Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-09-25


are your? snarled Slivers. viciously.
NO. but 1 am of Mcintosh and the
rest of them," retorted Villiers. What
can one man do against twenty Of these
demons? Why, they'd kill me if | went
out there; and that wife of mine wouldn't
raise her little finger to save me-"
Its no good beating about the bush"
said the wooden-legged man. You go
out near the claim, and see If you. can
catch her; Their give it to her hot"
Villiers thought moment, then turned
to go. s
"Ill try" he said, as he went out of
the door, 'but it's no go, tell you, she's
stone" and with dismal nod he slouched
away
"Stone, Is she?" cried the old man,
pounding furiously ON the floor with his
wooden leg, then I'd smash her; I'd
crush her; I'd grind her into little bits"
and, overcome by his rage, Slivers shook
Billy of his shoulder.
Mr.. Villiers went to the railway sta
ton and took the train to the Pactolus
claim. Unluckily for Madame Midas, she
had that day been to Ballarat, and was
just returning. She had gone by train,
AID was now leaving the station and walk
ing home to the Pactolus along the road.
Being absorbed In thought, she did not
notice the dusty figure in front of her, 9th
erwise she would have been sure to have
recognized her husband, and would have
given him a wide berth by crossing the
fields instead of going by the road. Mr..
Villiers, therefore, tramped steadily on to-
ward the Pactolus, and his wife tramped
steadily after him, until at last, at the
turn of the road where it entered her
property, she overlook him.
A shudder of disgust pashed through
her frame as she raised her eyes and saw
him, and she made a sudden gesture as
though to fall behind and thus avoid him.
1t was, however, too late, for Mr.. VII
liers, hearing footsteps, turned suddenly
and saw the woman he had come to see
standing In the middle of the road.
Husband and wife stood glaring at each
other for few moments in silence, she
looking at him with an expression of in
tense loathing on her fine face and he
vainly trying to assume dignihed car
riage.
At last, his wife, drawing her dress to-
gether as though his touch would have
contaminated her, tried to pass, but on
seeing this he sprang forward, before she
could change her position, and caught her
wrist.
mot yet !" he Kissed through his clench-
ed teeth; first you must have a word
with me-"
what do you want?" she asked in
low, clear voice.
Money" growled Villiers. insolently
planting himself directly in front of her,
land I'm going to have it"
Money ~ she echoed, in a tone of bit
ter irony have you not had enough yet?
Have you not squandered every penny
had from my father? What more do you
want?"
"a share in your Pactolus," he said,
sullenly.
His wife laughed scornfuliy. Villiers
writhed like 6 snake under her bitter
scorn.
II understand" he said in haunting
tone you want it for the man you are
going to marry"
what do you mean?"
what I say" he retorted boldly; call
Ballarat knows you are in love with that
young Frenchman."
Mrs. Villiers felt herself grow faint
this man, who had embittered her life
from the time she married him, was still
her evil gen US. A man she had seen on
the road was now nearly up to them, and
with a revulsion of feeling she saw that
it was Vandeloup. Recovering herself
with an effort, she turned steadily.
you lied when you spoke just now,"
she said in quiet voice. Il will not
lower myself to reply to your accusation :;
but if you dare to cross my path again
will kill you"
She looked so terrible when she said
this that Villiers involuntarily drew back
but recovering himself in a moment, he
sprang forward and caught her arm.
III make you pay for this and he
twisted her arm till she thought it was
broken. you'll kill me, will you?-you !
you - he shrieked, still twisting her
arm and causing her intense pain, you
viper"
Suddenly, when Madame was almost
fainting with pain, she heard a shout, and
knew that Vandeloup had come to the
rescue. He had recognized Madame Midas
down the road, and saw that her com
panion was threatening her: so he made
all possible speed, and arrived just in
time.
Madame turned round to see Vande-
loup throw her husband into a ditch by
the side of the road, and walk toward
her. He was not at all excited. but seem
ed as cool and calm as ii he had just
been shaking hands with Mr.. Villiers
instead of treating him violently.
"You had better go home, Madame"
he said in his usual cool voice, land
leave me to deal with this gentleman; you
are not hurtF
"Only my arm" replied Mrs. villiers,
in a faint voice; he nearly broke it.
But l can walk home alone"
"if you can, do So" said vandeloup,
with doubtful look at her. Il will send
him away"
Don't let him hurt you"
II don't think there is much danger"
replied the young man, with a glance
at his arms. II am stronger than | look. ="
Thank you, Monsieur" said Madame
Midas, giving him her hand; you have
rendered me a great service, and one
| will not forget"
| He bent down and kissed her hand,
| which action was seen by Mr.. Villiers as
he crawled out of the ditch. When Mad
| anne Midas was gone and Vandeloup could
see her walking homeward, be turned to
| look for Mr.. Villiers, and found him
| seated on the edge of the ditch, all COW
cred with mud and streaming with water
presenting a most pitiable appearance.
You can tell my wife III pay her for
| this
Accounts are paid on Saturdays" call
ed out Nj. Vandeloup. gaily; IF you call
l will give you receipt Of the same kind
| as you had to-day"
Villiers made no response, as he was
already out of hearing, and went on his
wSy TO the station with mud on his clothes
| and rage in his heart.
| Vandeloup looked after him for few
minutes with queer smile on his lips,
| then turned on his heel and walked home.
| humming song.
CHAPTER IN.