Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-04-07
CHAPTER XIV.

I
husband. who, day after day, made rapid
strides down the road to death.
CHAPTER XIV.
The long summer days had merged in
to autumn whose hazy breath fioated
like misty veil over the distant hills.
Here and there busy hands and feet
were seen gathering in the autumnaI
stores. Or, Herbert's farm, however,
there was a look Of decay. The yellow
corn and golden pumpkins were yet in
the field; the apples lay in heaps upon
the ground; the gates swung loosely III
the wind; while the horses, uncared for
| and unfed, neighed piteously in their
stalls Alas! their master was drunk
! ard. Anna was drunkards wife, and
mine drunkard's home. 1t was no long
er secret there, and the old men shook
! their heads, while the young men sighed
TO think how he had fallen. Night after
night we sat up for him, my sister and l
lifting him from 1.-THE threshold across
which he would fab, and bearing him to
his bed, where we would lay him be-
side his innocent son, whose blue eyes
often opened with wonder at being thus
disturbed.
Bank for a few weeks to be present at
the bridal Of my oldest sister. Anna,
too was urged to accompany me: bet
she declined, extorting from me a prom
| ise that if ii were possible l would not
divulge the real state of things 'Tell
them l am happy, and do not regret what
| have done,' said she, as she followed
me down TO the gate.
~ ba faf 4hn
woman's love, and what punishment
shall be sufficient for him who wantonly
tramples upon it? / wondered if /
should ever love as she did. Involuntar-
lily the doctor rose up before me-a
drunkard, and l his wife, and from my
inmost soul / answered, Rather death
than thatw Then( though | blushad as
did so, | fancied myself the wife of
1.-THE dark man." and he a drunkard.
Yes, l could bear that | said and lust
there the car door opened and the subject
of my meditations stood before me.
There was no installing him. The same
tall, manly form, the piercing eyes, the
coal black hair, and the same deep cut
between the eyebrows. | knew him in a
moment, and an exclamation of surprise
escaped my lips. The seats were nearly
all occupied, and as he passed down the
aisle, my readers, | trust, will pardon
me if ! did gather up the skirt of my
dress and take my travelling bag upon
my lap, while myself sat nearer to the
window, looking out in order to hide my
face.
rs this seat occupied, miss?7 said a
heavy voice which seemed to come from
some far-off region.
NO, sir" l answered, timidly, with
cut venturing to turn my head. uril
felt myself uncomfortably crowded: then
looked around. and behold the dark
stranger was sitting behind me near the
door, while at my side was man of
mammoth dimensions. with immense
mustache, watery eyes aud q brandy
breath favored with tobacco.
He was exceedingly loquacious. ard for
several hours piled me with questions as
to my own name, my parents, my grand,
parents, my brothers, my sisters, cur
standing in the world, our religion and
our politics At length just as it was
growing dark, he gathered up his huge
proportions. and to my great joy bid me
adieu.
About nine o'clock we stopped for re-
freshments, and on re-entering the cars,
found to my Joy that the dark stran-
gers seat was appropriated. This time
the fates were propitious. for after look
ing around him awhile, the stranger ask
ed permission to sit by me. 1t was quite
dark where we sat, and the night lamp
burned but dimly so he did not once OBJ
tain a full view of my face. He proved
most agreeable and attentive compan-
ion, opening and shutting the window
just as often as / evineed an inclination
to have him, holding my satchel in his
lap, placing his own travelling trunk at
my feet for footstool. and offering me
his fur-lined overcoat for a pillow. At
almost every station, too, he asked IF
wished for anything" but | did not. ex-
! cept indeed to know whether he was yet
the husband of Ada Montrose. At last
he made some remark about the country
through which we were passing, and
replied that II believed it was not the
first time he had been over that road, as,
| if l mistook not. l saw him in the cars
with his wife the year before"
The wrinkle in his forehead grew deep
err and his face flushed as he said,
quickly. Il do not remember of meeting
YOU before. though l was here last fall.
bat not with my wife, for l have none.
1t was my ward. Miss Montrose."
Nothing could have given me more sat
isfaction than this announcement, Tor if
Ada were his ward, it explained. in
measure. his attentions 10 her; and as
cast stolen glanees al him. | felt more
and more convinced that there could be
no affinity between him and the naughty.
| imperious girl to whom he was guardian.
Ii seemed 10 me very short time ere he
arose. and Offering me his hand, said
! he must so, adding, we shall undoubt-
eddy meet again, as | occasionally travel
this way"
II was nearly noon of the next day
when | reached Sunny Bank. where /
found my father at the depot, waiting to
receive me. found them all busted with
the preparations for Juiiet's wedding,
which took place within a week after
my return, l officiating as bridesmaid.
After Juliet had left US for her new
home. In an adjoining town. there ensued
ar our house season of lonely quiet, in
which we scarcely knew whether 10
| laugh or 10 err. There is always some
thing sad in the giving up Of a daugh-
ter 10 the care of another. and SO my
parents found L. particularly my faith
or. who. broken in spirit and feeble in
health. was unusually cast down.
During my journey back % kockiand
did not again meet with the stranger,
although / looked for aim at every sta
ton. | had expected Herbert TO meet
me bnt he was MOI there. was Just
wondering what | should DO in case he
failed TO come. when my attention was
attracted toward tan. athletic looking
young man who was Inspecting my trunk,
which stood upon the platform. He ixed
upon me a pair of sinsularly handsome
hazel eyes. while az the same time there
swept over me a strange. underlined feel
/ ing as IL somewhere. IN a dream, per
chance. had met that glsnce before.
Are You Miss I.eeg' he asked. and
the tones Of his voice thriller me Ike
an echo of the past
/ replied In the Affirmative: aad WITH
out once taking his eyes from NV face.
he said. Il am Henry Watson. Mr..