Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-10-27
Hidden
Perils
CHAPTER VI.
By MARY CECIL HAY

Rourke's eyes, brilliant in their excite
ment tonight, yet still with the wet
violet look which little Lorraine had
seen in them five years ago.
Rourke and Una were sitting in one
of the deep window seats of the great
hall at Hohve. He had led her to this
spot to rest, and now kept her sitting
beside him. while the dancing went on in
the long dining room and library at the
other end of the hail. and the vague en-
chantment Of the softened music lowered
about him.
Una, give me that promise once again,
my darling 1t was the sweetest music
that my ears could ever hear"
Una looked up brightly into the face
she had loved for all the years she could
remember.
II PROMISE" she said, seeing he was SO
much in earnest over the wish, always
to love you as l love you to-night-as
l have always loved you, Rourke; and
promise to be as true to you while you
are away as l should be if you were with
me every day Why, of course l SHALL"
the girl added, impulsively; Il never
could help it. | never could think of
any one else as think of you; you know
1t, Rourke"
And 1 promise" he said. very low, as
be took her face between his hands and
kissed it, ito come home to you, after
these two years. as true, as constant, as
entirely your own, Una, my darling, as
am tonight"
Years afterward, recalling this promise
which had gone from his heart with the
earnestness of prayer, he was grateful
that those had been the words exactly.
Then there was a silent, happy pause
between them, which the music brightly
filed. 1t was Una who broke 1t pres
emily.
And will you come tomorrow,
Rourke? We are not to bid good-by to-
night"
MY darling, no. can not bear such
a suggestion. l am coming tomorrow to
speak to Mr.. Gaveston. Guess, Una,
what he will say when l ask him for his
pet?"
HE never denies me anything, you
know, Rourke," she said, her head droop-
ing, as she toyed with the flowers on her
dress "and he is so fond of you. Don't
smile, Rourke, he is indeed; and he is
fond Of Hohve too. To have me settle
at Hohve near him would be the very
wish of his heart" she added, uncon-
sciously expressing the cause of Rourke's
smile. And you are going to leave me
with him for two years YETI"
Unfortunately, yes"
Just then Lucilla We're came up to the
window seat alone, her step idle and leis-
urely, but her eyes full of curiosity.
''Rourke, what do you Think Lots of
the ladies are dancing with Mr.. Newley,
and say he dances so well. think Mrs
Trenham must have asked them, for she
asked me. But l would not dance with
him, Rourke, unless you wish it, and 1
know you do not"
II hope you have no objection" said
Una, looking anxiously up into his face
as they all stood now, because Mrs.
Trenham asked me to give him dance,
and l promised. | thought you would
like to please her, Rourke"
He looked into her wistful eyes, and
the sudden anger died out of his own.
''You did it for the best" he said, "as
you do everything. But 1 would rather
not see the dance. Which is It'll"
"The last before supper"
The ball was half over. The band was
silent. The dancers were arranging mat
tiers with each other. Very few would
voluntarily sit through this new valse of
Godfrey's-very few ever do voluntarily
sit through the last dance before supper
Rourke, just relieved from one of his
duty dances and preparing to leave the
room, paused a moment beside Una. Her
last partner had left her on young Tren-
hams approach. The group around her
he did not heed as he spoke.
'You little know what hard work II In
for me to go away and give you up to
Newley. Don't require me to do it ever
again, Una. He is here on sufferance. He
had no right to take a mean advantage of
your kindness"
Don't stay away, Rourke," pleaded the
girl, timidly; "Tm-Im very sorry
promised Mr.. Newley. I wish l need
not dance this vaise with him"
you need not have promised" he
answered, quietly; having done so, of
course, you must give it to him. WHY
should you shrink from l. now? Don't
you remember saying he was gentlemanly
and danced well-I suppose" he added.
checking the sarcastic words, that l may
Join you again after supper
With still that restless longing in his
eyes, at variance with the happiness
which filed his heart when he told him
self again and again that Una loved him
Rourke turned away. As he slowly cross
ed the almost empty hall Newley over
took and joined him.
II wish you would oblige me by taking
my place through this dance" he began,
speaking with an exaggerated indifference.
81 DO not like to dsappoint Miss Caves
ton of it,"
Rourlxe saw in & moment that both his
words and Una's had been overheard: but
be felt nothing but great flaming wrath
at the insolence of the speech.
Are you addressing me?" he asked.
Yes" replied Newley, for he as rarely
as possible ased any name in addressing
Mrs. Trenham's stepson. II am tired of
the sameness Of this scene, and the tame
ness of all hear; but of all the partners
falling to my share Miss Gaveston is. in
my opinion. the most thoroughly enervat-
ing"
"Newley," said Rourke, with deadly
QuietneSS. ARE your words meant TO tempt
me 70 raise my hand against your
Il did not know" said Newley, calm
", that there was anything personal in
my remark. your name not being synony-
nous with Miss Gavestou's. But will you
oSlige me in this matter2 l want TO be
released, but do not like TO be the means
OF her losing any enjoyment II you
will not do So" added the steward placid
ly, of course, l must go hack
IF your fingers touch Miss Gaveston's
tonight" said Rourke. standing and fac
ing Horton Newley for minute, you
shall answer IL TO ne; not as one gentle
msn to another, but as servant to his
master; do you understandT'
you take my proposal Oddly" said
Newley, a slow smile curling his lips, and
one white-gloved hand leisurely pulling
his pointed wAiskerx- But he turned
away, entirely satisfied with the reception