Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-30
CHAPTER XVII

OF Pierre. On arriving at the Waffle
Tree Hotel he was received by Miss
Twexby in dignifed silence, for that as
tute damsel was beginning to regard the
fascinating Frenchman as a young man
who talked a great deal and meant moth
ing
He was audacious enough TO win her
heart and then break it, so Miss Twexby
thought the wisest thing would be to keep
him at a distance So VandelOup's bright
smiles and merry Jokes failed to call forth
any response from fair Martha, who sat
silently in the bar, looking like grabbed
sphinx.
us my friend Pierre in?" asked Van
deloup, leaning across the counter, and
looking lovingly at Miss Twexby.
The lady intimated coldly that he was
in, and had been for the last two weeks;
also that she was sick of him, and she'd
thank NJ. Vandeloup to clear him out
all of which amused Vandeloup nightly,
though he still continued to smile coolly
on the sour-faced damsel before him.
CASTOR, however, failed to persuade
Pierre to accompany him round to buy an
outfit. For the dumb man lay on his
bed, and obstinately refused to move out
Of the room. He, however acquiesced sui
Ienly when his friend told him he was
going to Melbourne. so Vandeloup left
the room, having first secured Pierre's
knife, and locked the door after him. and
then sailed forth to buy his shipwrecked
friend a box and some clothes.
In the afternoon Vandeloup went to
the lake and espied a little figure in
white, and seeing that it was Kitty, he
strolled up to her in a leisurely manner.
She was looking at the ground when he
came up, and was prodding holes in the
spongy turf with her umbrella, but gianc-
ed up carelessly as he came near. Then
she sprang up with cry of joy, and
throwing her arms around his neck, she
kissed him twice.
Il haven't seen you for ages, said
Kitty, putting her arm in his as they sat
down. 81 just came up here for a week,
and did not think I'd see you"
''The meeting was quite accidental, 1
know" replied CASTOR, leaning back laz-
lily; "but none the less pleasant on that
account. Wouldn't you like to leave
Papa and lead a jollier life?" asked Van
deoup, artfully, ''in Melbourne for in
stance"
II don't know" she faltered, look
ing down.
But l do. Bebe," whispered CASTOR,
putting his arms round her waist; you
would like to come with me-"
why? Are you going?" cried Kitty,
in dismay
Il think l spoke about this before" he
said. II never say anything | do not
mean" answered Vandeloup with the
ready lie on his lips in a moment; land
have got letters from France with
money, so l am going to leave the Pac-
tolus."
And me?' said Kitty, tearfully.
THAT depends upon yourself, Bebe,"
he said rapidly, pressing her burning cheek
against his own; your father would new
er consent to my marriage and | can't
take you away from Ballarat without sus-
picions, So
''Yes?" said Kitty, eagerly, looking at
him.
You must run away" he whispered,
with a caressing smile.
Alone?
For a time, yes" he answered; listen
next week you must meet me here, and
i will give you money to keep you in
Melbourne for some time then you must
leave Ballarat at once and wait for me
at the Buttercup Hotel in Gertrude
street, Carlton; you understand"
Yes" faltered Kitty, nervously; e
unerstand."
And you will Gomez" he asked anx-
iously, looking keenly at her, and press
ing the little hand he held in his own.
Yes" she whispered. clinging to him
with dry lips and beating heart; Il
will Gomez Then her overstrained ma
ture gave way. and with a burst of tears
she threw herself on his breast.
"My dear Bebe." said Vandeloup, kiss
ing her white cheek, you must go home
now, and get little sleep; it will do you
good"
but your" asked Kitty, in low
voice. as they walked slowly along.
"Oh, l." said NJ. Vandeloup, airily; 81
am going to the Waffle Tree Hotel to
see my friend Pierre off to Melbourne"
"YoG are now on your own response
bnity, ms friend" said Vandeloup to
Pierre, as he stood at the window of the
railway carriage; 'for we must part,
though long together have we been. Per
haps l will see you in Melbourne: if |
do YOU will find l have not forgotten the
past" and, with a significant look at the
dumb man, Nandeloup lounged slowly
away.
The whistle blew Shrilly, the last good
bys were spoken, the guard shouted "AIl
aboard for Melbourne" and shut all the
doors. then, with another shrek and puff
of white steam, the train, like a long.
1.-the serpent. glided into the rain and
darkness with its human freight
AT last l have rid myself of this dead
A,+ - h.
along the wet streets to Craig's Hotel.
where he intended to stay for the night,
"and can now shape my own fortune.
Pierre is gone, Bebe will soon follow, and
now / must look after myself"
Kitty left a note saying she was going
down to Melbourne to appear on the
stage. Meanwhile. the man who was the
primary cause of all this trouble was
working in the office of the Pactolus claim
with a light heart and cool head. CASTOR
had really managed to get Kitty away
in a very clever manner, inaSmuch as he
never appeared publicly 10 be concerned
in il. but directed the whole business Sc
cretly. He had given Kitty sufficient
money TO keep her away for some months
IN Melbourne, as he was in doubt when he
could leave the R9ctoluS without beng
suspected of being concerned in her dis
appearance. He also told her what day
70 leave. and all thae day stayed at the
mine working at his accounts, and after
ward spent the evening very pleasantly
with Madame Midas. Next day Mcintosh
went into Ballarat on business, and on
returning from the city, where he had
heard ail about il, he saw Vandeloup come
out of the Office. and drew up in the trap
beside the young man.
Aha. Monsieur" said VandelOup, gaily,
shooting a keen glance at Archie. you
have had pleasant day"
Maybe yes, maybe no" returned Nc
IntoSh. cautiously, fumbling in the bag
''there's nothing much in the town, but
I've gotten letter or so from, France"
For meT' cried Nandeloup eagerly
holding ont his hands