Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-25
CHAPTER XI

The day came at last when Sir HUI
bert Estmere was TO make Lady Lira
Gerant his wife, a day ushered in with
song of bird and the sweetest whispers
the wind could give.
There was one little incident that the
papers failed to relate, for the simple
reason that they did not know it, If they
had done so, that one incident would
have caused a second sensation. 1t was
this: On the morning of her wedding day,
Lady Lira received by post great num-
Der of letters and parcels. One among
others drew her attention particularly,
because it was queerly shaped and sealed
in black.
Sealed with black-an evil omen for
Wedding day. she said TO herself. as she
chose it from the others to open.
Lady Lira drew her chair nearer to
her superb toilet table as she sat down
to open the parcel.
ITO ssve time" she said to her maid,
you ian brush my hair While l read
this"
She broke the black seal. There was
small box; she opened that, and saw
a small. pretty, jeweled dagger, made of
silver. with a tiny handle of pearl, and
over it was written those few words:
War to the knife!'
She did not recognize the handwriting;
it was quite strange to her; the slender.
Italian hand of lady. She took up the
little dagger. and looked at it. What
could it mean? Who had sent il?
Surely" thought the beautiful heiress.
II have no foes, no hidden foe. who hates
me, and who has sent me this; why
should anyone declare war to the knife
with me? | have injured no one; | have
never done an unkind action or said an
unkind word. What can it mean? Ii is
an evil omen for my wedding day--a
dagger. a black seal, and a threat. II
will take many jewels 10 make me forget
this. | will save it, | will wear il some
times. and so may find out who sent it.
Put tss.V IN my dressing case" she said
70 lisf maid. do not lnfaSten it agaia"
EVesy enc agrsed that although the
bridegroom wos so fortunate, he did not
look his best on his wedding day. Ii
was a great thing to have secured the
hand of one OF the richest heiresses in
England, the daughter OF England's
brightest statesman. VII oSe mod meant
place" Yet Sir Hubert did not look
as happy as. under the circumstances. he
ought TO have looked.
His face was pale; his manner had
something OF anxiety in it. More than
one remarked that he looked round fire.
quently as though he expected something
or someone that never came. For how
could be help it? The whole time. every
moment. in his own mind. he was going
through the details Of that false mar
risge. the pretended marriage with he
Girl whom be had never intended 10 make
his wife.
The beautiful words Of the marriage
service fell clear aud distinct, for the
second time in his life be said them: the
FIRST time bad been IN mOckery when he
tried his best to ruin : pure and heanti-
mi soul: this time he was in terrible
earnest and he realized il - time went
en-
More than once. as the ceremony pro-
ceede}, ne turned round suddenly with
something Of fear in his face. he remem
5ered rhst vow Of Ireae's well. anG he
wondered 50 often hox i woali be fcl-
filed Suppose that as they emerged
from the church door. they should meet
Irene-Ireae. her beautiful face ziame
with vengeance. He shuddered at the
bare idea Of il. then laughed az himself
for his folly No. Irele could never be