Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-11-06
CHAPTER XXX

Peheu- OnlOTluHdIely, III SplLe VI MS
knowledge of human nature and the fact
that ne started with good sum Of money,
CASTOR had not made his fortune. This
was due to the fact that he was indis-
posed to work when his banking account
was at all decent; so he had lived like
prince on his capital, and trusted to his
luck furnishing him with more when 1t
was done.
Kitty had joined him in Melbourne as
arranged, and CASTOR had married her
and had established her in place in
Richmond. 1t was not a regular boarding
house, but the lady who owned 1t. Mrs.
PulchOp by name, was in the habit OF
letting apartments on reasonable terms.
Meanwhile he went everywhere, was
universally admired and petted, and no
one who saw him in society with his
bright smile and nonchalant manner
would have imagined what crafty schemes
there were in that handsome head.
Madame Midas was still up at Ballarat
and occupying the same cottage, although
she was now so wealthy she could have
inhabited a palace, had she been so mind
ed. But prosperity had not spoiled Mrs
Villiers. She still managed her own at
fairs, and did a great deal of good with
her money-expending large sums for
charitable purposes, because she really
wished to do good, and not, like so many
rich people, for the purpose of advertising
herself
She had invested her money largely in
land, and thus being above the reach of
poverty for the rest of her life, she deter
mined to take up her abode in Melbourne
&C. fnr 70 70 NnO-
land on a visit With this resolution,
she gave up her cottage to Archie, who
was to live in it, and still manage the
mine, and made preparations to come
down to Melbourne with Selma Sprouts.
my faith" said NJ. Vandeloup, smil-
ing to himself as he thought of the situa-
ton; ''it's a capital comedy, certainly !;
but | must take care it doesn't end as a
tragedy"
The next day Vandeloup sent a tele-
gram to Kitty saying he would be home to
dinner, and as he always required some
thing extra in the way of cooking, Kitty
went to interview Mrs. Pulchop on the
subject.
Poor thing. it was so rarely now that
he came home to dinner that a visit from
him was regarded by her in the light of a
treat. She dressed herself in a pretty
white dress and tied blue sash around
her waist, so that she might look the
same to him as when he first saw her.
But her face was now worn and white,
and as she looked at her pallOr in the
glass she wished she had some rouge to
bring a touch of color to her cheeks. She
tried to smile in her own merry way at
the wan reflection she beheld, but the eff
fort was a failure, and she burst into
tears.
At o'clock everything was ready for
dinner, and having seen that all was in
good order, Kitty walked outside to watch
for CASTOR,
Suddenly she heard the rattle of wheels,
and rousing herself from her reverie, she
saw a hanson cab at the gate and NJ.
VandelOup standing on the pavement pay
ing the driver. She also heard him tell
the cabman to call for him at O'Clock,
and her heart sank within her as she
thought that he would soon be gone again.
The cab drove off, and she stood cold and
silent on the veranda waiting for CASTOR,
who sauntered slowly up the walk. He
was in evening dress, and the night be-
ing warm he did not wear an overcoat,
so looked tall and slim in his dark clothes
as he came up the path swinging his cane
gayiy to and fro.
"Why. Bebe. how charming you look
tonight" said Vandeloup, holding her at
arms length; quite like your old self"
And indeed she looked very pretty, for
the excitement of seeing him had bright
ened her eyes and flushed her cheeks, and
standing in the warm light of the lamp,
with her golden hair floating around her
head, she looked like lovely picture.
"You are not going away very soon p
she whispered to CASTOR, coming close to
him, and putting her hand on his shout
der: 81 see so little of you now"
MY dear child, 1 can't help it," he said,
carelessly removing her hand and walking
over to the dinner table: II have an en-
gagement in town tonight"
"Ah, you no longer care for me-" said
Kitty, with a stihed sob.
Vandeloup shrugged his shoulders
Cant you stay to-nightT she said,
looking imploringly at him.
Il have an engagement, as l told you
before" he said, lasily; besides, evenings
at home are so dreary."
Il win be here" said Kitty, reproach-
fully.
THAT will, of course, make a differ
ence." answered CASTOR, with a faint
sheer: ''but you know" struggling his
shoulders, Il do not cultivate the domes-
tic virtues"
How long is this going to last?" she
asked. in a hard voice.
Till l get rich -
THAT may be a long timer"
cit may"
Perhaps never?"
Perhaps "
you coward" burst forth Kitty. ris-
ing from her seat. and crossing over to
him; you made me leave my home, and
now you neglect me, and have ceased to
love me-"
Kitty ran over to a desk near the win
dow, and took thence a small bottle OF
white glass with two red bands round it.
She let the lid of the desk fall with q
bang, then crossed TO Vandeloup, holdilg
the bottle up before him.
do you know what this is?' she asked
in a harsh voice.
The poison L made in Ballarat," he
answered. coolly, blowing a wreath o;
smoke ''how did you get hold of it?'
Il found il in your private desk" she
said. coldly.
That was wrong, my DEAR" he an
swered. gently, you should never betray
condolences left the desk in your
charge, and il should have been sacred to
you"
Listen TO me-" she said. in harsh
voice. with white face and flaming eyes
tonight leave this house forever"
As IL pleases you." he replied simply.
Have you no love for me nowT"
NO" he answered, coldly and brutality,
81 am tired of you"
She fell on her knees and clutched his
hand.
Dear CASTOR dear CASTOR - she cried.
covering il with kisses. 'think how young
am. how my life is unhappy, and for
you. l gave up everything for your sake
home. father and friends-you will not
cast me of like this after all l have
sacrificed for youq Oh. speak-Speak -