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

had anticipated. Miss Deane. indeed, had
shown herself not only compliant. but ac-
tually anxious that Amber should 60 and
spend a week with hef uncle.
Esther had heard of Hilary Adare of
his meeting with Amber, both at the mill
one day. and at Madam's later on. and
had drawn certain conclusions. If-her
heart beat fast as she dyelt on tiff
Captain Adare should fall in love with
the girl. and she with him, there would
lie a solution of the trouble that is wor-
rying her. Amber once married. Brian
will be hers again TO infuence-to hold
to live for. And she has so little to
I've for, so little to make life sweet.
That Brian can greatly care! She
fas gone into this and has come out of
is with the settled belief that he is in
capable of caring much for anything
except himself. In this she wrongs him.
So Amber, who mad net Mays very
charming advances with shy pleasure
and Mr.. McGrath's all too genial adj
vances with touch of reserve. promises
to go over to Carrig or Tuesday next
to-day is FRIDAY ard spend a week
with her cousins.
I'VE are all of us your cousins, you
know. All of IS" says May, pressing her
hand at parting.
Yes, all of us" repeats Mr.. McGrath
with emphasis.
And come early. come in time for
tea" says May, g'ancing up at Amber
from the pony carriage in which she is
now again seated. "Or perhaps--lunch-
con-"
"Or breakfast" suggests Mr.. Nc
Grath most Hospitality. May gives him a
whitening glance.
II shall come as soon a. I cam says
Amber softly.
I'VE shall be looking out for you,r
mods May, brightly. "Good-by. Good by.
Miss Deaner' to Esther, who is also
standing up above on the hall sl)orsteps
$50 good of you to spare Amber for a
few days"
The ponies dash away down the grass
grown old avenue, as if wild with .le-
sire to be gone; and as thew disappear,
Esther Deane touches Amber's arm.
Not word of this toto anyone
says she. If you say word to any
one, you won't be able to 60
II am my own mistress" says the girl
proudly. Yet for all that she takes the
lesson to heart, and 1t is not until she
is well on her way to Carrig Castle on
the following Tuesday that Brian barns
of the invitation, the visit of May, and
the gong of AMBER
On that afternoon, after al unsuc-
cessful search for Amber round the
.-1,,rd. ocd =, tba old mill ha aptars bic
sisters private room.
where is Amber?' asks he quickly.
There is no suspicion in his tone.
Miss Deane rises. The worst is be-
fore her now and she faces it steadily.
''She has gone to spend a week with
her uncle. Sir Lucien Adare !"
"What?'
The mans face grows ashy as he looks
! back at her. Nay, it grows dangerous.
Il thought" says she coldly, quietly,
though her heart is beginning to die with
in her, that it would be well for her to
know something of her mothers people"
you thought that for her. What did
you think for me? You," he comes closer
to her, you heard what l said the other
day. You knew what / meant. l did
not even hide from you that l loved her.
When did she get this invitation?"
Last Friday ~ She answers him
clearly, and still her eyes are fixed on his
And still she stands straight and firm
before him without a shadow of outward
fear.
And this is Tuesday, His face grows
terrible now. For four days you kept
this secret. For four days you knew she
was going to stay in the house with Hill
airy Adare, the man who you think loves
her-and yet" He makes a sudden,
swift backward movement of his arm.
Take that, you traitor" says he, dash
ing her In his blind fury to the ground.
The room is alwost dark when she
comes to herself again. Dragging herself
to her feet by the aid of chair near
her, she stands, tottering a little, trying
to bring back her senses whilst wip!1g.
vaguely, the blood from her mouth. Then
all too suddenly it comes back to her
the scene with him, the cowardly blow.
He didn't mean it." breathes she
through her poor, swollen lips. He was
always hot tempered. poor boy re is
sorry now, l know. Heidi not mean
It."
Even in this woman-hard, cruel. I'M
principled--the touch of the Divine
dwells! Lovel And the desire to par
don.
Forgive them that despitefully use
you"
No. he had not meant it