Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-02-11
CHAPTER .1v.-tcontinued.)

anu Ahust sdt hiss Leish "7ACu
the young man, smiling sadly. You re
gard me as an ogre, do you not?"
He joined her as he spoke.
Let US walk on this way toward the
fields" he said
Mr.. Calthorpe, the earl is III in a fit
just saw your servant at DIR. Marks
door, and he told me what was the mat
ter"
And here have | been spending the
last hour with that irreclaimable spend
thrift, Dick, my brother, who has re-
turned from Ireland penniless, almost
shoeess; has Il ken up his quarters at
tire Black Wolf, and has sent 10 me for
money. Only Last month | sent him from
my own allowance fifty pounds, and now
/ have been sent for 10 this inn; and
meanwhile the poor old earl 3 taken ILL.,
l must hurry off. Leila-may ! not say
Leila?-I must hire carriage here from
the Claytons, and be driven as fast as
possible to Beryl Court. Leila, trust
me-"
How can | trust you, Mr.. Calthorpe"
she faltered. II know you mean we'll
that you are honor ITSELF but-but that
terrible woman whom they call your
wife :"
And l." he answered, declare solemn
ly that look of love never passed from
my eyes to hers-that word Of love new
er passed my lips She was as the veri-
est stranger. | have danced a Scotch
reel with her; | handed her a chair at
that mad merry supper at ST. Swinthin's.
/ have scarcely. | believe, had any con-
versatiOn with her alone in my life Save
for the Scotch law, and her calling her
self Mrs, Calthorpe in the presence of
witnesses, she is no more my wife than
yonder milk woman passing over there
with her pals"
And yet she is considered as your
wife, and something tells me that the
law will make her so. But you must go,
M. Calthorpe."
Il must" he said; "but may / not
hope to see you again soon?''
There must be no appointments" she
answered sadly. II must be circun-
chatter of me. Do You not feel that
am rightT" &EI<
"You are right" he answered, though
it is anguish for me to be forbidden to
be near you! :"
And they clasped hands and parted.
Leila returned to the library. Miss Ellen
Watson had departed Leila obtained
the book she wanted, and set off on her
lonely walk to Woodmancote.
Darkness was gathering fast over the
world when Leila entered the secluded
lane with the high hedges. She was think
ing far too much of Arthur Calthorpe
and the poor old earl, of Ellen Watson,
and the scapegrace brother of Arthur TO
give even passing glance of fear at the
shadowy lane.
Presently the moon arose, and she
caught glimpses of it getting higher and
higher among the branches to the left.
All at once footstep behind her in the
lane startled her-a heavy footstep, as II
a man accustomed to much walking-a
slow, measured tramp.
Nearer and nearer, closer and closer
She hurried Observation-Disclosures as If
something terrible was on her track but
still the footsteps gained upon her She
ran--and Leila was swift of foot-she
painted for breath and still while she ran
the footsteps gained upon her; not that
tie person ran-only advanced at a quick
march, taking long strides.
She shuddered at the conviction that
soon strong and cruel hand would grasp
her shoulder. and then. cleaning before
her in the moonbeams she perceived the
roof of barn. Shelter-a hiding place
That was her instinct. She rushed head
long across the road. There was large
gate leading into a field. which swung
on its hinges, Unmatched; this gate Leila
pushed open, and entered the field She
ran around the barn, and found the door
open. There was a heap Of straw in
corner: Leila crouched under it,
She was in that portion Of the shed
which lay close to the road. Where she
crouched then she heard most distinctly
the heavy tramping footsteps which had
frightened her They passed the barn,
went on little way, then suddenly ceas-
ed. Then Leila heard cry that awoke
the night echoes She trembed and shiv-
cred with cold terror. She did not dare
to go out in the lane.
mo" she said TO herself; II must stay
here all night"
At that moment she heard other foot
steps in the lane fast and furious, as
those who ran in pursuit. 1t seemed to
her. where she crouched on the straw, that
one person ran on, and the oJher stopped
she was sure of it-stoppcd close TO
the wooden wall Of the barn. She could
hear footsteps on the roadside grass she
could hear breathing as of one who pant
ed. exhausted and breathless, as she had
done first.
Soon il seemed to Leila that this per-
son sat down on the grass. as if to rest
Should she steal out? There was an
other road into Woodmancote across the
fields. 1t was longer road than by the
lane. and there were stiles TO climb. Still,
she would not be likely TO meet the people
who had frightened her; and this person.
whose signing, gaSpiag voice she heard
outside in the lane. was evidently a WON
an-perhaps a woman of the lower class.
terrified and ill-uSed by some drunken
husband.
Leila took courage BY degrees, and left
the barn. and went out into the erid
noisclessly. unheard by the person who
SAT BY the roadside leaning against the
wall OF the harm.
Leila went on, and leaned over the top
rail Of the gate. Yes. s. woman sat in
shadow. leaning the back Of her head
against the wall OF the barn. Her head
was bare TO the summer night. Her long
dark hair hung low and wild on her
shoulders. Was IL not gem like dia-
nond which flashed in the beams Of the
moon when the woman raised her hand
TO her brows
She did not see Leila. What was she
doiug2 Was she weeping. quietly, as
though her tears were wrung out OF the
bitterness OF her soulg
Pity prompted Leils to approach this
being in distress. She wenl on still
noiselessly. The woman was pressing q
handkerchief 20 her brow. As she rsmoy-
ed il. Leila saw with horror that il was
soaked with blood.
Are you hurts Can help youf" ask
Ell Leila.
The woman gave a start, Another mo-
nent. aid she turned face furious and
naughty toward Leila Leigh. She did not
sneak INita started hack In an,axenleut