Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-12-08

drive, fancy. The sleep will do her
great good
With these words of Miss Shefford's
in her ears, Lorraine drove away, glad
at heart as she thought Of Una. and
laughing a little at herself, as she re-
called that momentary dream of the car
riage returning without her.
Il will not disturb Una,y Rourke
thought, as he went upstairs that night.
Sleep is good for her."
He caught sight ;;est then of the baby
being fed at his dressing room fire and
be turned in to speak to the nurse
DO not go to your mistress until you
have Miss Sheffords permission. You
have no need, have your
None, sir" the woman answered,
thinking rather proudly how entirely in
dependent the child was, and had always
been, of his delicate mother.
Then don't forget, please. Good
night"
In the morning Miss Shefford told him
Una was still asleep that she had had a
most tranquil night, but yet 1t was bet
ter not to disturb her, as, the sleep would
probably do her so much good.
And Trenham said Quite right. If l
am gone before she wakes. Miss Shefford,
will you tell her l shall be home as
early as / can, but that l have business
in Alton, which will take me most of
the dayr'
On his return he was told that his wife
still slept, and now the tidings seemed
to surprise him-just a little.
Can it be wellY' he asked Miss Shelf
ford, and the old lady said she could not
quite understand il, but she Supposed it
was well.
Il will sit with her tonight" he said.
because it is hardly probable that she
will sleep till morning, and l shall like
her to find me here. And indeed, Miss
Sheford, you need night of undisturbed
rest"
So he sat through the night beside his
sleeping wife, painfully awake himself,
and keenly alive to every low-drawn
breath of hers. When he heard the
household astir. opening the shut
ters-found the dawn fall broad and
brightly on Unas sleeping face, he felt
himself growing sick in his foreboding.
Going softly downstairs, he summoned
Brent and sent him to Hohve Cottage
with a note for DIR. We're.
Il fancy Lorraine will be here pres
emily, Mr.. Trenham," said Miss Shefford,
meeting Rourke just then upon the stairs
for she, in her anxiety, had risen even
before the dawn. "She sent Joan with a
note of inquiry yesterday, and said they
had guests at Rupert's Rest for the whole
day, but that she would come as early as
she could this morning"
Hardly yet" Rourke said sit is too
early"
But he was wrong, for Lorraine and
her father drove over, even before the
October day had fairly settled on the
farm. Still Una had not awakened and
Athol had not yet come.
Rourke was sitting in his wife's room
when Lorraine entered it. With only a
smile for him she passed on to the head
of the bed, and stood there watching the
sweet, sleeping face.
"Oh, Rourke, when will Athol Gomez"
"Soou, / trust; but why are you anx-
ious for him."
Because l want you to awake Una,
and you say you will not until Athol
comes"
NO IL do not know which is best
She looked up quickly into his harassed
face Are you afraidT' she faltered, her
brows drawn and her eyes dark and mis-
cradle.
"Yes-I am afraid" he answered, his
voice very low and stiff; Il wish Athol
would come"
A lono x.YoitinO vthfia fhav txvo or
beside the bed, and Miss Shefford sat
crying-without exactly knowing why
at distant window. A long, long wait
ing it seemed, and then the door was
opened for Athoi and Mr.. Galveston.
Il was out when your servant came,
Trenham," said DR.. We're, as, after his
greeting to all, he, too, came and stood
beside the bed. Il came the instant
received your note. Trenham, you must
awake her"
1T looks a pleasant, refreshing sleep,
will it be best to disturb it," asked Mr..
Gaveston. anxiously.
For a moment Athol could not answer.
One thought was troubling him beyond all
words; why had not this been done yes
terday morning? why had he not been
sent for yesterday; or why had he not
CHANGED to come? 1t might have made
no difference. but who could ever now
be able to tell?
what do you think 2" asked Mr.. Cav
eston. again.
Yes; awake her. Trenham."
Lorraine, with her hands locked upon
the coverlet, stood watching and waiting.
She heard Rourke whispering to his wife
trying to rouse her by the old pet names
which he knew she had loved-names
which belonged to the early days of their
love. She saw him take her hands, and
kiss her again and again. Then she
heard cry of pain, and-following that
Ia low and yearning call:
"Rourke,- Rourke!' ~
That was all. but Una had known him
at the last moment, and her dying smile
had been for him.