Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-04-28
CHAPTER XII.


CHAPTER XI.
If Adare had not seen those sad tears
running down Amber's cheeks, someone
else did. A tall, dark man, coming out
from the shadows of the few trees that
surround the Mil House, quickly fol-
lows her, and now is at her side.
80 that is all your new-found rela-
ton can do for you, says Brian Deane,
ito make you cry your eyes out. What
have ever any of your mothers people
done TO. you. but that? Even your lady
motber'-with scornful emphasis on
the adjective.
Don't speak to me now Brian. /
want to be alone" Her tone is heart
broken, and to this man, who in his own
wild, rough way loves her as we'll as even
Adare does this gentle answer from Am
Der, when he has been expecting one of
the usual shutting up" order. adds fuel
to the FIRE of the passion that has been
consuming him ever since he first met
her
IF it is his fault that you are CRYING
now-if he has given you one sore
thought. III choke the life out of him."
IF you are really talking of Captain
Adare, Le has had nothing to do with my
crying" says she slowly, as if thinking.
as IL making very sure. "No, it is life
that troubles me. I'm tired of it al
ready, Brian, and that's the fact There's
30 much against me, too little for me-"
"A strong thing for yoa is better than
a few weak things against you," says he
grufHy. Then, after pause. Pm for
you ~ He has plainly great faith in his
own powers.
Yes, / know''-indifferent know
You are always very kind"
Kind 1t isn't that" says he. swing
ing round to her. 1T is you who might
be kind, for the matter of that. I'll tell
you the truth now. straight here. l wor-
ship the very ground you walk on. I'd
sell my soul for YOU"
stand therer' her voice rings out
clear and calm.
He had made a movement towards her,
but now checks himself as if paralyzed.
Her exquisite head is thrown back, her
eyes are fixed on his. There is no
thought of fear in all her slight and beau
titul body. What do you mean" says
she, by speaking to ME like this? 1t is
absurd. ] do not wish for your love-"
lis that,'-he frowns heaviy-"be-
cause you desire his?"
His? Captain Adare's. you mean"
She speaks clearly still, though her lips
whiten a little. "He is nothing TO me-"
"You are still free, then? Tiff r.
looking round him. and sinking his voice
-"if ] could clear your fathers mem
ory"-Amber. who has turned away. now
suddenly looks back at him. her eyes
lighting-"if l could say where those
lost Jewels are"
"Briani You know. You know. Oh.
say, say that you know"
II can know, If you will make it
worth my while" says he, with cold
so-c Of laugh. you know what mean
See here, my girl, if l tell you where the
stones are-if clear yo9r fathers mem
ory--for that l know is what you are
up to-wih you marry me?"
There is a dead pause. To clear her
fathers memory. The father who had
been so dear to her in her early life
the father who had been kind to her to
the end, whose memory now is the only
thing on earth she has to reverence, to
love-
She hesitates here. Her breath grows
quicker. Is that memory to her father
All that indeed now she has TO love? This
sudden inrushing OF new thought upon
the old one checks her, and finally steadies
her, The father who had loved her In
the old days, before time and grief had
deadened his senses, would wish her above
everything to be happy, TO be free She
turns to Deane.
"No. Not even for that" As she
saws II she turns away from him, aud
stems out quickly towards the house.
Straight TO his sisters sitting room he
goes. Esther Deane, small. fragile. a
hare fragment of a woman, with pale
blue eyes sunk in face almost emaciat-
ed. looks up from the eternal patchwork
she Is always employed on, TO greet him.
His entrance has changed the entire ex-
preston of her face. Through the sullen
dullness that usually characte1izes it.
CLEAN Of honest joy now shows On this
brother she has lavished all he small
stock OF love that even the col lest crea-
ture must contain in his or her breast.
Il want to talk 10 you." say he. about
those jewels"
WHAT She starts TO her feet. You
have found them?"
Not exactly. have made discov-
cry. however"
my letter to you. enclosing those pa
perx, was of use. then?'
Yes" He draws in little. AT
least"
Il knew it" interrupts she triumph
antly. "When l went over the old mans
pa,,ers. and saw those strange scribblings.
with the arrows on them. and then noted
his words, l felt there was something in
them: something that you ought TO
know"
Look here. Esther be says. the give
and take syssom is the honestest all round
the one / hang on to. Come. IN
make q proposition to you. II you viii
help me TO marry Amber. III take yoa
and Amber and the jewels to Australia
1t is a bargain rs Esther was silent She
turns again to her writing table and thus
conceals the terrible change that has come
over her face. He loves that girl Am
Der. He loves Amber! All her-fss-
Tiers love for him: all her care; all the
eager desire for his welfare that has LED
her Through these jeweis) almost to the
verge Of crimA Is now to be cast ssidA