Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-02
CHAPTER Y

Mr.. Mark MarchurSt was very pecu-
liar man. Brought up in the Presbyterian
religion, he had early displayed his pecu-
harity by differing from the elders Of the
church he belonged to regarding their doc
trine of eternal punishment. They, hold
ing fast to the teachings of Knox and
Calvin, looked upon him in horror for
daring to have an opinion of his own,
and as he refused to repent and have
blind belief in the teachings of these grim
divines, he was turned out of the bosom
Of the church.
On this bright afternoon, when every
thing was bathed in sunshine, Mr.. Mar
churst, instead of being outside and en-
joying the beauties of nature, was mewed
up in his dismal little study, with cur
tains closely drawn to exclude the light. a
cup of strong tea, and the Bible open at
"The Lamentations of Jeremiah"
He was a tall thin man, of a bleached
appearance, from staying so much in the
dark, and so loosely put together that
when he bowed he did not as much bend
as tumble down from a height. In fact.
he looked so carelessly fixed up that when
he sat down he made the onlooker feel
quite nervous lest he should subside into
a ruin, and scatter his legs. arms and
head promiscuously all over the place.
He was reused from his dismal musings
by the quick opening of the door of his
study. whcr Kitty, joyous and gay In
her white dress, burst like a sunbeam into
the room.
Il wish, Katherine" said her father.
In severe voice, II wish you would not
enter so noisily and disturb my medita-
tons"
You'll have to put your meditations
aside for Bit" said Kitty, disrespect-
fully, crossing TO the window and pulling
aside the curtains. for Madame Midas
and NJ. Vandeloup have come to see You. -
flood of golden light streamed into
tho iusky room, and Marchurst put his
hand to his eyes for moment as they
were dazzled by the sudden glare.
They've got something to show YOU.
papa" said Kitty. going back to the
door; "a big nugget-sucn s1se-as
large as your head"
Her father put his hand mechanically
to his head to judge of the size. and was
about 10 answer when Madame Midas.
calm, cool and handsome, entered the
room. followed by Vandeloup, carrying a
NOoIeu uOA CNhl14ulIE Iuc nugget III
was by no means light, and yandeloup
was quite thankful when he placed ii on
the table.
Wonderful ~ reiterated the old man,
passing his thin hand lightly over the
surface; verify the Lord hath hidden
great treasure In the entrails of the earth,
and the Pactolus would seem 10 be n land
of 0phir when it yields snch wealth as
this"
The nugget was duly admired by every
one. and then Brown and JaSe. who form
ed the household of Marchurst. were call
ed in to look at it. They both expressed
such establishment and wonder that Mar
churSt felt himself compelled to admon-
iSh them against prizing the treasures of
earth above those of heaven. Vandeloup.
afraid that they were in for a sermon.
beckoned quietly TO Kitty. and they both
steslthily left the room. while Marchurst,
with Brown. Jane and Madame for an
audience, and the nugget for text. de-
livered a short discourse.
Kitty put on great straw hat. Her
niQuant face bluShed and grew pink be-
meath the fond gaze Of her lover as they
left the fouSe together and Strolled ap
the Black Hin.
Seated on the highest point of the hill,
under the shadow of great rock, the two
lovers had a wonderful view Of Ballarat.
Here and there they could see the galvan-
lied iron roofs OF the houses cleaning
like silver in the sunlight from amid the
.hick foliage of the trees with which the
city was studded.
All this wonderful panorama, however,
was so familiar 10 Kitty and her lover
chat they did not trouble themselves 10
look much at il, but the girl sat down
pu5sr the big rock. and Nandeloup flung
himself laziIy at her feet.
''Bebe." said Vandeloup, who had given
her this pet name, how long is this
sort of life going TO last.
Kitty looked down at him with vague
feeling of terror at her heart She had