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

have supported his gray head upon my
arm had not she to whose mysterious
beauty / attributed his seizure come for
ward and prevented ME.
Let his head lie as low as possible"
she said; that is the right way in
fainting fit, if only people knew it."
She would have sprinkled a few drops
of water on the forehead of the uncon-
scious man, but Paula stepped between
her and the sofa.
mo, you shall not touch him. 1t was
the sight of you which made him ill.,
she cried angrily. "y'erence, tell her to
go~
Even at this moment Uncle Wilfrid
opened his eyes dazedly. They turned
to Miss Hope. Never had l seen such
look upon my uncle's face. The light
of long-vanished youth shone out of his
eyes. 1t was a traAsfguration.
Still he did not speak, and saw, with
a vague thrill Of repuision, that the Cor
gon features OF Miss Trail were we'll
nigh tremulous with an eagerness of ex-
pectation.
Il very much regret il my presence has
distressed Sir Wilfrie Amory." Miss
Hope answered Paua's TRADE with an
exquisite humility. I will go, of course.
Come, Miss Trail"
mo; beg of you, do not gor' said my
uncle, imploringly. Terence, give me
an arm, and l will rise. l am quite right
again, and must apologize to every one
for making a ridiculous exhibition of my
self VIII you be so Kind as to give me
glass of waeerT
He looked at Miss Hope, who still held
the jug from which she would have sprin-
kled his forehead, anG now she made
movement to obey him, but Paula quick
ly stretched out her band and took the
vessel from her, at the same time catch
ing up a glass. The girl did not attempt
to resist, but only turned her eyes, with
a pleading sweetness, 20 those of my I'M
Gle.
will you not give it to me?' he asked.
Paula, you forget yourselfp'
Miss Hope poured the water from the
jug into the glass. She went down on
one knee, her left hand on the arm of
the sofa, so close as almost TO touch his
hair.
He looked straight into her eyes. His
hand fingered in taking from her the
glass of water which she offered
you are Miss Hope, and a friend of
my nephew, Mr.. Darkmore, are you not"
he asked.
Yes, we are acquaintances, at least"
she replied. And her voice, and the look
with which she met him, were soft and
gentle as those of a child. I'VE came
across each other unexpectedly to-day.
He will have told you that, and l was
glad to think l should meet you, Sir
Wilfrid. / could not bear to go out of
the room until you were yourself again,
and | might hear you say it was not my
fault that you were liz Indeed, / can't
see what l did. Please tell me it was
not l."
I'm afraid 1 couldn't tell you that
with truth" said my uncle. But it was
assuredly not your fault. Only the fault
of a resemblance to one who was very
dear to me. When | came in at the door
and saw you, it was as though the clock
of time had been suddenly turned back
a quarter OF a century. Terry, l think
you will bear me witness that never, in
all the years you have known me, did l
so disgrace myself before"
81 am quite ready to give my evidence
as to that" | returned cheerfully, "and
so. l should think, is Paula"
| wished to bring her back to his rec
objection. for, though she had been ac-
lively rude, | could noE but be sorry for
the girl. Her face was scarlet from
brow to chin with anger and humiliation.
Miss Trail, closely accompanied by the
mongoose, was now ostentatiously engag-
ed i'll picking up the flowers, plates, silver
and broken glass with which my sudden
spring TO my uncle's rescue had strewn
the floor.
Il shall be glad of eli the evidence in
my favor" said Sir Wllfrid, still smiling
at Miss Hope. II don't wish to pose as
an emotional sensatiOnalist, although |
find the role of invalid an agreeable one.
Never until to-day have | completely re-
allied the compensation life allows to an
old man."
The girl blushed little. and gently
withdrew the hand that held the glass.
Il am so glad you are better" she muir
INJURED, rising from hee knees.
A discreet tap at the door was follow
ed by the entrance OF a sleek, middle
aged waiter, who bore in both hands a
generous soup tureen.
There has been little accident" ex-
claimed Miss Trails unctuous voice.
The room isn't very large, you see, and
ladies' skirts in these days are respon-
sihle for a good deal"
She looked up with slanting eyes at me
for approval of her strategic statement,
and ! needed no more to assure me that
Miss Trail would rather tell a falsehood
than the truth. She would not draw the
line at necessary lies" but would manu-
facture unnecessary ones for sheer en-
5oyment Of it.
Paula. there's an end to our anxiety
now" l sail. with an effort Uncle
Wilfrid is sitting up. and quite himself
again. You naust consider yourself host
ess please, and Miss, Hope aud Miss
Trail are your guests.
In few minutes we were seated round
the table. as though nothing had hap
pened Uncle Wilfrid seemed perfectly
well again. and talked with a lightneSs of
wit and an ABANDONMENT OF the sadness
that habitualy clothed him as with
garment, which was nething less than a
revelation to me.
MY nephew says that you and be met
to-day in the Abbey grounds" he said
TO Miss Hope. WAS it merely the Curl
oslty Of a sightseer. may | ask, which
attracted you to the Sid place, or was
this nos your first VISIT"
1T was not my first siSit." she return
ed lightly, although tie first for years.
My childhood holds SOME recollection OF
Lors Abbey and walks about the neigh
borhOod: aud. do you know. Sir Wilfrid,
the house has always had the most won
derful charm for me. l would give
oh, hardly know wha2 wouldn't gire.
10 live at Lorn Abbey. II were rich.
should buy the place snd have ii made
fresh snd beautiful. without in the least
I'll saf.a 49, j
was making all kinds Of delightful cas-
tie-in-the-sir sort Of plans when l was
Wandering about the grounds to-day
what l should do If 4 had plenty of
money"
1T sounds very brutal 70 listen to your
desires, and then 70 announce that l am
thinking Of buying Lora Abbey myself
said Sir Wilfrid. hut you have only 20
tell me your plans for the place to see
them carried out My mind is blank
as ro~ars3S nro4snr inana0yemputS and /