Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-10-06
Hidden
Perils
CHAPTER II.-fContinued. J
By MARY CECIL HAY


Mr. Bartle, l really can only stay
very little time" she said, drawing his
armchair to the table, "only time just to
have little talk. l must be home again
before papa is up and about, or else"
A light dawned upon Abram as he
caught the ominous compression of the
childs lips. why, you don't mean to
tell me you are at home unbeknown to
papa"
''Oh, that ham," cried Lorraine, dis
appearing with suspicious promptitude.
Mr. Bartle," she explained, regretfully,
when she presently returned with it, lit
is burned; wish Mrs. Winnipeg hadn't
put it down quite so early"
II fear how it is" he said, in a vexed
tone, yet slipping one arm tenderly round
the slight restless form beside him. "Are
they angry with you at home"
How csn they be angry when papa
doesn't know? Una would never be an
CRY with me. Only the worst of it is, she
and Miss Shefford are frightened about
it all the time, worrying like. They won't
take any enjoyment out of me; they
will make themselves miserable thinking
they ought to tell papa. It's not very
sagely, because he hates me to be here,
or to be away from Aunt Farrissey, be-
cause she is to leave her money and ev-
erything to some of US, if she likes me
at least, papa thinks So"
"Papas very fond of you," said Abram
with supreme confidence, though his hand
fell an instant pityingly on the child's
head.
Fond of me! Oh, I wish he was!
I'd give up everything else in the world,
If he would be. l often think it would
be enough happiness to last year, If he'd
only once look at me as he often and often
looks at Una OF course, I'm very diff
ferent from Una; but I've seen father
in London quite as fond of his naughty,
ugly child, as of his good, pretty one.
You see, we are both papa's own children,
and he might forget the difference be-
tween us, and love me just a little. /
wouldn't ever ask for such love as he
gives Una, only little. But he never
will care for me. Nobody ever will but
Una and-you, perhaps, Mr.. Bartle."
me, perhaps" replied Abram, dryly.
The child was close within his arms now,
and could not see his face
Una often says" continued Lorraine.
thoughtfully, that it is best So l don't
exactly know what she means, but 1 ex-
pect, perhaps, she thinks if anybody loved
me, it would make mischief or uncom-
fortabeness. Do you think so, Mr.. Bar
tleT'
Highly probable. and in that case, of
course, you are better without the love
so don't you go and give any away either,
except that enormous quantity you offer
up at Miss Unas shrine"
but, Mr.. Bartle, 1 love you a good
deal, too"
II should hope So" exclaimed the old
man. honestly; land is that all?"
I'm afraid So" replied the child re-
gretfully. only, Mr.. Bartle, 1 want to
ask you a ques zion. You know Mr.. |
Rourke Trenham. don't your"
Yes"
do you like him?"
"Yes.p
Il thought you would" put in Cor
raine, apparently relieved. I'm very
glad"
Then / presume you like him, too?"
he asked, watching with amusement the !
gravity of the child's face.
well, you see, l never saw him till |
last night, because I've been away so
much and so has he. Yes, l like him
like him awfully. l shouldn't mind mar
rying him."
Your intention is to marry, them"
''Of course; all grown up ladies do.
Oh, Mr.. Bartle, see Mrs. Winnipeg
coming. Where shall l hide? She will
so scold me-"
rn,, have .tooJ e.
enough for it not to kill you, Gypsy"
But, before the consolatory speech was
ended, Abram was alone. Lorraine had
disappeared, like the wind, through a
door which led into the back premises,
and Judith came on hastily up the front
garden.
Rourke Trenham on his way to town
caught sight of a small dark object in a
loose haystack, and following up the clew,
he found it to be half buried head
crowned quite as thickly with dusty hay
as with short, ruffled hair. From the
warm grave from which this small OBJ
ject protruded. the figure attached to it
rose with a difficulty which took much
from the dignity which it strove to as
sumo at sight of him.
II say" began Rourke, Offering a
strong helping hand, you are wanted in
the house"
The child shrank back from him in
stantly, baffled, hunted look in her eyes,
her delicate brows drawn with sudden
fear.
Not papaY'
Not papa" returned Rourke, encour-
agingly, though it soon may be; I'd al
most forgotten that. Look here, Lor-
raine," he added, with a look almost of
anxiety on his careless brown face. rs
it very important that you should not
come across your father?'
Most important" replied Lorraine.
still keeping at a safe distance from him.
Lorraine, it is all up, l fear; your
father is here, and has heard you are
about the place. He must have heard it
on his way; at any rate. he knew it when
he came. Poor old Mr.. Bartle is in a
sad statel He is keeping back Mr.. Cav
eston in his search; but. unfortunately,
Judith has instituted one on her own ac-
count. Now, listen"
I'm listening with all my might and
main," was the quick, muffled answer
from above.
Nhen Uhey are safely IN here, III
close the door and keep them in CONVEX
sation before l let them come near the
ladder. That's to give you those few
minutes. Can you manage in that time
to escape. and get out of sight on your
way toward home? Una is there expect
ing you"
Il can do it."
Don't be rash in your spring. but
don't waste moment. Start when you
hear me say your name. I'll take you
il shall be loud enough to reach you, and
that the door shall be shut at the time"
Standing ready for action, but draw
ing hack from the chance of observation
from either outlet. the child waited She
heard Rourke leave the building below,
and some minutes afterward re-enter it
with Others. She heard no sound of the
5-or haio- ,foSai hns Sha s. 1