Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-09-24

WITCH" she said half aloud, as she turned
away to blow out the candles. He never
noticed if 1 looked nice or not. He re-
CARDS me just as an Intellectual machine. /"
CHAPTER XIII
was surprising to all The BereSfOrds
10 find how much they missed Angus
presence and unobtrusive help when they
were removed from the Rectory circle.
Every hour Of his absence intensified this
loss to Moyra, and she recognized the
little klndnesses, the help, and the prompt
assistance that had been hers. She had
been alone so long and the break in her
old habits had been so brief that she
could not understand why the resump-
ton of them should be so filed with
pain.
The day of his departure had still an
other event to mark it unpleasantly in
Moyra's memory. That evening the Rec
tor, Terry and the two eldest girls were
to dine at the big house, but that did not
prevent Billy and Vera from making
their appearance in the school room at
tea time, Billy with request for Prof.
Lewisson's address, as Mr.. Fenton was
anxious that he should join the dinner
party. After the gloom of the day the
spirits of the family began to revive,
and tea became very lively meal In
spite of his sisters protests. Terry was
mimicking Prof. Lewiston, when sudden
ly Bride, who was facing the window,
jumped up with scream.
HWhat fs tho
to have fit? What did you see, Bride p
were remarks that were distinct in the
hubbub that arose, but Bride had flown to
the window and was christening it as
quickly as her excitement would allow.
She threw the sash up, and the next
instant laughing voice cried:
May I come in? Or must say, like
Paul Pry, hope 1 don't intruder"
"Why, It's Charteris ~ Terry exclaim-
ed, open-mouthed and open-eyed, as Ber-
tram sprang lightly into the room.
II assure you, Moyra," he cried, in
laughing protest of her grave face, 81
was intending to make an orthodox entry,
but the way was long, the wind was
cold and the light across the lawn tempt
ed me, and then Bride finished my fair
looking at her with merry eyes. "Why,
Terry, l never expected to see youi And
how are you, Aileen? 1t is ages since
we met"
He went around 'the table, shaking
hands with those he knew, smiling in
very friendly fashion as he was introduc-
ed to the strangers.
81 met a man in town, charming fell
low, who knows you very WE'LL" he said to
Fenton, as he sank into seat beside
Bride. "He is Trinity man named Or
mond."
YES" said Billy, rather indifferently.
81 know his name but the acquaintance
does not go any further
when did you come back, Bertram %
Bride inquired. The color his sudden
appearance had brought was still in her
cheeks. She was looking radiantly love
ly and so unafectedly happy that Moyra
clenched her hands at the sight.
Exactly three hours ago-just time
enough to have some lunch, change, and
get rid of smoke and dust, and then 1
came here. / could not stay away any
longer" he added. in an undertone that
only Bride heard. She smiled and blush
ed, and her eyes shone with happiness.
Bertram was evidently very pleased to
be amongst his friends, and laughed and
talked in his gayest, most fascinating
manner. He did not seem to notice that
his arrival had caused cessation of the
laughter and joking that had been going
on. He talked little about his absence /:
he had been very busy, he said vaguely /;
he was more anxious 10 know how the
Beresfords had been spending their time.
and he began making plans for skating
parties and the like.
A lit lie later Hammond came in with
note, which she presented to Moyra-
Aileen, who sat baside her sister, saw her
face brighten suddenly as she read, but
it was not until Billy made a move to
depart that she said to him:
'Will you please thank Mrs. Fenton.
Billy, and tell her Bride shall go with
us? Mrs. Fenton wants you to go with
us too, Bride" she said, addressing the
girl, who seemed about to protest, and
did so as soon as Billy had gone.
II would rather not go, Moyra," Bride
said. IL would prefer to stay at home
l don't want to go out tonight"
Moyra glanced from the flushed face
to Bertram's smiling countenance; his
eyes. laughing as they were still, had a
touch of defiance in them. He could see
plainly when he chose, and his glance told
her that he saw through her anxiety not
to leave Bride near him, and he defied her
to win as easily as she expected to do.
Il wish you TO go, Bride" she said,
with upusal authority in her voice. and
she began to talk of passing events, de-
termired not to leave until Bertram had
gone, and she could take Bride with her.
Then the conversation became general
again. Terry wanted to know something
of Bertram's foreign experiences, and
during the talk that ensued Angus Rob
ertson's name was continually brought up
by one or another of the Beresfords. Pres
emily Charters turned to Bride. who was
sitting in her favorite attitude near the
FIRE, her hands clasped round her knee,
her face upturned to him.
you have not forgotten your promise
about the portrait, Bridef" be asked.
when may begin?''
Brides pink cheeks grew pinker; she
pouted her lips like a child, and looked
perilously near tears.
"Moyra says l had better not she
said brokenly.
Bertram looked at Moyra in mild sur
prise. but before she could make any re-
ply Hammond reappeared. Some one had
called to see the Rector, and insisted
upon seeing Miss Beresford. Moyra was
obliged to 80. She could only hope that
Terry. who was talking of boating, was
so enamored with the subject that he
would talk until she returned. She hur-
ried back to the school room, to find Lulu
still playing with her dolls, Terry absent,
and the other two in close Capitalization
over the FIRE. Bride started almost guilt
lily as her sister came in; Bertram was
gay and ineonseauential as ever.
FERRY has gone" he said lightly. 'and
1 must 50 too. l know you all want TO
make yourselves even more charming
than usual" He looked up at Moyra
with his good-tempered smile. and as he
did so a slight change came over his face.
Some one has been increasing the con-
tents Of her jewel box" he said idly.
May look at hat very quaint broochs'
She unfaStened il anwilingly, and he