Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-06-24
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER Nv.
Miss Trail paused in the act Of slip
ping her treasure into a place of SAFETY.
and stared amazedly at the Woman in
Gray.
You must be madl" she said harsh
~. "As though We could ever part! But
don't go too far. Take care what you
say. what you do, or l may"
you may do what you will. Injure
me, if you choose; ruin yourself. For
you know very well that you fall with
my fall! But give me that envelope"
With a burst of hoarse sobbing Miss
Trail threw the object of the dispute
far from her across the floor.
Have your own way, you quixotic
fool. your she CALCULATED, through her
scalding tears. But warn you, you
shall never know another easy moment
under this roof. win see SIR Wilfrid.
/ will tell him how he has BEEN decei-"
Consuelo's eyes burnt a scornful re-
proach into hers.
Then with a swift step OF two Miss
Hope bent and raised the now crumpled
envelope from the floor.
Looking straight at her companion, she
tore open the end and drew out the fold
gu parchment NnlNn a SHUT tiAuc ONASAS
had been slipped in by Miss Trail
st is as l thought" she said. How
could you, Naomi? And you swore to me
that it was not you who had taken it!
Mr.. Darkmore, l am only anticipating
what, lately, l have meant some day to
do. This piece of parchment is for you"
While still stood, half-bewildered, she
had placed the parchment in my hand.
l knew now that it was the chart"
which she had taken from the bosom of
her dress to examine that first night, be-
fore we went through the gathering dark
ness to the grave of Florence Haynes.
II can not understand you," 1 exclaim-
ed. Il don't know why you should say
that this is mine. And 1 beg that you
viii let me give it back to you. without
even glancing at it again"
She potioned it away with a strange
half-smile that was partly sad. wholly in
applicable.
Study it, if you are WISE" she said,
Sin connection with other things"
AS she spoke there was a light tap at
the door, and, drawing a portiere aside
Consuelo revealed to us a footman.
''Sir Wilfrid's compliments, and will
Miss Hope allow him to bring Mr.
Haynes Haviland to her in her boudoir?
Sir Nilfrid would not trouble Miss Hope,
but Mr.. Haynes Haviland had news
which he would be glad to talk over IN
her presence and Mr.. Darkmore's.
Consuelo stood as if transfxed for an
instant, looking wonderfully tall and
straight, while her tightly closed lips
trembled. But she answered in her nat
ural tones:
please tell Sir Wilfrid that l viii re-
ceive Mr.. Haynes Hayiland."
Uncle Wilfrid and Haynes-Haviland
arrived. The latter questioned me, with
show of solicitude, about my wound,
and thoughtfully drank the tea that Con-
suelo gave him.
Something which Mr.. Haynes-Hayi-
land told me downstairs has surprised me
greatly" said Uncle Wilfrid. He in
forms me that he and Paula were en-
gaged-that some weeks before her dis
appearance she had promised to be his
wife,"
"You see, Mr.. Darkmore, felt l must
speak to Sir Wilfrid and yourself of the
relations had borne to Paula. believe
that she has been done to death. | want
ed you to know that there was one even
more interested than yourselves in the
seareh-more passionately eager for its
success. l crave your help, and it has
struck me. Sir Wilfrid, that not enough
| is being DONE"
Il trust that you are mistaken there"
said my uncle, with dignity. Mr.. and
Mrs. Annesley had already sent for a
detective before l was even informed of
the need, and Mr.. Marland has the Fepu-
tation of being one of the shrewdest, most
reliable men in the force. l am employ
ing him upon another matter as well,
which may possibly he seems to think,
be more or less connected with my niece's
disappearance. He already knows this
neighborhood, and it was he who brought
home the guilt of murder to one whom it
was your misfortune at one time to
know"
Il grant that he is said 20 be clever,
but yet-not a single clew does he appear
TO have found
Go be continued)