Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-01-15

had seen her, and though her glOved
fingers, as they skinned over the ice
hand in hand, were fiery hot and dry
| like burning wood.
"Faster-faster," she said, putting
fresh energy into every flying step,
until the landscape on either side
swan past in a blurred grey mass
and the keen air dashed their faces
! like a scourge. Her hot hand clasped
his with a tighter grip, the movements
! Of her 1.-THE body showed more aban-
don at every step; and when she in
Dictated with her disengaged hand a
| tiny baJ on their right where the bare
trees grew close down to the lakes
edge AID the untrOdden snow still lay
thick upon the ice, her eyes gIowed
with such a fierce lustre, the express
sion Of her face was SO instinct with
some fiery unknown yearning as she
Slackened her speed and turned to her
companion with a bright laugh and
an affectation of being fatigued by her
eXertions, that Armathwaite thought
she might have stood, with her golden
hair disOrdered by the wind and her
hungry luminous eyes, for picture Of
the destroying angel bearing a plague
torch over some death-stricken city.
Let US rest here she said, languid-
ly; Il am tired"
| But the doctor saw no sign of phys
/ ical fatigue in her blooming face, in
her elastic movements; and his previ-
Gus experience of the ladys wiles
made him by no means anxious for
another tete tete with her. He shook
his head in a gravely professional
manner.
mo" he said; Il cannot allow you
to rest now. 1t would be absolutely
dangerous after having come along so
fast. We must return at a slower
pace, and by the time you reach the
marquee it will be safe for you to rest
little after your eXertions."
He looked at her frankly as he
! spoke, while she examined his face on
! her side in establishment mingled with
anger. He could not say to her in so
many words: Lady KildOnan, I don t
known what object you have in
view, but | am not going to help to
further il without knowing what it is; .
! but it was quite clear that he mistruSt-
! ed her, and that her own feverish ex-
liberation had not infected him to the
extent Of making him lose his head.
| She laughed as it seemed to him
rather inadvertently, and then there
INT oh
swift glance at him before taking his
hand for the return journey, a moment
airy expression Of paralyzed fear, like
that in the eyes of a shrew-mOuse
caught in the hand among the grass
and brambles of a country hedgerow.
Armathwaite's heart gave a leap of
pity; to see woman, and a beautiful
woman, look up at him with abject
| fear was so painful that, if she had but
known it, the moment was come when
if would have needed only a word, a
sob, for her to have disarmed him for
ever Fortunately for his freedom of
action, she did not know her opportun-
ity, and the next moment her hypoc-
risy was emphasized by the fact that
Ishc started to return at exactly the
pace at which they had come They
exchanged very few words as they
sped over the ice On their way back
to the marquee, where Lord Kildonan
broke off in a kindly talk with Alma
Crosmont, to fetch a warm velvet
mantle which with his own hands he
wrapped tenderly round his wife
Il see you are quite a first-rate per
former" he said to Armathwaite.
Nov take Mrs. Crosmont a little
way. She looks as if she wanted
warming terribly. And then, when the
snow comes down, which will be with
in ten Tninutes if I am a Judge of the
weather, you bring her up to The
Crags whether she likes it or not
mind, I say whether she likes it or
not-mind, I say whether she likes it
not"
ooh, Mrs. C.Osmont will not honor
The Crags with her pres nce-at least
she viii not for my asking" cried
Lady Kiidonan with high, cold voice.
1T is of no use to try to persuade her,
I assure you"
Again Armathwaite noted a look of
fear in her face as she glanced at AL
ma. But this time it was fear that
seemed, by the steeIy fash of her blue
eyes, to be so nearly akin to hatred.
that the impulse of pity it evoked in
his heart was not for her but for Alma
who flushed at the hard tone without
seeing the look which went with it.
you ought to have skated with me
first, for you will find me a very poor
performer after Lady Kildonan." said
she as they started.
This was true. Though she skated
very fairly, Alma had neither the
grace, the speed, the da. ing. nor the
robust health Of the beautiful blonde
who WAS so anxious to pose as an in
valid. The touch Of her hand through
her glove was cold and almost damp
and the clasp of her fingers, after the
firm, feverish grip of Lady Kildonan's
was pitifully weak and clinging.
Come" he said gently, looking
down at the pale face to which excite.
ment was already bringing a sheIl-like
flush, give me your other hand too
and step out boldly. l won't let you
fall"
She was weak and nervous at first
afraid 70 trust her own little feet: but
gradually the firm, helpful touch OF
his hand, the feeling that she was
safe with him gave her confidence
and by the time they had gone halt
the distance he had reached with his
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