Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-07-05
CHAPTER XIII.


let for overfowing glee. Father and
daughter had both counted their wealth
that night; he in order to sell his gold.
she that she might cast it abroad on the
waters of love. She put the money back
INTO the old purse, took it up, and went
upstairs with it without a moments hes
itation. Her cousins distress was the
one thought in her mind: she did not even
remember that it was night, convention
alities were Utterly forgotten; her con-
science did not reproach her, she was
strong in her happiness and in her love.
As she stood upon the threshold with
the candle in one hand and the velvet
bag in the other, Charles awoke, saw
his cousin. and was struck dumb with
establishment. Eugene came forward,
set the light on the table, and said with
an unsteady voice:
Cousin Charles, l have to ask your
forgiveness for something l have done;
1t was very wrong, but if you will over
look it, heaven will forgive me-"
What can it be-? asked Charles,
rubbing his eyes.
81 have been reading those two letters.
Do you ask how l came to do it?" she
went on, land why / came up here? In
deed. do not know now; and l am al
most tempted to feel glad that l read
the letters. for through reading them
have come to know your heart, your SOUL
your plans-the difficulty that you are in
for want of money"
my dear cousin"
Hush, hush. do not let us wake any
body. Here are the savings of a poor
girl who has no wants." she went on,
opening her purse. You must take
them, Charles. This morning | did not
know what money was; you have taught
me that it is simply means TO an end,
that is all. A cousin is almost brother;
surely you may borrow from your sister"
Eugene, almost as much woman as
a girl, had not foreseen a refusal, but
her cousin was silent. The silence was
SO deep that the beating of her heart was
audible. Her pride was wounded by her
cousins hesitation, but the thought of
his dire need came wildly before her,
and she fell on her knees.
Il will not rise" she said. until you
have taken that money. OH cousin, say
something, for PHYS sake! so that may
know that you respect me, that you are
generous, that"
This cry, wrung from her by a noble
despair, brought tears to Charles eyes;
he would not let her kneel, she felt his
hot tears on her hands, and sprang to
her purse, which she emptied out upon
the table.
well, then, it is Yes is it metz" she
said, crying for joy. do not scruple
to take it, cousin; you will be quite rich.
That gold viii bring you luck, you know.
Some day you shall pay it back to me,
or If you like, we will be partners; | will
submit to any conditions that you may
impose But you ought not to make so
much of this gift
Charles found words at last.
Yes, Eugene, | should have a little
soul indeed if would not take it. But
nothing for nothing, confidence for con-
fidence."
What do you mean?" she asked,
startled.
Listen, dear cousin, | have there
He interrupted himself for moment
to show her a square box in a leather
case, which stood on the chest Of draw
ers.
There is something there that is dear
er to me than life. That box was a pres
ent from my mother Since this morning
l have thought that if she could rise
from her tomb she herself would sell
the gold that in her tenderness she Law
ishsd on this dressing case, but i cannot
do tit would seem like Sacrilege."
Eugene grasped her cousins hand
tightly in hers at these last words.
NO" he went on after a brief pause,
during which they looked at each other
with fearful eyes, II do not want to pull
it to pieces, nor to risk taking it with
me on my wanderings. / will leave it in
your keeping, dear Eugene. Never did
one friend confide more sacred trust
to another; but you shall judge for your
self"
He drew the box from the leather
case, opened it, and displayed before
his cousins astonished eyes dressing
case respondent with gold-the curious
skill of the craftsman had only added TO
the value of the metal.
'All that you are admiring is moth
ing" he said, pressing the spring of q
secret drawer There is something
which is mote than all the world to me, y
he added, sadly, and he took out two
portraits, handsomely set in pearls.
How levely she is! Is not this the
lady 10 whom you were writingT'
"No." he said, with little smile; that
is my mother and this is my father
your aunt and uncle. Eugene, could
beg and pray of you on my knees TO keep
this treasure safe for me. If | should
die and lose your little fortune, the gold
will make good your loss; and to you
alone can leave those two portraits. for
you alone are worthy to take charge of
them. but do not let them pass into any
other hands; rather destroy them. Well.
1T is yes, is il potT
AS the last words were spoken, she
gave him for the first time such loving
81. nv as a woman can. bright glance
that reveals a depth of feeling within
her. He took her hand and kissed il.
Angel of purity! what is money hence
forward between us two? 1t is nothing.
is it not? But the feeling which alone
gave it worth will be everything"
'You are like your mother. Was her
voice as musical as yours. l wonderY'
''Oh. far more sweet"
YES. for you" she said, lowering her
eyelids. Come. Charles. you must 80
to bed: l wish it. You are very tired.
Good night"
Her cousin had caught her hand in
both of his; she drew il gently away.
and went dow to hei room. her cousin
lighting one way. In The doorway of her
room they both paused.
"oh. why am | ruined man?' he
said.
MY father is rich, believe" she re-
turned.
MY poor child" said Charles. as he
set one foot in her room. aud propped
himself against the wall by the doorway.
If your father had been rich. he would
not have let my father die. and you
would not be lodged in such n poor place
as this: he would live altogether in quite
a different style"
But he has Froidfond; there Is Noy-
ers. too He has vineyards and mead
oyYS-"
They are not worth talking about,
said Charles scornfUlly. If your father
had even twenty-four thousand liyres 2
year. do you suppose that you would
tafs lila this =