Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-12-08
Hidden
Perils
CHAPTER XVI.
By MARY CECIL HAY

sunny. mild October Afternoon, just
six weeks later on
A small but beautifully kept lawn at
Winterfeld caught the sunbeams on its
many-tinted flowers, but tried in vain to
catch the dainty cloud-shadows as they
few softly over its smooth green turf
Up the graveled approach drove Lor-
raine Gaveston in her light luxurious
pony carriage, hurrying because she
wanted to be in time to take her sister
for drive on this sweet calm afternoon.
But she was too late The servant who
met her at the door told her that Mrs.
Trenham and Miss Shefford, with the
nurse and baby, had been out for nearly
an hour. The master was at the Mar
roway. Might the ponies be taken round?
YES" Lorraine said, unhesitatingly.
She would not, even on ordinary occa-
sions, have returned without seeing her
sister, but now of course she never
thought of doing so. This was Una's
first drive since her illness her sister
must wait and see how she had borne IL
and then-Rourke was away.
No, thank you, / will not go in" she
said when the servant held the door II
will stay here"
So while the ponies were taken round
she sat down on low garden seat close
to the open half door, whence she should
be able to see the carriage even before
1t reached the lawn gates. Sitting so in
the full sunlight, her watching eyes
shaded only by the narrow brim of her
hat-grew tired, and she closed them ian
~uidly. just then it seemed that the
,a1 fho Had
pwiftly up to her, but Una was not in it.
Lorraine started to her feet, faltering.
Where was Una? And then she awoke,
and saw that the opening of the lawn
gate had been to admit Rourke
Il Do you know, | think had
fallen asleep" she said, laughing rather
nervously as he came up to her.
mo wonder" he answered, taking the
hand she offered. 1T is almost as sleepy
a day as June could give u.s."
II understand you were at the Mar
roway?"
80 | have been, but | FASTENED back.
This is Uns's first drive, and / wished to
meet her on her return. 1 fancy they
viii be here soon, though Brent seemed
to feel it incumbent on him to drive very
slowly. Will you come IMP
II would rather stay here"
So she sat down again, and he waited
near her; while the sunshine folded both
of them j. it's pure, sleepy warmth.
This is a stranger to me-" said Lor-
raine, touching the sleek dun coat of a
greyhound which had followed Rourke,
and now stood painting beside him. Il
have not seen him before"
"Narv nrohahlv RourEa ancwerad
chilly, las you only come here at most
rare intervals"
but you see how it is, Rourke, don't
you?" she explained, gently. Il do not
like to be away much, now that papa and
l are alone at kuperrs Rest"
"He would not mind. He comes per-
petually so do others-who care for US"
Papa still sore.y misses Una" said
Lorraine. determined not to resent his
unkind words, and so trying to turn aside
the subject. II feel more and more sure
every day that | snail never in any way
be able to make up to him for the loss of
Una"
IF you had felt this way year ago"
He made a sudden pause. But though
by swift effort he had broken off those
words, he did not substitute others, as
woman would have done. He leaned back
in his corner of the seat, his eyes follow
ing the movement of her hand on the
greyhound's neck.
How l used to long for a dog when
l was a little girl y she said only for
the purpose of breaking the pGuse.
''Irrraine." he asked. presently, when
she thought her unnecessary speech for
gotten. do you remember telling me of
Draco? Did you ever grow fonder of him
after that timer
Never"
as he still holding his court at Hamp-
ION House?"
Yes"
II often think of it; of your life there
OF What q curious will your aunt
seems to have left ~ he added, again
checking the involuntary words. Can
you understand why her property should
not be disposed of until We're is engaged
or-you areT
He had raised his eyes now. and fixed
them, with rather stern intentness, on
her face
Il do not know" she said, her lips
twitching a little. al dare say il will
turn out nothing when the trust is open
edit it ever is"
"If!' laughed Rourke, cynically. us
Athol to work always as he works now.
and never earn his reward? Are you
TO be always sought, and never won?"
II would great deal rather have too
little both of time and money than too
much" said the girl, softly. in her dis
tress at seeing the restless light in his
eyes They are both heavy burdens,
when one has more than one knows what
to do with. | am never so happy as when
have what looks like too much to do"
He glanced with quick inquiry into
her face. Could it De possible that only
her peerless beauty and richly endowed
youth
Look there they Gomez
She had been first. after all. to see the
slowly advancing carriage, but Rourke
himself had opened the gate in time.
Brent, touching his hat, drove on TO
the door without stopping: while Una.
pale and tired though she seemed. could
still brightly smile and nod at Rourke,
in her gladness at seeing him there.
And Lorraine. too" she exclaimed.
as Rourke lifted her tenderly from the
carriage. What nice surprise, dear
Look the air has given baby such pref
ty color"
Lorraine greeted Miss Sheford. then
EaEed long at the little fellow, but she
did not att ampt TO take him from his
nurse
Sleepy. UnaT'' asked Rourke, seeing
that her eyelids dropped languidiy, even
while she was smiling at a speech of his.
Yes. ridiculously sleepy" she said. sit
ting W and trying to rouse herself. Il
feel rs IL ii ought to be eleven o'clock
instead of five"
I'VE will fancy it eleven" he said, with
great gentleness, and bedtime. Come !;
assy l carry youI"
She laughed. and tried to shake of the
heavy sleepinesS which seemed to have as
sailed her: but she was soon glsd to sc-
eept his support. and own that she would
rather 20 to bed