Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-09-10
CHAPTER TX.

party to return home Tea was nearly at
an end when the Rector appeared. The
younger ones had gone off to finish the
house decorations, taking Angus and Ter
ry with them. Bride and Aileen had re-
fused to join them so soon. The Rector
was in high spirits.
I've been to the big house." he an
nounced, not noticing Aliens start.
''They are delightful people. The house
is furnished in perfect taste. They might
have lived there for years. l saw Mr..
and Mrs. Fenton. She was the daughter
of the Earl of Beckenwith, but she has
dropped her title. He is a quiet, gentle
manly fellow"
The Rector had evidently enjoyed his
visit and formed very favorable impress
sions of his new parishioners. The al
terations in the house and gardens had
evidently taken his fancy, and he talked
about them until he had finished his tea
and risen to leave. Then he observed
| casually
"Oh, the Fentons have got daughter
about Delda's age, Moyra They have
only a son and this child. / asked her
to come across tomorrow evening after
dinner and make friends with our young
sters We may expect her about eight
o'clock for an hour or so, her mother said.
BY the way, Aileen, the son is up at
Trinity. Do you know anything about
him? The father seemed to imply that he
was rather we'll known there"
Il suppose he is" Aileen said care
lessly. HE rowed in the varsity eight
and is captain of the Rugby team. He'll
never do anything in the other branches
of collegiate education"
"Well, two blues ought to be enough
for any man! l promised Mrs. Fenton
you would call as soon as possible, Moy-
ra. You might so as well, Aileen. You
and young Fenton might have some COM
mon interest"
He set his cup down, rallied Bride on
her quietness, and departed to his study.
A minute or two later Aileen also went
away, and Moyra and Bride were left to-
gether. 1t was the moment for which
Moyra had been anxiously waiting, and
yet now that it had come she felt a
sudden painful nervousness come over
her. Suppose Bride were to keep silent
She looked anxiously at the girl who sat
in the circle of the freight, her cheek
resting on her hand, her eyes fixed on
the rudy heart of the fire. The suspense
was sickening, the reaction almost as
painful, when Bride said abruptly:
I've had a lovely present, Moyra
Bertram has sent me beautiful book of
poems, and-and such a nice note. Would
you like to see it?"-and shyly Bride
drew the precious parcel from its hiding
place. II did not want the others to
know" she said, as Moyra took the book.
''They laugh and tease so, and l don't
want to be leased about Bert. Isn't
it lovely?"
at is beautifully bound" Moyra agreed.
turning the pages over. her lips compress
ing as she saw that here and there verses
had been lightly penciled, and sometimes
note of vaguely sentimental, strictly
impersonal character had been written.
The poems were the productions of a
minor poet whose claim to long life was
entirely due to his printers. Very charm
ing-beautifully got up" she commented
aloud. 1T is a pity the poems are not
more worthy of the care expended on
them"
IL thought they were beautiful" Bride
said meekly. ''They are so nice and
short, and there are not many of them"
"All recommendations in your eyes, eh,
dear? Well, it was kind of Bertram to
send them. l suppose he wanted to make
some acknowledgment of our kindness to
him, and he thought the poems would
| find the most favor in your eyes," Moyra
said. hating herself for speaking so. And
Il - ko In ls.ff 81 h,l1
! ing UP her hand as matter of course.
Bride hesitated. but lifelong obedience
prevailed. and she slowly gave the note
into the outstretched hand.
"Don't-don't criticize il, Moyra," she
whispered, and then hurried from the
room.
1t was very clever letter, Moyra
| thought angrily-a letter which could
be read in many ways. High-down and
little sentimental. but non-committing,
would be the ordinary persons verdict
on il. But it would not be classed like
that by Bride, romantic girl already
disposed to view the writer with more
favor than he deserved.
''He has no right to write to her so. .
Moyra declared, and while she sat with
/ the book and the letter still on her knee
the Rector entered in search of her. She
was worried and perpleSed. and almost
without intention she told her trouble to
him.
The Rector was inclined TO 'pooh-pooh"
| the whole matter. Bertram was senti-
mental lad who was naturally attracted
/ by Brides uncommon beauty 1t was not
at all likely that Bride would take such
little coarteSies and attentions seriously.
But it is likely she does so already"
Moyra answered irritably. ''She hasn't
a scrap of ambition in her, and, il she
| gets the idea that she is in love with
him, she viii never lose it. You know
what she is. Her affections are slow,
but they ere lasting. And surely you
don't want her TO marry Bertram Char
teris. even If he means anything. which
l doubt exceedingly. He is incapable of
more than Irritation" she added bitterly.
''0f course / don't want him to marry
! Bride. / hook TO her to make the match
OF the family. l shall write TO Lady
Sarah as soon as the holidays are over.
But am afraid. Moyrs dearest yeu are