Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-12-29
CHAPTER VIII

Perhaps, if Mrs. Hackett had had but
time to think Of it, there was nobody by
whom she would rather have been found
in n situation so painful and humiliat-
ing. since il was fated that she should
be discovered at all. Ned Blame, TO her
mind, was wise, tender, discreet and
brave-and that is not a combination of
characteristics at all to be looked for in
every young man who may by chance
surprise a woman in distress; and she
was an old friend into the bargain. She
shrank from him. however. in a new dis
tress so acute that for the instant the
pc OF it killed the old one, and she
seemed almost to recover possession Of
herself.
at is nothing" she said. go away.
Mr.. Blame. Leave me. Pray do. / am
going home"
At the first sound of her voice he knew
her, and the tone seemed to enter his
heart like a knife. He discerned a ira
gedy at once.
"NC .ingw he said in voice Of real
anguish. "Oh, yes, dear, there is much
the matter. Tell me can help your?
In all her life she had never heard
the voice of heart in pain until that
moment She had heard the voice of lit
tie sorrows often enough, but here she
was in touch with something terrible
The voice shook her from head to foot
with an instant revelation.
Nothing" she said, breathing uneven
ly and trembling. II am not very well.
and / am foolish. Oh, pray go away.
Mr.. Blame. Let me go home alone.
am better 1t is all over now"
let me see you home" he answered
In a voice suddenly dry and common
place. Il won't distress you by talking.
Take my arm"
She yielded and walked by his side
through the darkness, with a sob catch
ing her breath now and again. There
was enough in the encounter 10 fill both
minds. As for the girl. she knew now
what she had merely guessed before. The
guess had never concerned her greatly
And suddenly she blushed hotly in the
dark. and withdrew her hand from his
arm so swiftly that the motion startled
him. He had called her dear" What
right had he 70 sneak TO her in such a
way? What right had she, a married
woman. 70 take the arm of man who
addressed her i'm such terms?
Il will so home alone. il you please
Mr.. Blame" she s.ld.
'As you please, he said. as colby as
he had spoken last. Your wish is my
law"
There was not touch of gallantry in
the tone. Nothing. indeed. could have
been further away from it. but she dis
liked the words, and slipped away with
chill good night" and thank you"
rlurr,,ttraA no baoH r-bay,
she was dozen PAGES from him He
stood stock Still until her figure was just
melting into the darkness, and then walk
ed otter her. accommodating his pace 10
hers. and merely keeping her in sight
moving shadow. When they left the
grIssy path. and came upon the road OF
hard beaten cinder which marked the BE-
ginning Of the town. she could hea. his
footsteps at distance behind her, and
anew that he was following. She was
YARN with indignation against him now.
and the unlucky word ranked wounding-
". Blame, for his part, was unconscious
OF having used it
The man in possession was in the hail
when she entered, walking up and down.
She escaped upstairs.
Ii was beginning TO grow late TO her
fancy-that is to say. it was nearing 10
o'clock-but she resigned herself 10 a
further waiting OF two or three hours
for her husbands return. She heard his
step on the path and his key at the latch
with a heart which beat half in relief and
half In fear 1t was something 20 have
him back so early; but the news with
which she had to receive him seemed as
shameful TO tel as ii had been to suffer.