Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-02-14
CHAPTER X.
FACE TO FACE

A dark winter afternoon. snow falling
| fast on the London streets outside Dr.
| Egerton's house. Within all was com
fort and cheerfulness, as far as inanimate
! things were concerned, though faces were
sad and hearts were heavy.
They were all together in large room
bright with firelight-Martin Inglesant
and his wife, DR. Egerton. Renee, Mar.
quise de PEsparre, Sheila and the faith
full Margot. The sorely- tried girl, whom,
they still called Rosamond, could no
longer be beguiled from the recollection
of her sorrows, though the respite gained
had saved her reason. Frail as a broken
flower, she reclined amongst her pillows.
The apathy of despair seemed to have
fallen upon her at times. Always, she
was subdued, as if all her strength was
spent. She sat now amongst the friends
she loved, with Sheila close beside her :;
but they a.! knew her thoughts were far
| away with one who was alone in a
dreary prison room, whom the world re-
garded as a murderer.
Il shall see him tomorrow will
take me to him tomorrow she pleaded,
lifting her blue eyes to the doctors COM
passionate face.
IF You are stronger" he answered.
But l am stronger every day" she
cried, eagerly. "A week yet-seyen
whole days-so much may happen in one
day even. But if he knew how / pray
for him!"
"He does, Rosamond," said the doctor,
gently.
81 want to tell him myself. l want to
tell him-something else. Oh Dare, my
dearest!"
Doctor" Mrs Inglesant whispered,
"she is very i'll today. Is it well to try
her as she must be tried, if you and
Frank carry out your plan?'
"Yes," he replied firmly. "Not only
Dare's life, but her own may depend
upon it."
The old lady sighed apprehensively.
Sheila, with suppressed agitation visi-
bic upon her face, took Rosamond's fraiI
hand in hers.
"Rosamond, dear" she said, gently, Il
want to talk to you"
The girl moved her mead YEARLY upon
the cushion.
I'm so tired" she said.
"But ! want TO ask you something.
Do you remember the day, just before
Christmas. more than year ago, when
you lived at the Chateau D'Auray, and
you expected the marquis, your husband,
to return"
81 was very unhappy" murmured
Rosamond.
Your English governess had gone
away. You were alone but for the serv-
ants and Margot. You had put off your
black dress"
"Yes-yes, he asked me to- l meant
to be a good wife. and obey all his
wishes, did indeed, Sheila. Papa wished
me to marry him, you know"
"You put on your warm cloak with
the sable lining" went on Sheila, land
you went down through the gardens to
the pavilion"
Rosamond, dreamily, 1T was winter;
but the sun was bright when ! went
out"
"You went into the pavilion"-it was
all guess work now-'tand you sat down
there. In your desk, close at hand were
verses and stories that had been written
in that same place, and ore half finished
romance about a girl named Genevievc:
but you were too sad 10 write that day"
81 was thinking of him. Even while
sat there he might have returned" she
shuddered. ''How it all comes back"
And sitting there went on Sheila,
trembling with suspense-"lost in scr
rowful memories and apprehensions''---
Il was crying
"You heard the sound of footsteps,
and, looking up. you saw in the doorway
a woman-a stranger"
go on" whispered Rosamond.
"She was tall, and dark, and very
handsome"
Eyes"
eWhat did she say to you, dearest"
THAT he had sent for me-"
"Who had ?" cried Sheila. almost with
q sob.
My husband"
A dead silence reigned in the room.
Rosamond's faint voice went on slowly:
~He was dying she said "Hc had
met with al accident. She was his sis
ter"
rand you went away with her''