Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-03
Prisoners and Capfiyes
By III. S. MERREMAN
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By III. s. MERREMAN

generated others, and before the little
brongham drew up smoothly, the young
sirl was verging upon conviction that
the course Of events had diverged already
from the commonplace. She was not,
therefore, surprised to see Miss Winter
standing al the head of the brightly light
ed, softly carpeted stairs to greet her. Be
fore she spoke Helen had guessed that
they were TO pass the evening alone TO-
sether, and as she mounted the stairs she
did her best 20 guell an indefinite feeling
of discomfort.
The drawing room looked intensely
coy. Two armchairs, and two only,
small and low, were drawn forward to
the IRE, and between them a small table,
promising coffee. In response TO little
gesture of the hand. Helen took posses
sion OF one of the chairs. Miss Winter
TOOK up an evening newspaper, of which
the careful cutting betrayed no tamper-
ing on the part of a literary cook, and
slowly unfolded it.
l want" she said, ''to see who is
acting in that new piece at the Epic.
mad note from Oswin to-day, propos-
| ing to make up a party for next Wednes-
day."
Yes; he spoke to me about it.
should like to CO.
Miss Winter continued to unfold the
paper with a considerable hustle. She
was not looking at it, but at Helen, who
seemed interested in the texture of an alb
surd little lace handkerchief
Who's going?'
The girl raised her head and frowned
slightly, as if making mental effort.
Let me see-papa, Oswin, you, my
| self, and-and-oh, yes Mr.. Tyars'
Miss Winter was not an impulsive
woman. There was a graceful finish and
sense of leisure about her movements, but
before Helen could move, her friend was
kneeling on the white fur hearth rug.
drawing her toward her, forcing her to
face the light.
Helen, let me see your face"
1t was almost a command, and the girl
obeyed, slowly turning. Her eyes were
dull, as if with physical agony Miss
| Winter relinquished the warm, soft fin
gers. She half turned, and sat with her
hands clasped in her lap, gazing into the
| fire.
When" she asked, when was it?
Long ago at Oxford, or only just lately?"
Il suppose" Helen answered. quietly,
that it was long ago at Oxford; but
but l think | did not know it,
This daughter of a sailor race was not
given to tears, but now her lashes were
glistening softly. 1t is not the bitterest
tear that falls.
My poor, poor Helen ." murmured
Miss Winter, stroking her friends hand
gently. And he-Claud Tyars-he has
said nothing?"
"Of course not"
Miss Winters eyes fell on the news
paper lying open at her feet. Mechan-
ically she read the heading of long
article on the New Arctic Expedition.
Her heart sank within her.
But, Helen" she whispered, do you
think he"
Hush, DEAR" interrupted the girl.
Don't ask me that"
Helen, will you tell me one thing?"
The girl moved uneasily, keeping her
eyes averted
Il think not" she answered, you can
ask it, but l do not think l will answer
| it,
Lon ago" murmured the low voice
of the elder woman, long ago at Oxford
| uIu you IuIuh-IleIeu, forgive my asking
did you think that he loved you?'
There was a long silence, broken only
by the oficious little clock upon the
mantel piece. and the heated creak of the
glowing cinders. Then at last the an
| swer came:
Mono, certainly not But he was
different from the others-quite different
1t seems ridiculous, but at the time |
thought that it was because be was
Cambridge man."
Then if you had not met again this
would not have happened?'
No." answered Helen, gravely; sit
would not. l wonder why Oswin should
have saved him, of all men, in the middle
of the Atlantic ocean,"