Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-09
CHAPTER XIII

Dinner at Mr.. Marchurst's house was
not particularly exhilarating affair. AS
a matter of fact, though dignifed with
the name of dinner, it was nothing more
than one of those mixed meals known as
high tea.
After dinner Madame sat and talked
with Marchurst, but Kitty went outside
into the warm darkness of the summer
night, and tried to pierce the gloom to
see If her lover was coming. She was
rewarded, for NJ. Vandeloup came up
about half-p eight o'clock, having met
Pierre as arranged. Pierre had found
out Villiers in his hiding place, and was
watching him while Villiers watched the
house Being, therefore, quite easy in
his mind that things were going smoothly,
Vandeloup came up TO the porch where
Kitty was eagerly waiting for him, and
taking her in his arms, kissed her tender
ly. Then. after assuring himself that
Madame was safe with Marchurst, he put
his arm round Kitty's waist, and they
walked up and down the path with the
warm wind blowing in their faces, and the
perfume of the waffle blossoms permeat-
ing the drowsy air.
Suddenly they heard the noise of a
chair being pushed back inside the house,
and knew that Madame was getting ready
TO go. They moved simultaneously to-
ward the door, but in the porch CASTOR
paused for a moment, and caught Kitty
by the arm.
"Bebe," he whispered softly, when
Madame is gone am going down the hill
to Ballarat, so you will walk with me a
little way, will you not?"
OF course, Kitty was only too delight
ed at being asked to do so. and readily
consented, then ran quickly into the
house, followed by Vandeloup.
You here ?" cried Madame in surprise,
pausing for a moment in the act of put
ting on her bonnet. why are you not
at the theater?"
II am going. Madame" replied Gas
ton, calmly, but thought / would come
up in order to assist you TO put the mug
get in the trap"
"0h, Mr.. Marchurst would have done
that" said Madame. much gratifed at
Vandeloup's attention. I'm sorry you
should miss your evenings pleasure for
that"
"Ah, Madame. l do but exchange q
lesser pleasure for s. greater one." said
the gallant Frenchman, with a pleasant
smile; but are you sure you will not
want me TO drive you homer"
Not at all" said Madame. as they all
went outside; Il am quite safe"
"Still, with this" said Mr.. Marchurst,
bringing up the rear, with the nugget
now safely placed in its wooden box. ''you
might be robbed"
Not l." replied Mrs. Viniers brightly,
as the horse and trap were brought round
10 the gate by Brown. NO one knows
I've got it in the trap. and. besides, No
one can catch up with Rory when he
once starts"
MarchurSt put the nugget under the
seat of the trap, but Madame was afraid
| il might slip out by some chance, so she
put the box containing il in front, and
then her feet on the box, so thai It was
absolutely impossible that il could get lost
without her knowing. Then saying good
by to every one, and telling NJ. YandelouT
l to be out at the Pactolus before noon tbs
next day, she gathered up the reins and
| drove slowly down the hill, much TO the
/ delight OF Mr.. Villiers. who was getting
tired Of waiting. Kitty and NandesouT
strolled off in the moonlight, while Mar
| churst went back TO the house.
villiers arose from his hiding place, and
looked up savagely at the serene moon,
which was giving far too much light Tor