Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-09-29

CHAPTER /

glass to brighten a pair of wide young
eyes which were peering out, and to take
for an instant into its warm and pitifu
embrace a little chill form which pressed
closely to the panes.
1t was a wonder, too, that the freight
should care TO struggle out in the dark
ness, when there were such comfortable
quarters for it indoors.
So Lorraine Galveston thought, as she
gazed in upon the warm, well-furnished
ROOM and felt how little she should care
to leave it if once she could effect safe
and secure entrance.
On a low chair before the fire, holding
her white, idle hands between her face
and the flame. sat a girl of sixteen, with
a gentle delicate face, bright, fair hair
and a slight, graceful figure, womanly
enough already to show that its growing
days had passed. A very pretty picture
Una Gaveston, sitting thus in her pleas
ant frelit sitting room, would have made
to any eyes; but to those envious ones
beyond the window panes it was picture
full of exquisite beauty, and warmth and
happiness and love.
with passing vexation on her face,
the little watcher drew hurriedly back
when the room door was opened from
without to admit maid servant carrying
In the tea. The child noted how her elder
sister turned her head to speak, and she
could guess how gentle and how kind
the words would be; then she waited, 81
lent and motionless, until the maid had
left the room again. Would it be safe to
venture now?
Again the door was opened, and Una's
governess entered, a pleasant looking,
gray-haired lady, whose first act was to
lay a caressing hand on Una's cheek The
child started forward, as if the chilliness
without had suddenly become unbearable
to her, and tapped quickly on the window
pane. Una and Miss Shefford started
back, alarmed for a moment; then, see
Ing the face at the low window, they let
the child into the warmth, and light and
shelter
where's papa"
Gone to Rohve to dine. He will be
away all the evening"" Miss Shefford
answered; while Una, laughing, yet al
most crying, too. caught her little sister
in her arms and kissed her. All the eau
ton, all the unsatisfed longings were
gone from the child's face now. She
danced about the room and cried, "Oh,
JOY oh. joy!"-and flung her arms
around her sisters neck and kissed the
grave old lady, and won such an excited
brilliance in her eyes that Miss Shefford
caught herself wondering almost sadly at
the difference which happiness could make.
in the child.
But what does it all mean, Lorraine?"
asked her sister, anxiously. How did
you come? What about Aunt Farrissey 2"
by train from London, and never
mind about Aunt Farrissey," returned
the child, impatiently. II won't have her
ugly old name mentioned. I'm come,
that's quite enough for you to l,now, and
to have to keep secret. May have tea I?
Oh! Una. if l could always be with"
The words were broken off abruptly,
and the child shrank back, sudden pale
ness overspreading her small gypsy face,
for a footstep was advancing along the
passage.
Una followed her with smile Don't
be startled, dear. 1t is Rourke Trenham,
! expect. He generally comes here when
papa goes to Hohve to dine with Mrs
Trenham. It's a relief to him to get
away"
From his mother?" questioned Lor-
raine. without advancing.
well, she isn't his own mother. YOU
know. Do you forget these things?'
Il forget nothing" was the emphatic
answer.
Rourke Trenham heard it as he entered
the room, and, tracing it to its source,
gazed astonshed at the muffled figure of
the child still drawn back in the recess:
and for the few moments that he did so
her eyes were fixed upon him with DELHI
crate inquisitiveness. So they stood
through those moments of their first meet
ing, and never through all the after years
could one of them forget the thought
which lay behind that gaze, nor could the
other bear TO recall ii.
II believe you two have really never
met before" said Una, taking her little
sisters hand; ''but, Rourke, you surely
know enough of Lorraine TO need no in
PRODUCTION"
Miss Shefford turned away, smiling at
the unaffected. old-faShioned speech of the
girl of sixteen.
Lorraine. is it? Oh! I know all about
her. How do you do? You certainly look
rather dishevelled and seedy," remarked
Rourke, with a laugh in his eyes, as he
shook the small, cold hand, but l hope
you are pretty we'll"
Lorraine, coming forward TO enjoy the
fire, in a spirit of sudden friendliness in
formed him that she was as we'll as she
could desire. and moreover that she had
run away.
And how long do you intend to stay?"
AS long as 1 can keep hidden from
papa
oh, hush, Lorraine, DEAR" cried Una,
laying her fingers on her little sisters
restless lips. lit sounds almost wicked;
We must tell papa"
But l shall be more comfortable If
we make an agreement. Suppose you
promise me not TO tell, and promise to
do the next thing as you ask me-"
"A most tempting offer" unused Rourke,
taking his own seat opposite Una, "and
not terms TO be lightly rejected. I'll
turn it over in my mind"
tall, well-made fellow of twenty
years: his head set nobly on his shout
+ ders. his movements easy and possessing
q certain natural grace; his eyes laugh
ingly. even mischievously, bright
They look something like wet yiolets."
she fancied TO herself, seeing nothing
child that she was-of the fierce passion
which lay dormant behind their happy,
laughing gentleness.
And he. amused by her examination,
even reading the evident approval of her
gaze. began TO criticise. in his turn, the
uplifted gypsy face. he noted pair OF
dark. unsatisfed eyes, the whites OF which
had such a marvellous clearness that at
times 1t made their brightness almost
dazzling, while at other tunes y mane
their gentleness most touehins. Inns Pc
culiarity, and the straight, delicate brows
above, gave them a wonderful look OF