Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-03-24


evidently wished to annoy Ada, for she
repiied, "She said he was ugly looking.
though quite distingne; that he came in
the afternoon, while she was in the pub
he parlor talking with lady about you
and your engagement with Mr.. Langley"
The hateful old thing" muttered
Ada, while Anna turned white as mar
bic, and Miss Marvin continued. when
the lady had gone he begged pardon for
the liberty, but asked her if she knew
you. OF cpurse, she told him she did.
and gave him any further information
which she thought would please him.
"Of course she did-the meddling
widow! again interrupted Ada; after
which Miss Marvin proceeded-"Mrs.
Cameron didn't mean to do anything
wrong. for how ceuld she guess that
'twould affect hE4 n Gny way to know
you We're engagedY
And she told him J was engaged! 1t
isn't so. l Rin'tp' ext laimed Ada, while
the angry tears dropped from her gilt
tering eyes.
What does that mean then?" asked
Miss Marvin, langhingly, pointing at the
ring on Adais finger.
Her first impulse was 10 wrench it
from her hand and cast it from her, but
she remembered herself in time, and
growing quite calm as ii to attribute her
recent agitation to a different cause, she
said: Il wish people would attend to
their own affairs, and let mine alone.
Suppose ] am engaged--is that a reason
why Mrs. Cameron should discuss the
matter with strangers? But what else
did she say? And where is the gentle
man nowY'
Gone home" answered Miss Marvin,
glancing nischievously at her compan-
ions. He went the next morning, and
she said he looked very much disturbed,
either at your illness or your engagement
the former probably--and that is why
think it strange that he didn't stop to
see you though maybe he did,"
mo, he didn't" chimed in Miss Mar
wins sister, ''for don't you know she
said he went to the theater?"
All this time my interest in the I'M
at this last remark l forgot myself en-
Yes. he was there; saw him and spoke
with him. too"
The next moment 1 sunk back upon
the ottoman, abashed and mortified, while
Ada gave me a whitening glance, and
said, scornfuIly, "You spoke to him!
And, pray. what did You say?'
An explanation of what l said would,
knew, oblige me to confess the fainting
fit, of which l was somewhat ashamed,
and so / made no reply; nor was any
expected, l think, for without waiting
for my answer, Ada said to Miss Marvin,
Mrs. Cameron. of course, learned his
NAME even if she had to ask it out
right?'
Yes, she made Inquiries of the clerk
at the hotel, who wouldn't take the trou-
bic of looking on the book, but said he
believed it was Field, or something like
that" returned Miss Marvin.
AS if uncertainty were now made sure.
Ada turned so white thar in some alarm
her young friends asked what they should
do for her; but she refused their offers Of
aid, saying iii was only the heat Of the
room, and she should soon feel better:
And is it the heat of the room which
affects you, Miss Lee?" asked one of the
girls. observing for the first time the ex-
IRENE pallor of Annals face.
only a headache" was her answer.
as she pressed her hand upon her fore
head.
She was fearfully pale, and 1 knew it
was no common thing which had thus
moved her, and when not long afterward
the young ladies left us, was glad, for
| felt that both she and Ada needed to
be alone. The moment they were gone
Anna left the parlor, while |, frightened
by the agonized expression of her face,
soon followed her; but the door Of our
room was locked, and it was in vain 1
called on her to admit me, for she only
answered in voice choked with tears,
"Go away, Rosa; l would rather be
alone"
So l left her and returned to the par
Tor, where found Ada weeping passion
ately, while my aupt, whp had not beer
present during me conversation which
had so affected ner, was trying in vain to
learn the cause of her grief.
Nothing much" was all Ada would
say. excepting that "she wanted to
so home"
In the midst of our excitement Her
bert came in. He had repented of his un-
gracious refusal TO ride with Ada, and
now the carriage stood az the door; but
she refused. saying petulantly, when
urged by my aunt to SO, that ''if she
couldn't ride when she wanted TO, she
wouldn't ride Mt ALL"
Where's Anna? She'll go. know"
said Herbert, glancing round the room.
and adding in low tone, which reached
my ear only, ''and I'd far rather she
would
When l explained 10 him that she had
a headache, and did not wish TO be dis
turbed. he exclaimed, What ails all the
girls to-day? Anything the matter with
you. Rosa? If there ISM, put on your
bonnet and III show You the city, for
am resolved upon riding with somebody"
AS my aunt made no objection, l was
soon ready and seated Ey the side of
Herbert in the light vehicle, which he
drove himself l think he exerted him
self 10 be agreeable, for l never saw
him appear sd well before. and in my
heart did not blame my poor sister for
liking him. as was sure she did. while
at the same time / wondered how he
could fancy Ada Montrose. As if divia
ing my thoughts, he turned suddenly to-
ward me and said: 'Rosa, how do you
like Ada p
Without stopping TO reflect, / replied
promptly, Not at all.
Frankly spoken" said he; and then
for several = nutes he was silent. while l
was trying TO decide in my own mind
whether or not he was offended, and l
was about TO ask him when be turned 10
me again, saying: We are engaged
did you know il 2"
! replied that l had inferred as much
from the conversation which had heard
between her and Miss Marvin. saying
further, for his manner eFnboldened me.
that Il was surprised, for / did not think
her such a one as he wousd fancy
Neither is She" said be. again relaps-
ing into silence. At last. rousing mp. he
continued, Il must talk TO somebody. end
as you seem To be a sensible girl. / may
as well make a clean breast. and tell YOU
All about it. Ada came up here from
Georgia last spring. and the moment
mother saw her she picked her out fer
her future daughrerin-law. don
know why il Is. but mother has wanted
me 20 ser married ever sirce / began 10
h.l.,.-, sl,e +hsrks II will mako