Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-06-03
CHAPTER VIII.

1t was Miss Trail, hideous in black and
scarlet satin-Miss Trail, her idol-eyes
goggling in a wild emotion, her podgy
hands pulling at Miss Hopes gauzy
sleeve.
The Woman in Gray started away
from me.
What do you mean?' she murmured.
Don't stop to ask. Come where l can
talk to you-you must be prepared think
what to do"
Miss Hope, with one backward glance,
allowed the elder woman to lead her
away, still talking rapidly, excitedly,
scarcely taking thought to modulate her
voice.
"Of all people in the world, he has come
just at this moment of success. Can
you meet him safely? Or what is to be
done? II you could get into the conserv-
atory and train yourself to calmness be-
fore he sees you! 1t is those others who
have brought him. Can it be plot?'
Il don't understand you. They he
whom do you mean?" murmured the
beautiful lips.
"Ahl it's too late! They're coming
My first thought was of the masterful
barrister, Tom Gordon, whom, it had
seemed to me, Consuelo Hope either low
ed or feared. l looked round expectant-
ly, but, as my eyes travelled further to-
ward the great open folding doors. could
hardly bring myself to believe what they
told me.
Was it possible that the tall, dark,
beautiful woman pausing between the
hall and the drawing room, leaning on
the arm of some man l could not see,
was Paula?
Yes; there were the Annesleys, just in
front, and as l stood staring at the three,
whom | supposed to be far away in
Italy or France, their names were loudly
announced by one of the bowling footmen:
'Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Annesiey, Miss
Wynne, Mr.. George Haynes Haviland."
They moved up the length of the draw
ing room, where my uncle stood among
the guests, who were disinclined for
dancing. Paula's head held high, def
ant smile on her red lips, yellow satin
draperies billowing around her. diamonds
glittering in her black hair. Her hand
was slipped lightly through the arm of
the man | had seen few hours before
bending over the grave of Florence
Haynes, the murderess-the man whom
had watched afterward until he dis
appeared into the gate of the newly let
cottage, The Nest.
You have chosen to give US sur
prise, Paula" l said in low voice, as
she barely touched my extended hand.
Yes, l suppose il is-rather a surprise
with quick eagle glances round the
room and into the hall beyond. 1--WE
came back to England-er-somewh I'M
expectedly, and heard there was TO be a
bah. 1t seemed hardly necessary for
me TO wait fer an invitation. did it -
Not il yOu choose TO come"
Besides. Mr.. ard Mrs. Annesley. who
are fond of the river, and know | like
it. have taken a cottage in the neighbor-
hood 1t is called The Nest"
''Ah, Then il was you l saw at the
window there in red gown this after
noon:n
did you see some one? If you nad
recognized me or Mrs. Annesley. then it
would have spoiled the effect. would
not have missed this for anything. By
the way. let me make you and Mr.
Haynes Haviland known TO each other.
Mr.. Haynes HaviIand is the gentleman
Of whom Uncle Wilfrid bought Iorn
ALNe1 tdSA dHAalius uut ne HAS @NASA ~
his name since then. for family reasons.
We met at Nice. and he came back with
us 10 England few days ago"
! knew now why Paula had chosen TO
bring this man to England in her trail,
why she smiled az him. with beguiIing in
her eyes She had made up her mind
that he we'll &c able to recognize the
, Woman in Gray. He was the stepson
or an ex-seSvant. That alone. | thought.
! would have been enough 10 ban him in
! heT eyes, bad she had nothing 10 gain
fre1s his Acquaintance. Now she was
stiif leaning on his arm. with a certain
air OF confidence and good-fellovShip.
.srncle Wilfrid has told me that he i
ready and willing 10 forget Paula said,
looking mp at me With peculiar burning
glance. Il asked him. though il was
hard. for | don't Ike humiiiatlng myself
New I ask yoa--wia you do the sameT
GLADLY. II yeu consider thar / have
/ anything 10 forgive you
'sNot that mean 10 beg Uncle Wilfrid
10 take me back" she went on. Il an
emancipated: and. besides. tonight he
has formally and pshlcly filed my place