Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-11-10
CHAPTER TX


Breakfast just over at Hampton
House; Mr.. Gaveston gone out, and the
girls lingering over the fire in the break
fast room
1T is chilly enough Una said, ITO
make one appreciate fire in the morn
ipgs and evenings now. The winter has
come upon us gunawares during Rourke's
stay in London
Chilly enough" put in Lorraine, bask-
ing IN me warm, Ito keep one lingering
idly over it, instead of being up and do
ing. What do you intep5 10 be up and
doing today"
Don't you remember that Rourke
begged us not to make arrangements for
to-day until ne came-both of us? He
particularly said to me-
When he particularly leaves ais orders
with you, Una," interrupted the younger
sister, Il always know that the spirit of
Aunt Farrissey influences the house still.
She used constantly and pathetically to
tell Athol We're that / was not to be
trusted"
Why remember such things, Lorraine,
dear? said her sister, smiling: mo one
thinks so now. Only few days ago you
told me that all the hardness and coldness
of that time were forgotten, and that
you could feel no want while we were
together"
80 l did" CT led Lorraine, bending
and laying her lips upon her sisters, land
l meant it, too l quite meant it. Now,
that's enough about Aunt Farrissey and
the old life"
Yes; because a loving and pleasant
one has begun for all of US, has not it?'
asked Una, brightly. "And we are so
happy. Lorraine she added after a
moment's pause, you will not refuse
again to cc1he with Rourke and me?"
Lorraine leisurely placed one foot upon
the fender and looked critically down
at it.
II have an appointment at II O'Clock
that will detain me ali the morning.
IAN appointment, dear With whom?"
Don't be inquisitive, Una. With
young person"
"Oh, Lorraine, you could put it off"
Impossible who Gould detect jar
ring note in the grave, serious voice?
And you viii tell Mr.. Trenham this
when he comes, if he so much as remem-
bers the part of his request which related
TO me-"
Don't call him Mr.. Trenham," pleaded
the elder sister, wistfully; 1T sounds SO
strange and he always feels hurt. | can
see it in his face, l can hear it in his
voice whenever he answers to your Mr..
Trenham."
"Rourke, Rourke though repeated
so quizzically, the word was still most
softly uttered-"how can | call him
Rourke? The name is full of corners
which 1 can not get round"
"Yet we have never been used to speak
of him by any other name, have we?
Do you dislike it, dearf'
Eyes, it Is harsh and hard to say.
should require long practice before 1 ven
tured to pronounce 1t in public"
Almost eleven o'elock?" cried Lor-
raine, turning from the fire with nervous
haste. una, you were causing me to
forget my appointment; shall only just
be in time now. Don't you come into
my room to disturb me-"
Again the dingy little sitting room,
which had been Lorraine's school room
the room which, during this visit to
Hampton House, she had so persistently
Stunned. She sat here now voluntarily
and alone, without extra light or warmth,
or sound; yet none of the old memories
chung about her no ghost of the old days
haunted her. Sitting with her head thrown
back in her clasped hands, she sang to
herself as if she would drown some real
Or fancied sound.
rap upon the door, and Joan entered,
her rosy face assuming even more aston
ishment than it normally wore, on finding
her raistress here alone while there were
sounds of merry talk and laughter in the
hall below.
Joan was promoted now to be maid to
the young mistress, whom, during those
seven past years, she had surreptitiously,
as it were, grown to love with all her hon
est heart and she bore the honor with
a certain grave dignity mixed with con-
tiunal aatonishment, which amused Lor-
raine greatly.
Did you ring, miss?"
Lorraine paused in her singing, and
turned her grave eyes to the girl.
yes; 1t is eleven o'clock, and l have
an appointment with you nova very
important one"
Bring my copybook and things, miss?'
Inquired Joan briskly.
NO." rejoined Lorraine rather tired
ly, ''the way l keep this appointment is
for you to bring your sewing and sit at
thu window, while l play, or-do any
thing"
SO the hours went on; but Lorraine's
solitary occupations were not all engross-
ing. and before the morning was over she
decided TO overlook her maid going |
through her favorite study of writing |
letter to an imaginary friend-a length |
ened process for Joan, as she always had |
to make several copies before perfection |
was attained. Then the bell rang for the |
servants dinner, and after an hours soli- |
tude Lorraine was summoned TO her lunch |
in the large, gloomy dining room. Shiv- |
ering a little. she took her seat alone AT |
the long table. and began to eat.
Yet this was but enc more day, she |
said to herself. and there might be many |
to spend before Miss Shefford returned |
from Kensington, or Rourke Trenham |
went to fulfill that promise, which he had |
told Athol We're he considered to be a |
binding one, to his friend in Scotland. |
Had he forgotten having sal so, or |
thought so? For day after day he lin |
gered in London.
And yet who could feel surprised at |
Rourke's unwillingness 10 leave town
while his betrothed was there?
CHAPTER Y.
These autumn days went by on noise |
less. sunny wings for Una. She re-
joiced with all her heart over Rourke's
presence in the somber London
house If his moods were sometimes an