Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-12-03

and announcing MT. HODcTtSoH ucpdtt-
ure by the next boat. There was much
talk of wedding preparations, and Angus
was anxious to buy the big house, SO that
Moyra might still be within reach of
Bride, who seemed rather pleased at the
idea of being mistress at the Rectory.
angus says il will do her good, that
we have coddled her too much" Moyra
said, discussing the plan with Aileen, as
she helped her to pack. "And father will
bear q good deal of discomfort under
Brides rule better than a little under
any one else's. Besides, shall be so near
| shall be able to help a great deal. l
think it's a splendid idea"
Yes" said Aileen. Presently she said
casually, II thought that the Fentons
had bought the placer
'No-only rented it for the winter.
They are going away in March. Delda
is very mopy about it. Indeed, we shall
all miss them. They have been very nice
neighbors in spite of the robbery. But |
dare say, if that had not happened. l
might never have been engaged. 1t was
only when trouble came that | recognized
how | felt towards Angus"
Aileen assented again, and Moyra, who,
in her absorption in her own plans, had
almost lost sight of the affairs of other
people, went on packing and made no fur
Their reference to the Fentons.
When luncheon was over Aileen put
| on her hat and coat, and went for a soli-
tary walk along the shore. 1t was cold,
sunshiny day, and a bitter wind was
| blowing, that was probably the cause OF
the tears that coursed rapidly down her
cheeks. She walked steadily on and on,
| a solitary figure on the bare, sandy ex-
panse.
| She collapsed in heap on the sandhill
and wept despairingly. Curiously enough
the thoughts uppermost in her mind were
how she should miss the excitement of
Billy's frequent letters in the coming
term, his flowers, the accidental encoun-
tiers with him in "quads" and streets.
For a whole term they had broken the
monotony, and provided a spice of adven-
ture to the girl who, at that moment. was
inclined to wish she had never heard of
| the Cause or been regarded as the show
student.
| Now Billy had seen and recognized
| Aileen, and had guessed why she had
turned towards the sandhills, so had con-
| tinued his way along the shore, at the
same time watching eagerly for a glimpse
of her as she passed along. But as he
| could see no signs of her, and as he fan
cied that he heard a call, his steps began
to waver, and finally he too went up the
hills and looked eagerly round, to find
Aileen almost a. his feet.
ba
he said stifIly, as she pushed her wet hand
kerchief into her pocket. and hoped that
he would not see that she had been cry
ing "Can l help you?"
IF you please. / am caught in rab-
bit trap"-and she drew her skirt aside
to show him.
IN second Billy was on his knees be-
side her, examining the construction of
the snare, his face black with rage. Had
the owner of that trap been within reach
of Billy's ire just then he would never
have forgotten it.
Il am afraid l shall hurt you terribly
in getting it open," he said looking UP
anxiously. II will try not to touch you
more than / can help"
III try not to scream" Aileen an
swered. The constraint of her stiff po-
siton was making her feel faint and
giddy.
Billy did hurt-he could not help it.
and once Aileen uttered a little cry OF
pain, and caught his shoulder. At the
sound Billy muttered something that was
far more emphatic than decorous, but
Aileen did not resent it. Instead. she
smiled a little, and looked at his strong
hands with an expression that Billy ought
to have seen. How strong he was she
thought. all woman's love of animal
strength rising within her, and then she
uttered a cry of dismay.
You have hurt yourself. 1t is bleed
ing. oh, Billy"
He shook the blood from the jagged
tear and looked up, flushing.
1T is nothing-only q scratch. There,
lift your foot quickly ~
She did as he told her, while he held
the springs apart, and then released them
AileeR murmured some confused words OF
thanks her thoughts were elsewhere.
Let me look at your hand" she COM
manded. "Oh, it is "a dreadful tear
You must cover it before anything gets
under the skin'-and she drew her hand.
kerchief out. returning it to her pocket
with deep blush. Let me have yours. y
Billy gave it her in silence. He set
his teeth. feeling that he could not re-
strain himself much longer. The sight
of Aileen with tears shining on her cheek,
the touch of her hands, her unusual gen.
tleness were all alike intoxicating. They
reminded him so strongly of all that he
had lost, of those few brief moments,
| those rare times, when he had fancied
that Aileen's heart was responsive to his.
You must battle your hand well with
warm water" she said, as she knotted the
ends of the handkerchief securely. II
hope it won't make any difference to your
rowing"
''Oh. no-not a scratch like that Why,
Aileen. you're cryingi"
"You-you are so unkind -
At this unfounded and startling charge
/ Bily's eyes opened wide.
What have 1 done nowY' be demand
| ed not unreasonably. almost beside him
self at the sight of her tears. -Aileen.
darling. don't cryl 1t drives me crazy.
Oh. do stop. Tell me what I'm to do
as Aileen sank down on the nearest sand
hill and sobbed wildly, and. il must be
confessed, ostentatiousiy. as il your
foot? Do you want me to go away?"
The sobs suddenly ceased. and Billy as
suddenly dropped on his knees beside his
very perplexing lady love. He drew
her hands down from her blushiRg face
and regarded her steadily.
II said wouldn't ask you again he
1 reraa rked when the scrutiny had satisfied
him. so you'll have to do it"
There was pause-a long pause; then
| suddenly. with gesture that spoke vol
umes Aileen flung herself into his out
stretched arms.
Il love you. Billy" she said simply.
Ii was Icng time afterwards. when
they were walking very slowly home
wards, that Billy suddenly remarked with
a happy laugh:
You haven't proposed yet. Aileen-
Il don't mean to do SO. Yes-l will,
for I've GOT the whip hand''-with a