Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-03-31

CHAPTER XII.

who, he said, wished to visit the asylum,
and as a young physician of his acqdaint-
ance had just commenced practicing
there, it would be a good opportunity for
them to go orer the building. To this my
aunt made no objection, merely propos-
ing that Ada, too. should go. Afterward
remembered the peculiar look in Her
bert's eye as he replied, "Oh, fy. moth
er, Ada's nerves are not strong enough
to endure it. She can go with me some
other time
Accordingly, when breakfast was over,
Anna went up TO her room to make the
necessary preparations for her ride, while
l stood by and gave her whatever assist
ance she needed. l observed that every
article which belonged TO her was put in
its proper place, but | gave it no further
heed, though l did wonder why she kiss
ed me so often, turning back even after
she had reached the door to bid ME an
other goodbye. Slowly the day passed
away and night came on, dark, cold and
stormy. | listened to the sound OF the
gleet and hail, which drove past the
window, where l had watched SO long
for their return. Seven, eight, nine, ten
had rung from more than one church
dome, and then we gave them up, for
the shrill whistle of the last train on
which they would be likely to come had
long since sounded in our ears.
They must have stayed somewhere;
don't you think soY' said my aunt adj
dressing her husband, who. man-like,
was not in the least alarmed, but sat
coming his evening paper, nearer asleep
than awake"
'Of course they have" said he, look
ing up at his wife's inquiry. Il wouldn't
come in this storm, if l were in their
places"
That night I watered my pillow with
tears, scarcely knowing why ! wept,
save that | felt oppressed with sense
of desolation, as if Anna was gone from
me forever The next day came and
went, but it brought no tidings of the
missing pair, and half unconscious of
what she was doing, my aunt went from
room to room, sometimes weeping and
again Frightening up, as she enumerat-
ed the many things which might have
prevented their return. At evening Ada
came in, and my aunt Immediately be-
gan urging her to spend the night. This
she did willingly, seeming very anxious
concerning the absence of Herbert, and
feeling, | was sure, a little suspicious
that | might know more of his where
abouts than l chose to tell, for once,
when we were alone, she turned toward
me and very haughtily asked if Il had
any idea where they were?
None whatever" said l, and she con-
tinued:
HAS it never occurred to you that
this Anna Lee manifested altogether too
marked preference for a gentleman
whom she knew to be engaged?"
THE preference was mutual re-
Piled Herbert liked Anna, and Anna
liked Herbert"
And they have gone off to consum-
mate that liking by a marriage" inter
rupted Ada.
81 do not know that they have" | re
turned; but such termination of affairs
would not surprise me-"
She was very pale, and there were
tears in her eyes; but / thought they
arose more from sense of modification
than from any real love which she bore
for Herbert Langley, and so L did not
pity her as l should otherwise have done
The>next morning at breakfast both she
and my aunt looked weary and worn, as
If neither had slept at all during the
night. My uncle, on the contrary, seem
ed unmoved. He probably had an opin-
ion of his own, but whatever it was he
kept it to himself, merely saying that if
the Eastern mail brought no letter he
would go in quest of them himself. l
knew | could not study in my present
excitement and so l asked permission TO
remain at home. Stationing myself at
the window, | watched anxiously for the
return of Herod, who, as usual, had been
sent to the office. He came at last,
bringing his pocket full of letters, TWO
of which were for me, one postmarked
Sunny Bank and the other Albany. With
a trembling hand l tore open the latter,
which was in my sisters handwriting
CHANGING at the signature, my fears were
confirmed, for there stood the name of
anna Langley" in Herbert's bold, dash
ing hand.
The letter contained no apology from
either for what they had done, but mere
~ informed me of the fact that instead
of stopping in Worcester. they had gone
straight to Albany, where in less than
an hour they were husband and wife;
Herbert's old comrade, Tom Wilson. ac-
companying them, and being witness of
the ceremony. What affected me more
unpleasantly than all the rest was the
ierisive manner in which Herbert spoke
of Ada.
Give her my love" he said. land tell
her not to feel too badly. I'd like well
enough to marry her. too but under the
present laws man can't have two wives,
unless he joins the Mormons. Maybe l
shall do that some time, and then IN re-
member her.
OF his mother he wrote differently, and
though there was no bringing, no ac-
acknowledgement of wrong. he spoke of her
kindly and respectfully, saying he hoped
she would love his Anna for his sake"
OF course l could not tell Ada what
he said of her. neither was it necessary.
for guessing the truth from my face,
she came up softly behind me. and look
ing over my shoulder, read every word
until she came to the message intended
for her. Then stamping her little foot,
she exclaimed passionstely, THE villain.
TO Insult me thus, As if l, sprung from
the best blood of Georgia. would stoop 10
become rival of that low-horn country
girli No, BY this act Herbert Langley
has shown that he is all unworthy of me.
aud l rejoice in my escape, while / give
polished bride"
All my Lee temper. which is consid-
cradle. was reused. and turning toward
the lady, / exclaimed: My sister. Miss
Montrose. is as good as you. ay. or as
Herbert Langley, either. and the news CT
her marriage with him will carry sorrow
To our home at Sunny Bank. where they
will say she has literally thrown herself
away"
Very likely" returned Ada. sarcas-
tically. 1T is quite probsble that poor
laborer will object 10 his daughters mar
rying into one Of the first families in
Boston"
He isn't a poor laborer." I replied |
'and even if he were. he would object To |
his daughters marrying a drunkard. for |
such he viii be again"
4 deep grosn came from the white lips |
Of my aunt, and for the first time since /
Ada's outbreak. | remembered thar she 1