Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-12-05
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)

account of Waverly, looked upon from
an archaeological, historical and legen-
Diary point of view. Never mind your
flowers now, Roland it's a very charm
Ing bouquet, but you don't suppose Mrs.
Gilbert is going to carry it about all
DAY! Take it into the lodge yonder and
ask them to put it in water; and in the
evening, if you're very good, Mrs. Gill
bert shall take it home to ornament her
parlor at Graybridge."
The gates were opened, and they went
In Isabel arm-in-arm with Mr.. Ray
mind.
Roland placed himself presently on
one side of Isabel; but Mr.. Raymond was
so very instructive that all Mrs. Gil
aoerts attention was taken up in the eff
Tort to understand his discourse, which
was very pleasant and lively, in spite of
Its Instructive nature.
1t was very pleasant morning alto
gether. There was a strangely mingled
feeling of dissatisfaction and annoyance
In Roland LansdelPs mind, as he stroll
ed beside Isabel and listened, or appear
ed to listen, to Mr.. Raymond's talk. He
would like to have had Isabels little
hand lying lightly on his arm; he would
lifted to his face; he would like her to
have heard the romantic legends belong
ing to the ruined walls and roofess ban
lquet chambers from him. And yet, per-
lhaps it was better as it was. BE was
going away very soon, and 1t was bet
ter not to lull himself in soft delights
that were so soon to be taken away from
his barren life Yes, his barren life.
IL. hr1 L. 81
bitter repining, and to look upon him
self as, somehow or other, cruelty i'll
used by Providence.
The sun was low when they left the
ruins of the feast. The moon had risen,
so pale as to be scarcely distinguishable
from a faint summer cloud high up in
the clear opal heaven. Mr.. Raymond
took Isabel up by winding staircase to
the top of a high turret, beneath which
spread green meads and slopes of YER
dure, where once had been a lake. Ro-
land went with them, of course, and sat
looking out at the still night. Soon the
voice of George Gilbert sounded from
below, deeply sonorous among the walls
and towers, GAZING to Isabel.
II must go,' she said. II dare say
the fly is ready to take us back. Good
night, Mr.. Raymond; good night, Mr..
Lansdell."
But l am going down with you to the
gate" said Roland; "do you think we
could let you so down those slippery
stairs by yourself, to fall and break your
neck, and haunt the tower by moonlight
forever afterward, a pale ghost in shad-
owy muslin drapery? Here's Mr.. Gill
BERT" he added, as the top of George
hat made itself visible upon the wind
ing staircase; but I'm sure l know the
turret better than he does, and l shall
take you under my care"
He took her hand as he spoke and
led her down the dangerous winding way
as carefully and tendery as if she had
been a little child. Her hand did not
tremble as it rested in his; but something
like a mysterious winged creature that
had long been imprisoned in her breast,
seemed to break it's bonds all at once,
and float away from her toward him.
She thought it was her lOng-imprisoned
soul, perhaps, that so left her, to be-
come a part of his. If that slow down
ward Journey could have lasted forever!
But the descent did not last very long
careful as Roland was of every step; and
there was the top of Georges hat bob
bling about in the moonlight all the time
Remember tomorrow" Mr.. Lansdell
said, generally, to the Graybridge party
as they took their seats. II shall ex-
pect you as soon as the afternoon service
is over. l know you are regular church
goers at Gray bridge. Couldn't you come
to Mordred for the afternoon service, by
the bye?-the church is well worth see
ing" There was a little discussion; and
it was finally agreed that Mr.. and Mrs.
George Gilbert and Sigismund should go
to Mordred church on the following af-
ternoon.
Mr.. Lansdell and Mr.. Raymond walk
ed along the lonely road under the
shadow of the castle wall, and for some
minutes neither of them spoke. Mr.. Ray
mond was rather puzzled how to COM
mence the conversation; when he did be-
gin, he began very abruptly, taking what
one might venture to call conversation
al header.
Roland" he said, "this won't do"
what won't do?" asked Mr.. Lans-
dell coolly.
"Of course, l don't set up for being
your mentor" returned Mr.. Raymond
''or for having any right to lecture you,
or dictate to you. The tie of kinsman-
ship between us is a very slight one; as
far as that goes. Heaven knows that
could scarcely love you better than I
do if l were your father. But you are
doing mischief; you are turning this silly
girls head. 1t is no kindness TO lend
her books; it is no kindness to invite
her to Mordred, and to show her brief
glimpses of a life that never can be hers
If you want to do a good deed. and RI
elevate her life out of its present daad
level, make her your almoner, and give
her a hundred a year to distrihuta
amongst her husbands poor patients. The
weak, unhappy child is perishing for
want of some duty to perform upon this
earth, some necessary task to keep her
busy from day to day, and to make
link between her husband and herself
Roland, do believe that you are as good
and generous minded a fellow as ever
an old bachelor was proud of Ny dear
boy, let me feel prouder of you than l
have ever felt yet. Leave tomorrow
morning 1t will be easy to invent some
excuse for going. Go tomorrow, Ro-
land"
IL will answered Mr.. Lansdell, after
a brief pause. Il will go, Raymond" he
repeated. holding out his hand and clasp
ing that of his friend. II suppose have
been going a little astray lately; but
only wanted the voice of a true-hearted
fellow like you to call me back to the
straight road l shall leave tomorrow.
Raymond and it may be a very long
time before you see me back again"
The watchdog's honest bark-or rather
the bark of several watchdogs-made the
night elamorous presently when Mr.
Lsnsdell drew rein before the porch: but
there was no eye to mark his coming,
and be brighter when he came; unless in
deed, it was the eye of his valet.
you may set to work at once with
my portmanteaus, Jadis," he said, when
he met his servant in the hall Il must
leave Mordred tomorrow morning in
time for the I O'Clock express from
Warncliffe. You can go to bed when
you've finished packing. I've some let
tiers to write, and shall be late"
The letters which he had to write
turned out to be only one letter, or. rath-