Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-07-17
CHAPTER XVIII

Gerald Tenby turned upon his compan-
ion. There was something wild in his ex-
! pression-the look of an animal at bay !;
then the wildness went, and over his face
there stole that mask that hid all express
sion.
Say what you have to say" he said,
sullenly, 'and then let us change the COR
versation. ! am a bit sick of talking al
ways on the same theme. Come, let US
walk in the direction of my club"
As they strolled along, speaking appar-
| emily in casual fashion, Sylvia Castella
passed them in her carriage. She noted
them from distance, and her eyes follow
ed them with an interest that was strange
| ly new TO her.
Neither man looked at her as she vent
by. and she drew a deep breath of relief
Though she stood now pledged to marry
Stanton, she dreaded the mere thought of
being in his presence.
II cannot help doubling him." she said
TO herself, restlessly, HE swore last
night that that money had come to him
honorably, yet it would be easy enough for
him TO perjure himself. Oh why was
l such fool as to have any dealings with
this man? Drive me to the British Mu-
scum" she ordered her coachman.
Here in this lonely place Sylvia seemed
TO feel that the shadows of coming even
ing were significant of the coming evening
of her life And as she sat wondering
vaguely what had come to pass with her,
she noticed girl walking slowly down the
room.
The girl wore a long, straigh', black
gown that fell in folds about her. Syl-
via recognized at once the proud bearing
and the small head. and her appreciation
went oqt in a whole hearted fashion to
Antonia's grace and beauty.
She was conscious, too, of a strange
beat of excitement at her heart. Ii was
certainly odd that she should have met
this girl two days running and in two
such opposite directions.
Sylvia had risen from her seat, and was
| about to go. Another moment and she
would nave passed Antonio. perhaps never
TO be again in such close contact with the
| girl. when little accident occurred
Strung around her waist Sylvia wore a
/ gold and jeweled belt; from il dangled
many costly AID useless objects. One of
these small jeweled trifies snapped and
fell 70 the ground as she rose, rolling to
| Antonia's feet. Instantly the girl stopped
/ and picked up the toy. and turned with
a smile TO give il to this tall. beautiful
woman. whose face seemed vaguely famil-
lar TO her.
/ Sylvia took the trinket, paused an in
slant, and then. yielding to rush of feel
ing such SIS had not come to her for many
a day. and which had been caused by the
sight of Antonia's companion the day be-
| fore. she spoke to the girl
please forgive me-" said Sylvia. ''hut
can you direct me? 1 cannot find my way
TO the entrance"
IF you viii allow me. / will take You
there. l am on my way out of the mu-
| scum: in fact. l think We must be two
a. the lsst people left in the building.
Fortunately they know me-" Antonio add
ed. with a faint smile. Il come here
very often"
They spoke casually as they walked to-
gether through the long room, and some
thing in the tone of Sylvia's voice hrough;
back 70 Antonio the burr Of her native
country. She said this quite frankly
Il believe that you come from the same
part OF the world that | do" she said
1T is not a beautiful place. yet I love
it very dearly"
u was lsorn in Lancashire Sylvia an
swered; but ii is long time since ]
was there. i thought" she added. hur-
riedly, that / had long ago lost the ac-
cent"
Don't Try to lose it, said Antonio. 81
know TO southern ears 1t has an uxly