Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-08-20
CHAPTER III.

place purely residential. situated at the
mouth of a large tidal river, the opposite
bank of which was occupied by we'll
knowp seaport. Caterham itself was
wholly given up to commerce. On the
elearest day a murky cloud hing over
it, and at night long lines of fights mark
ed the extent of its great docks. In the
summer Caterham West was a favorite
resort of excursionists, who, however,
confined themselves almost entirely to the
pier and the far-stretching shore with
its lighthouse and the antique fort that
was supposed to be Caterham's defense
in times of war. Lodging houses and
refreshment rooms were abundant in
Lower Caterham, but the higher reaches
of the locality, stretching down to the
sand hills beyond the trippers' resorts,
were very exclusive, and many a wealthy
Caterham merchant had built his house
on the side of the rounded bill and had
no connection with the lower town. In
winter, when the restaurants and oyster
saloons were closed and cards hung in
every lodging house window, the Cater
ham residents considered the place their
own; but in summer, like the Romans of
old they retired to their heights before
the stream of Goth had poured across
the broad river.
Moyra's visits passed off very sassfac-
torily, and the two sisters were walking
homeward in the gathering gloom, Lulu
chatting briskly, when loud voice hailed
them by name, and a tall, awkward WON
an, very badly dressed, came up to them.
How do you do?" she exclaimed, in
boisterous tones. I'm going your way.
That child wants plenty of cod liver oil,
Moyra. She'll be going off in decline
if you don't take care"
''She's stronger than she looks" Moyra
answered quietly. What a nice day it
pose you will help in the decorations as
usualT'
AS a rule Miss Prior was ready and
willing to talk of herself and her paro-
chial work-she fondly believed that she
was the only person who did any work
in the parish; she could never have be-
lieved that she was a thorn in the flesh
to both Rector and curates-but 1t that
moment she was primed with news of an
other kind, and she let the illusions to
the decorations pass.
"Have you heard that the Mount is
taken at last?' she demanded 81 thought
you would not My dear Moyra, it is
your duty as the Rector's daughter to
know all that is going on in the parish
OF course l know you depend upon me
but suppose l was not here? You must
grow accustomed to think and act for
yourself. Yes, it is taken at last. !
heard it from the baker, who got it from
the agent The people are coming in
as soon as possible; there is an invalid
who is coming for the air. They will be
your near neighbors, but you must not
know housekeeping her voice mystic
riously "Of course the Rector will call.
but you must not. They are undesira-
bic people. 1t is really awful to think
of that splendid place being in such
know the use of the various rooms. You
must look after that Bride of yours
with a meaning laugh.
Moyra raised her head with quiet dig
nifty.
What did you say was the name?"
''Oh, er-Fenton Oh, yes-it is ia.
milar enough l"-as Moyra repeated ii
musingly. you see it everywhere Fen
toms backing is the best They are
the people"
1T is very good backing"
Miss Prior shifted There was a faint
giggle from Lulu, and Moyra made haste
to change the subject. For her part she
was not sorry that the big house which
shared the long narrow avenue with the
Rectory had at length found a tenant
She always felt sorry for the desolate
look of the house, which was only visible
from the Rectory when the trees were
bare, yet was only divided from its gar
den by sunk fence.
They walked on to the gates of the
avenue, Miss Prior complaining of the
senior curate's delinquencies and the lax
management of the coal club. At the
gate. however, she stopped abruptly and
commanded Lulu to run on as she wished
to speak to Moyra privately.
81 feel it my Christian duty. Moyra,
Miss Prior began solemnly, Ito say this
Believe me, speak only for your good
when l warn you against allowing any
personal sentiment to override your
knowledge of what is your duty"
What do you mean, Miss Prior?"
Come, come, my dear, there is nc
need to lose your temper! 1 am speaking
as your friend. Bertram Charters is
very fascinating, / dare say--although
you are not so young as when he was
last at home. You must not allow your
self to be carried away" She paus-
ed rather abruptly. She fancied tina:
Moyra was laughing. Her voice certain
" shook as she replied and the reply
did not satisfy her hearer. 1t savored
of double meaning. Miss Prior fancied.
You may be quite sure l shall always
act according to my convictions, Miss
Prior"
What did Miss Prior mean by talking
! about Bersram as she did," Lulu asked
/ curiously, as they entered the avenue
And wsly should she warn you? l think
/ Bertram is awfully nice !"--in her most
/ grown-up voice. so does Bride. Ber
tram wants to paint Brides portrait. oh
Hammond is lighting the gas in tn,
/ school room :"
I'm race you TO the door," Moyra sale
| quickly; and away the two went.
off directly TO the school room wher
they entered The house. Moyra, psusine
to open some letters in the hall, heard
her exclaim suddenly as she entered "a,
school room.
WHO is here?" Moyra demanded. al
most sharply. as the housemaid passet
her with the tea things. Il said Not al
home. Hammond"
''Yes,m, but he went past the schoo
room window, and be saw Miss Bride
and she let him in"
For a second Moyra hesitated, and rher
moved slowly TO the school ROOM
CHAPTER III.
Nov, here is Moyra with yengeanc'
in her eye" said a laughing, careles:
voice. "As you are strong, be me-ciful
Moyrs. l ought not to have come.
know. but l am always doing what
/ ought not 10 do"
The school room looked the picture O
comfort, and so did Bertram Charteri:
as he lounged in the easiest armchair
| with Bride l-,Ts1Sisa him smiling