Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-11-20


back into the chair angrily.
Just the same" she muttered restless
ly, lust the same"
'Yes, my Bebe," he said, in a caressing
tone, taking her hand.
''No, no !" she cried, wrenching them
away, while an angry spot of color glow
ed on her cheek II loved you as you
were-not as you are now-we are done
with sentiment, NJ. Vandeloup," she said,
sneering, land now our relations to one
another will be purely business ones"
$50 glad you understand the position"
he said, blandly; u see the age of mira
cles is not yet past when woman can
talk sense"
You won't disturb me with your
sneers," retorted the girl, glazing fercely
at him out of the gathering gloom in the
room.
Bah! !" he said, gaily, "our comedy is
turning into a tragedy; l am as foolish
as you think" significantly, I'VE under
stand one another"
''Yes, / think we do" she answered,
calmly, the color coming back to her
cheek. Neither of us is to refer to the
past, and we both go on our different
roads unhlndered.
"Mademoiselle Marchurst," said Vande-
loup tremendously, Il am delighted to
meet you after a years absence-come,"
with gay laugh, ''let us begin the comedy
thus, for here" he added quickly, as the
door opened. here comes the spectators"
well, young people" said Madame's
voice, as she came slowly into the room,
you are all in the dark; ring the bell
for lights, NJ. Vandeloup."
Certainly, Madame" he answered,
touching the electric button. Miss Mar
churst and myself were renewing our for
mer friendship"
How do you think she is looking|
asked Madame, as the servant came in
and lit the gas.
Charming" replied Vandeloup, look
ing at the dainty little figure in white
standing under the blaze of the chande-
lier; "she is more beautiful than ever"
Kitty made a saucy little curtsey, and
burst into a musical laugh.
"Hc is just the same Madame" she
said. merrily, TO the tall. grave woman
| in black velvet, who stood looking at her
affectionately, full of compliments, and
not meaning one but when is dinner to be
ready?" pathetically; I'm dying of star
vation."
Il hope you have peaches, Madame, -
said Vandeloup, gaily 1.-THE first time
met Mademoiselle she was longing for
| peaches"
Il am unchanged In that respect" re-
torted Kitty, brightly; Il adore peaches
still"
Il am just waiting for Mr.. Cation"
said Madame Midas, looking at her
watch; 'he ought to be here by now"
as that the lawyer, Madame?" asked
! Vandeloup.
Yes" she replied, quietly, 'he is a
most delightful man."
80 1 have heard" answered Vande-
loup, nonchalantly, land he had something
to do with a former owner of this house,
l think"
"Oh, don't talk of that" said Mrs
Villiers, nervously; ''the first time took
the house l heard all about the owner
being murdered"
why, Madame, you are not nervous"
said Kitty, gaily.
mo, my dear" replied the elder, quiet
~, "but l must confess that for some
reason or another / have been a little
upset since coming here; don't like be-
ing alone"
"You shall never be that" said Kitty,
fondly nesting to her."
Thank you, puss," said Madame. tap
ping her cheek "but l am nervous" she
said, rapidly; "at night especially Some
| times l have to get Selma to come into
my room and stay all night"
Madame Midas nervous" thought
Vandeloup to himself; then l can guess
the reason she is afraid of her husband
coming back TO her"
Just at this moment the servant an
nounced Mr.. Cation, and he entered, with
his sharp, incisive face, looking clever
and keen.
| Villiers," he said, shaking hands with his
hostess; but business, you know, the
pleasure of business"
Now" said Madame, quickly, 81 hope
you have come to the business of pleas
ure.'
Very epigrammatic, my dear LADY,
said Cation, in his high, clear voice
pray introduce me-"
Madame did so. and they all went to
dinner. Madame with Cation and Kitty
following with Vsndeloup.
This" observed Cation, when they
were al seated at the dinner table, lis the
perfection of dining; for we are four,
and the guests, according to an epicure,
should never be less than the Graces nor
greater than the Muses."
And a very merry little dinner it was.
All four We're clever takers, and Vande-
loup and Cation being pitted against one
another, e1celled themselves; witty re-
marks, satirical sayings, and well-told
stories were constantly coming from their
| lips.