Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-06-12
CHAPTER VIII

Lady Betty was in the drawing room
when Antonia's cab finally brought her
back to her uncle's house. Dinner was
a thing of the past, although it had been
delayed for quite half an hour in order
to give Antonio an opportunity of ap-
pearng.
II went TO nave tea with Lady Char
lotte Singleton" the girl said. ION my
way home my hanson came into collision
with an omnibus. l was thrown out of
the cab and slightly hurt. 1t was not
this, however, that delayed me in return
ing. A wonderful thing has happened"
Aptonia said, with a tremor in her voice.
Despite her knowledge of Lady ,Betty's
utter lack of sympathy, she could not
prevent that thrill of joy; she could not
utterly set aside her happiness.
LAS l stood alone in the crowd that
gathered ahou. me-" she went on, II sud
denly felt that there was some one near
that | knew; and l was right, for there
close beside me, was one whom the world
has supposed to be dead-a friend l have
mourned--"
She broke off, and Lady Betty sat for
ard. looking at her intently.
1T must be some one you care for very
VI,
she spoke. 81 have never seen you ex-
cited before. Dear Antonio, do forgive
me: but you are so amusing, you know
You take everything so much in earnest.
You are the sort of girl who would i'm
agine the most casual Irritation to signify
everything that was serious. 1t is the
case of one life one love with you. OF
course, this great friend of yours was
MANI"
Antonio WINGED as any proud nature
must have done beneath this kind of badi-
mage but she had that in her heart now
that made such perpetual sunshine there
tina. nothing mattered.
YES" she answered, my friend Is a
man. You heard me speaking of him only
the other day
Lady Betty gave great start. Instant
~ her face changed. Her cunning mind
rushed like lightning through all the pos
sibilities conjured up by the suggestion
Antonia's last words produced
Are you speaking Of that Hubert Ten
by?' she asked.
Antonio looked her straight in the
eyes.
Yes l am speaking of Hubert. You
remember, Lady Betty that 1 said could
not bring myself to believe that he was
dead. had nothing at that time to guide
me to such a belief, yet l have never
swerved from it, and so to day, when L
looked and saw Hubert standing before
me. it seemed the most natural thing in
the world that he should be there"
Lady Betty sank back on her cushions
again.
IF you are really a friend of Hubert
| T.nby's," she said, You viii advise him
to PUT as much distance as possible be-
tween himself and England. l wonder at
his coming back at all Men of his
stamp are generally cautious
Antonio Grew up her figure to its full
height. Her eyes famed.
Men of Hubert's stamp" she said. in
low voice. know nothing of cowardice.
1t was sorrow and treachery that drove
him away; but now that he has come
/ back again lie means to stay
| AT your invitation, l suppose?" re-
marked Lady Betty, with another sheer.
Antonio turned and walked to the
/ door.
When man has suffered what Hubert
/ has sufered-when a man is convinced
| that the blacklist treachery has been
worked against him-he needs no invita-
| ton to turn and find the means of civ
| ing back to him his honor" she said: and
with that she passed out, and Lady Bet
] y sat staring at the closed door.
Hubert Tenby stood and watched An
/ tonia enter her uncle'S house, with his
heart a mixture of great JOY and deepest
| sadness.
| He had not driven up 10 the door with
the girl, although Antonio would have
been proud TO have been seen with him
| by all the world.
We shah soon meer, my dearest he
said, and Antonio had smiled.
Yes, tomorrow" and then Hubert had
been compelled to check tie girls eager
ness.
ut may not be tomorrow, Antonio"
he had said. You knew love you just
as now / know you owe me; but. my
dear one. the path is rot clear for US yet.
Just because you lcse me, so will you
understand that i must not let myself
forget the truth of nv position, There is
work fo- me TO do, As.5li1s; much to be