is with
her. He would not have allowed her to
come alone. Though what can have
3roGght-"
Remember your promise Now is the
time to carry it out. There's only a mo-
mIent 10 arrange now it shall be done.
See, the carriage is stoppingl invited
you to dine with me this evening at the
~A2. AdAt OdEh ludL lnNlLdIlOn, ana gu
must give me one instead. Will you do
this-for me? All! you are hesitating,
and ! know why. / am a stranger 10
Jou our meeting has been most uncon-
Tentional. You are thinking Of your
cousin"
\ do not at all understand you" L
said: but you put your request in such
way that l must grant it or be mis-
Judged"
Thank you. Then here we part. They
vii wonder at your delay when they
have stopped the carriage for you, but
Jou can easily say that you waited for
a moment to take leave of your friend,
Miss Hope"
As l had expected my uncle's pale pre-
maturely aged face was thrust through
abe carriage window, anxiously watching
for my temperance. Paula had sunk
back against the cushions, doubtless Of
Tended at my delay.
1T is a very welcome surprise, Terry, -
he said, ITO find you apparently well and
unframed"
We'll and unharmed?" / ech,ed blank
". Why, what do you meahYf
Evidently there's been q mistake
and can afford to be very thankful.
our surprise at my words is answer
enough for the moment. and so 1 think
ahe best thing we can do, as the-e won't
be another train to London for 4 couple
Of hours at least, is to go on together to
the inn. where we were hasteaing for
news of You. VIII you tell the driver,
Terry. and then get inside?"
Still somewhat dazed. 1 did as he re-
quested, and took the seat opposite my
Bncle and cousin in the musty vehicle
which they had obtained at the station.
Now" l said, will you explain what
has brought you and Paula down srGu
townf You. as l understand, we've 10
await a wire from me. II 1t appearid
90 me that a great many repairs and inn
movements about the old place were nee
essary. | was to remain, and you were
80 come down. If not, l was to go back
tonight, and"
There's been no mistake so far as all
those arrangements were concerned. But,
before we proceed any further, let me.
ask how you explain this?' And be hand
ed me a telegram without an envelope
I glanced it over by the light of a little
travellers lamp, which my Uncle Wilfrid
was in the habit of carrying with him.
Come at once" l read. Your nephew
has met with an accident. Is at the
Bear Inn. Martenhead."
''Of course l came" said my uncle,
while l continued to stare at the paper
in blank establishment. And, of course,
Paula naturally wished to come with
me"
l was utterly at loss to explain the
telegram, and the discussion which fol-
lowed was fruitless. 1t was almost
relief, therefore, to attempt to satisfy
Paula's yelled curiosity about rny COM
panion. l got out Of this dilemma as well
as l could, and finally gave my invita-
tion, laundering between truth and tie
zion.
The tall clock in the hall of the inn
was striking the quarter after s as
ran down the stairs, from the roora which
was to be mine for the night, and opened
the door OF that W. which our dinner was
60 be served had gravitated instinc-
lively toward the fire, when the whisper
dng Of silken garments caused me to
raise my eyes.
i have come alone. because I heard
you open the door, and peeped ont from
my room. which is opposite this" she
said. Il wanted to say something | had
not time for when / left you. Your 9TH
er friend whom you have so kindly n
Vited to meet your uncle and cousin, 10
my companion Her name is strange
One-Miss Traill--but her face IL stran.
ger still. l want 20 prepare you foi
them both. and don't mind if she brings
with her the only creature she really
'oves in the world. They are never part,
ed for a moment. night or day. You
have kept your promise nobly. ard now.
before anyone comes, l viii keen mine,
When you 80 10 live at Lorn Abby. IS
something tells me that you VII. soon.
take my advice and follow the example
% the poor old woman who wss muir
3ercd there-choose the room in tile clock
tower for your own. Believe rle. she
was wise. and had her reasons for do
ing Sc"
Why should l live in place Haunted
Ry such evil associations" I asked.
when there must be so many bright.
pleasant untainted rooms in the house,"
Because in that room alone, you viii
be able to learn and profit b5-your
ostechism"
-My cateehismr' echoed Supply.
Hush, someone is coming. Il is Miss
TrajNs'
With the strange words she had jus;
Uttered ringing in my ears, l turaed. by
NSs OF doing my duty as host. and took
a sep toward the door.
Had l been a few years younger and
less well schooled in the lesson Of self
control. | think l should have started,
and shown my diseompoSure, as ray eyes
fell upon the face Of Miss Trail She
Vas a little woman. with 4 stout. hnnchy
Squire. having a pHzzling suggestion os
hidden deformity about it. So short was
ehe throSt and sunken between ths shout
aers. which protruded forward. that she
appeared TO have none at all. and the
folds OF huge chin fiuted dowu 20 the
curve Of the bosom.
At her side ran and gamhoIlea small
animal. OF sort unknown 10 Inc, but
I hated il at sight II had little rat
AXE head, spindljng tail, snd body
uhssh fo.st-A3 r~rnSS in r-,nor4ss,- ~