Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-10-29
CHAPTER XXI

CAA<hA -N-NA
The clock on the staircase was chin
| ing nine when Moyra cautiously opened
| the door of Aileen's room and peeped in.
Aileen started up.
I'm so sorry to wake you, dear"
Moyra said, "but this not has come for
you, and the boy Is waiting for an an
| swer."
She lighted the candles and brought
them to the bedside while Aileen tore
open the envelope her cheeks flushing as
she read the contents. The letter was
! from Professor Lewiston, very brief and
very formal, and to the effect that he was
leaving for town that morning and should
be very glad TO see Aileen alone at any
hour convenient to her.
Its from the Professor. isn't itP"
Moyra said, and as she gave Aileen her
writing pad she remarked with apparent
irrelevance, Brides head is awfully bad
this morning: she seems quite feverish.
told her to stay in bed for an hour or
two. If she is not better she must not go
tomorrow"
NO" Aileen murmured idly, as she
signed her short note. 1t is doubtful If
she knew of what Moyra was talking, so
engrosSed was she in her own concerns
Il suppose you have had breakfast? Send
Hammond up with some tea for me; will
you, MoyraI l don't want anything to
eat. IL have got a headache"
You don't look as bright as you did
twelve hours ago." Moyra replied
Merry nights make sorrowful morn
ings,' as old nurse used to tell us"
Il never sleep well after and excite
ment, Aileen answered. almost apollo
getically.
Her head was aching frantically. she
felt bruised and hurt mentally and physi-
cally, but after her bath and the hot,
strong tea that Moyra had sent up she
began TO recover herself. She had spent
the brief night in bitter, unavailing tears
for the decision at which she had arriy-
| ed: she felt that nothing that fame might
have in store for her could atone or COM
| pensate for this sacrifice of her natural
desire, snd affections, that the greenest
laurel crown was as dust in comparison
with the look in Billys eyes when they
met hers. But with the morning the real
sense OF conviction, the true strength of
purpose. that had already stood her in
stead. began to reassert themselves, and
even as she brushed away the tears, that
would rise each time she caught glimpse
of the big house through the bare trees
and tied on a heavy veil 10 hide their
traces. she told herself that she had chos-
en- the better path.
1T is only his masculinity that appeals
70 me so strongly" she said as she went
downstairs. Il have chosen wisely.
could never be really happy without a
true intellectual atmosphere.
There was no one In the hall, but she
went out By the back door. Confident as
she was OF her own right doing. she felt
that the associations of the porch were
too fresh to be again recalled with equan-
| unity.
II was cold. cherries morning. with 8
heavy fog shrouding trees and sandhills,
and making walking across the heavy
sand very tedious. Ii took her longer
than usual 10 reach the shore In eonse-
quence, and the hour she had fixed for
their meeting had passed by some minutes
when she arrived on the frner sand The
shore was very desolate-riyer. sky. and
sand were ell Of one moRotonous gray,
and, TO make matters worse. q fine driz-
zle began to fall. Aileen shivered and
drew the collar Of her coat closer about
her throat. Her heart sank in an unac-
countable way as she recognized the Pro
fessor walking towards her.
Il wish l did not feel so like victim
prepared for sacrifice. a feminine Mar
Gus Curtin" she thought, with dismal
hurnor, an she put her hsnd into bis and
answered his Inquiries as to her wellbe-
sng.
II an afraid you win think I suggest