Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-02-04
A CROWN OF FAITH
CHAPTER x1v.-tcontinued.)

CHAPTER XIV.-(Continued.)
Then what do you mean to do? Hav
you told Mrs Wycherly how much 20,
detest being made a prisoner of for lifef'
All! you do not know mamma" re
Piled Ella, with a shudder. You thinl
me daring. defiant, full of spirit? So
am when not in her presence but befor'
her am cowed, abject. frightened. Hav'
you not seen it? / cannot account fo
this. l have been afraid of my mother
ever since | can remember. | never dar'
to tell her how mad and miserable tn'
idea of this imprisonmnt makes me, Of
IL / hint even at it, she annihilates me
scorches me, withers me with her scorn-
what an awful woman :" said Ldone
passionately
''She is my mother said Ella, with
a dreary smile; land she fancies she IL
doing right"
"How can she fancy SOL" asked Lione
excitedly. Amy clergyman of any de
nomination would tell her she was doin:
evil Only what crime is this which has
te be expiatedf"
''Do not ask me now" said Ella. u
was about to tell you, but / have lost
the courage. Some other time | will tel
you"
She looked at him strangely. sorrow
fully. and his blood curdled at the unwel
come thought that this delicate creature
should in any way be tainted by so muci
as the shadow of evif. He Ionged to say
Whose crimef' But he d, red not ash
the question, nor dared be allLde again t
that love of his-that strong lassion 70
Ella Wycherly. the roots Of which wer'
In his very se;3. and twined about tn
very fibers OF his being. Something il
her look conveyed to him that he was no
the ideal hero whereof she had spoken
But you sSn my help. Miss Wycher
w." he raid. You know how far 70,
may command ne"
II know" she answered Quickly: "alC
now we come TO the pith of the subject
am only eighteen, and my mother cai
claim possession OF me for three year,
longer. Now she designs this autumn t,
take me over TO Italy. must escap,
long before then. | must earn my owl
living. should like to go upon tbs
stage. Will you assist me?"
Willingly. But public career is full
of difficulties. lou would need money
81 viii gi'e You my jewels to sell fol
me- Sid the girl quickly; they are mJ
own, and WORTH two thousand pounds.
wish 10 be independent"
II see you do" replied Lionel, with 9
sigh. But have you thought of the fac
that in presenting yourself in public. ther'
is danger of your being recognized ant
claimed by Mrs. Wycherly?'
81 was only talking nonsense" sh,
said. II do not wish TO go upon the
stage. | only wanted TO observe how my
grave and reverend tutor would like tn,
idea Of my becoming an actress. No. Mr.
Leigh; | should like to do something. lie
me give lessons in singing; that is N!
forte; and let me earn my living quietl!
under another name. ! have been wei
taught in London aud abroad"
But to cast yourself upon the worlt
of London-alone?" hesitated Lionel.
"Ah! | am sure could take care O
myself" said Ella.
Pardon me- you know nothing of tn,
world. Is there no ones-ro woman FRIEND
whom YOU could trust where you woult
be safe:"
IL hate women friends ~ cried Ella
Ia burst of temper, for which Lione
was at loss to account. mo; | have nc
friends-women friends. nor any of the
nobler sex. see | must depend upon
myself"
II am not deemed worthy to be called
a friend, OF course" said the tutor.
NO" replied the capricious Ella. 81
think you mean well. of course; but i
would be quite impossible that you should
comprehend me, or sympatnize with me-.
Lionel was wounded to the core b,
this caprice. He flushed hotly.
"Iou are Miss Wycherly. of Wycher
~" he said proudly. THAT constitute
a barrier between you and mere teacher
of languages
Il am Miss Wycherly, of Wycherly.
she replied, flashing on him look Of in
tense scorn; "and | will have the homo
to wish you good afternoon"
She pointed to path across the fields
If you follow that" she said. lit viii
take you TO Wyeherly. / shall return
through the wood"
And without another word she sweep
down the narrow woodland pats., leavin,
him in sorrowful amazement to watcl
Esr receding form.