Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-12-13
CHAPTER. XII

OII<A1 4 LIN All.
Walter stood for q second or two dumb
with pain and amazement. In the next
moment. however. he remembered that
he had no right to express surprise or
pain, even il he were racked Dy either.
Helene was free to show her preference
for any man. At the same time it
seemed to him IS If Helene's act were
poisoned by a guilty secrecy, and he felt
the sting of It bitterly.
1.-The Colonel is badly hurt" he said
at last, with broken voice. HE was shot
through the lung on Sunday, Will you
not go to him? The doctor says that we
have every reason to hope for the best;
but the Colonel Is very weak, and he
asked for you the moment he approach
ed the house."
Helene cast an anxious glance toward
the door of her room, and an unusual
pallor spread over her face. She hest
tated for few seconds, and then tripped
out Of the room. AS she reached the
landing outside she had to lean against
the wall for support.
HAS Jack seen Den0n? she asked
herself, staring into the gray vacancy
What will Jack think of me? That poor
Demon! Jack will find him, and they
will shoot him or hang him."
At that moment Sues black face
cleaned upon her in the light of the up
per landing window, and she beckoned to
the woman.
Save me, Sue" she whispered, con-
vulsively, clutching the negress' arm.
There is a man in my ROOM"
"A man in your room, chile?" ques-
toned faithful Sue, hoarsely.
YES; get him out of the house with
out being seen. his life and my honor
depend upon it." Helene gasped while
she mnttered the words.
The old servant pressed her mistress
hand. and darted upstairs without
word Helene had TO grip the banisters
while she assembled the stairs. On the
first floor she drew a long breath. and
said to herself, well, If there is no
way out OF it l cannot help it, but |
must try to save him if it can be DONE"
The wounded man was lying on a little
iron bedstead near the window when
Helene entered the room, and the sum-
mer light ripping through the muslin
curtains shone upon the pale, pain
stretched face. The once clear gray eyes
were dull and nearly CLASSY. Suffering
had angularized every line and every
feature, and the barely perceptible smile
which cleaned there was the Only token
of recognition.
"Come, my dear" said the weak voice,
"Sit by me here, and let me hold your
hand. l am glad, if am to die. that l
can end my days near YOU"
Il am so sorry, Daddy Adams" she
said, but l must be brave. You will
get over this.
II don't know" was the hoarse and
feeble rejoinder. Il am not so sure about
il. The doctor says he thinks l viii. He
says l must not speak. Well. sit by me
here. l do not feel strong enough just
now: but | have so much TO tell you.
and don't want to miss chance. If
am to 90 ont OF this world"
The dusk OF the early summer evening
had settled TO darkness, and Walter was
meditating whether he ought TO remain
in the house or return TO camp. The
weather was hot. and scarcely breath
OF air troubled the summer hush. Wal
ter was standing in the mellow twilight
in the porch of the house. when he saw
Sue and a negro whom he did not know,
both OF them carrying bundles on their
heads, come through the side entrance
and walk 10 the front gate.
The negro was 4 tall fellow, well ses
up in his limbs but walking with
slovenly, uneasy gait. He was dressed
in old blue jean trousers, and wore over
his red flannel shirt. an open striped
cotton wsisteoat with big brass buttons.
A big. black felt hat covered his eyes,
which were further obscured by the bun
die he was carrying. She was chatting
and laughing as they were walking
along. and they had opened the gate
and were already outside, when their
progress was cut short the sentry on
duty there.
HEY. Stop cried the man. who are
your
You kin see. shoe, sonny" replel
Sue. grinning her broadest- IFS Sue. [
is. Miss Helene's servant. an dis .Sullere1
rennelm2n. daf's Elijah. an he's LeIpin'
dis chile carry de clothes TO de laundry.
Walters eyes followed Sue and the ne
gro a. tAsy walked aioag the read. when