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

CHAPTER X.
/ was awakened in the morning by my
wife, and, to my surprise, found that
had been sleeping, fully dressed, on a
couch in our bedroom. / sat up and
passed my hand across my forehead, in
the endeavOr to recall how it was that
had entered the room, and, without I'M
dressing, chosen the couch instead of the
bed.
Have been sleeping long" 1 asked.
Il do not know, my DEAR" replied my
wife. THE opiate you gave me last
night had such an effect upon me that
could scarcely have stirred until l open
ed my eyes half an hour ago. When
saw you sleeping on the couch my idea
was that you would not come to bed for
fear of disturbing me-"
THAT may have been my motive for
sleeping here; but it is strange that it
should have gone clean out of my mind"
1T has occurred before, Richard"
True; but this is a new phase of my
wretched sleep-walking."
Now, it is singular fact that my
mind was also blank as to the danger
which threatened us. l had no recollec-
ton, not only of what had passed be-
tween me and my uncle on the previous
day, but even of his being in the house.
Mammal 1t was Eunice's voice,
outside.
Come in, dear childw called my wife
'She is happy and hopeful, Richard.
have been talking to her quite wisely"
IF love be WISDOM" / thought, as
Eunice entered the room, sit would count
for much. But love must work a miracle
In a stony heart before happiness can be
restored to me and mine"
kiss the clouds away from your faith
er's face, my child" said my wife, land
make him smile again."
Let be, let be-" l said, receiving and
returning Eunice's cares with GOODNESS.
I'VE will go down now, Richard"
said my wife; you will join us present
Tyr
Yes, presently" replied.
They left the room together, taking
some loose roses with them, and l pro-
ceeded to make my toilet. 1t was soon
completed, and l took my watch from
my pocket to ascertain the time. AS /
put it back my fingers encountered
ring. l took it out and gaEed at it in
dumb establishment; it was the diamond
ring my uncle had placed upon his finger
on the first night of his arrival By
what strange means had it come uncon-
sciously into my possession?
l shook my head angrily and impatient
", and tried to think. My uncle had
not given me the ring, and l could scarce
ly have taken it without his knowledge.
But, with or without his knowledge, l
must have taken it, for il lay in my
trembling hand. How did it come into
my pocket? Was l a thief? 1t needed
but u question like this to make my de-
SPAR complete. Little did | suspect
what was yet to be revealed to me and
all of US. The stone in the ring was, as
l have already stated, not large, and
could, Mt the utmost, have been worth
not more than twenty pounds. That ]
should have been guilty of theft and of
a theft so paltry, shocked and over
whelmed me-
What should l do with the ring? /
dared not show it to my wife; the
thoughts which il must inevitably have
inspired in her gentle breast would have
revealed TO her base depth in my ma
ture which she did not believe me capa-
BILE. l had 10 see my uncle on this morn
ing, and l would take the opportunity
of slipping the ring somewhere in his
room, or Of dropping 1t upon the floor,
and thus avoid suspicion. So resolving,
l went down to my wife and daughter
with my guilty secret in my pocket.
ready 70 my right hand.
Mr. Mortlock was with them at break
fast, and Mile. Resale. Mr. Mortlock
gave me "good-morning." and with
hatred in my heart which, had not held
myself in moral and physical control.
would have impelled me 10 strike him in
the face, l returned the salute, deSpis-
ing myself the while for my contempt.
BILE weakness and lack of manhood. Mile.
Rosaue raised her eyes shyly TO my
face. softly ssid ''good-morning. sir" and
then lowered them again. What was the
meaning Of her shy, timid, singular look?
Did she know my secret? Or was it that
was in the mood to place extravagant
constructions upon the most Insignificant
details Of social intercourse? | chose
the worse view, snd. gazing with per
turbed looks at them all, took my seat
at the table
you Go not seem well this corning,
observed Mr.. Mortlock.
Again Mile RoSahe raised her eyes
70 mine with the same strange look;
again she lowered them Immediately.
Il am quite well, Mr.. Mortlock."
said. and in no courteous tone.
Have You seen Mr.. Fleetwood this
morningI" asked Mile. Resale.
The question was not directed 10 any
one in particular. and my wife answered
no, that she had not seen him. Then.
once more. Nile. Resale looked az me.
And now In her strange glances seemed
10 detect 4 hidden meaning which irri-
tared and confused me, because l could
not interpret L.
do you wish particularly TO know if
l have seen himT' / asked.
ssNo, sir" she replied. quietly. Il was
asking generally. | observe that he has
not placed the usual flowers on the ia
ble"
This was a reference to mark of af-
lection and graceful attention which
Samuel Fleetwood was in the habit of
uaying my wife and daughter. Every
morning, when they came down to break
fest, there was a posy for each Of them
placed before their accustomed seats st
the table, and they knew that the fow-
ers came fron this faithful servant. On
this morning there were none. My wife
had noticed the omission. but had made
no remark upon It; and If Nile. Resale