Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-06-10

She had reached the place at last. and
was kneeling down beside lit, with her
back turned to me in such 6 way that
could no longer see what she was doing.
| lifted the SOULS again, all the ineffable
spell gone from the hour, and would
have moved on had / not seen another
figure approaching the same spot.
1t was a man, coming from the direc-
ton of the stile where | had yesterday
left the road and walked across the
meadow. At first Miss Hope had evil
IDENTIFY been unconscious that she was
about to be disturbed. But suddenly she
rose up quickly, and, after standing with
a certain curious rigidity in her attitude
for moment, began walking from The
grave and toward the house again
The man, who was hurrying toward
her, with an unmistakable intention to
oVertake her. whether by her will or no,
was no other than Haynes Hayiland.
She fed on before him for few yards,
and then, as if telling herself that escape
was hopeless, she wheeled suddenly, and
stood erect, awaiting his coming. In a
moment or two more he had joined her,
and my heart quickened its beatings as
| watched them.
lie lOOh On his nat. ueE ne uelu out
his hand as though to take hers, and |
saw her, with gesture of rapulsion, put
both hers behind her.
For some minutes they stood talking
quietly together, and at last, just as l
was beginning to think that my interfer-
ence would not be necessary, her right
hand and arm went OUT with quick,
direct movement, as though to push him
away from a threatened closer contact.
Her hand was pressed against his breast.
holding him at arms length, the other
still behind her. But l waited to see no
more. Without even stopping to moor
the boat, l made one leap for the shore,
sprang up the low bank and ran toward
them.
She was struggling with him now, and
/ thought he was trying to snatch the
hand which she held behind her back
but, though she was in deadly earnest in
her wish to free herself, not cry did she
utter. She was not the sort of woman
to scream in emergencies.
Both figures were turned to me in pro-
file, and l was within a few yards of
them before | was either seen or my foot
falls heard on the soft, dew-wet grass.
AS he started and loosed Miss Hope
at sight of me, my hand was on Haynes
Haviland's shoulder, falling there with
something of the vicious, eager grasp
with which l have seen a cat pounce up
on mouse.
] felt my own physical power as l
pinned him tightly, conscious of yielding
flesh and muscles under my fingers. |
lowered over him by more than half
foot and he appeared a p.tiful. slight
thing to grapple with.
Thank you, Mr.. Darkmorer' she cried.
you have saved me from most I'M
annoyance. This gentleman,
whose very name had never heard until
last night. has behaved with the most
rudeness. / really think
the only charitable explanation of his
conduct is that he is not in his right
mind"
Good heavens, Mr.. Darkmorer' he ex-
claimed; ARE you the strong man of the
county? I've made a mistake, and l
must apologize. But wish you'd been
just one moment later in coiaing up"
You must apologize to this lady, not
to me-" / said. with a species of subdued
savagery; land you shall apologize-here
and nowr'
TO her?" he echoed. ITO her? No
not yet-not till l am sure" And his
eyes shot blue lightning at her. NO
man shall make me do thats'
The insult in his words and in his look
maddened me.
"EIese is a man who means to make
you do So" l said
Hardly had the words left my lips
when | saw in his face that he was
coward. He was afraid of me-afraid
of my superior strength.
''No further discussion il necessary"
he broke out suddenly. Il was wrong.
l will apologize to this lady for any dis
comfort or Inconvenience | may have oc-
casioned her. My excuse. X have any,
lies in the fact But, no. Why dwell
on that? l don'e wish to be on unfrienO-
ly terms with any of Sir Wilfrid Amory's
people. l therefore beg that Miss Hope
will forgive-all that there is to for
give"
ut is enough" she said, with hauteur.
And for Mr.. DarkmoreE'
His face looked like an angels when
he smiled.
"If Miss Hope is satisfied"
Thank you"
lit UVNtQ SAdSCAOAt way
with a sweep of the hand which held his
soft hat, and walked away.
After all, he had contrived a more or
less effective exit. l watched him for
few moments as he went OF across the
field. Then / turned to Mss Hope. and
with a shocF / realized that her proud
bearing had been a sham. She leaned
against tree. with closed eyes, her
cheeks and lips milk white.
"Consuelow l exclaimed. with passion
ate solicitude.
This time she did not repel me. Her
lashes Quivered, rose. and fell again.
Are you going to question mey' she
said. 1T viii be torture if you do; for |
am ut my weakest. Just what you have
saved me from you do not know-nor do
Il. E,.rhs ps. in full. | was not ready for
him, or the crisis ne may bfing with him,
though l hope triuInphantly to be ready.
more than ready, hy-and-by. You came
in a moment OF need. And now l am at
your mercy Question me il you will.
and will answer you. though l repent
it in bitterness throughout the remainder
OF my life"
l gared at her in silence. Then l said.
slowly:
Il ask You no questions, | desire Go
explanations. Don't you know that
love youY
"Yon-love IneT'
Yes. with sill that | email that is
best aud worst in me. all that is maddest
and sanest-wfth my heart and mind and
soul | would live for volt il you would
let me. To die for you would be enough
reasoa for having lived at al"
would have raised Ger hands to my
lips. but her gaze followed them in my
grasp. falling upon the sheath Of pearls.
and with a strange. eerie cry she wrench
ed them from me.
Love IS not for me-5he love OF
woman for a man. | ain vowed TO
cause. What win be the qnd heaven only
knows, But. meanwhile. 20 not think Of
me SIS of a woraan az all; seel toward me
as though. instead Of hesh and blood.
was AS the stuff that dreams are made
Of an idea--sa means toward a great
l.