Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-01-28


with some alacrify when the young lady
turned round. and showed q smil-
ing, old. brown face, surrounded by a
clean cap border. She bobbed curtsy.
PLEASE TO take chair, missile"
No; think / would rather stand, Mrs
Harrison; l can't stop long. I've only
brought half pound of tea. Don't you
think it's very good of mef''
That tbs, missile, bless your pretty
heart, and send you the finest nobleman
in London for a husband ~
Lionel Leigh looked down ct the brick
floor, and smiled. Ella saw the smile
saw the bitterness and the sadness which
formed its elements.
Mrs. HaErison, | wish / was to be
married tomorrow. Coach and four milk
white horses, twelve bridesmaids, box
of diamonds, a great iced cake, ball in
the evening, and the next day to be whirl-
ed off to France or Spain on wedding
trip. Wouldn't it be jolly?"
She wheeled about as she spoke, and
then began to inspect the little jugs, and
mugs, and cups, which hung upon the
wooden dresser. Then, passing close by
the side of Lionel-who, having placed
the basket on the ground, was standing
with folded arms, following with somber
smile the movements of Ella-she said. in
a whisper:
Am | not a delightful, angelic crea-
ture? My sentiments express a superb
intelligence, sympathy with what Is
noble and true, an appreciation for the
poetry of life"
Ella ran out to where all the children
were gathered about the gates. She took
out her purse. and ,straightway dealt them
sixpence apiece all round.
Gingerbread, bull's-eyes, and oranges"
said Miss Wycherly. ''You like those bet
ter than spelling and multiplication. Come
on, Mr.. Leigh. There is one more old
lady to whom VIC must dispense provis-
ions but she is bedridden and deaf. Don't
you think that am an instructive kind of
young person. just the one to visit these
poor ignorant creatures, and teach them
the road they should walk in? Just turn
round and look at that group of young
faces. How they ere all grinning Over
their sixpences! IL Miss Worthington
had been the dispenser those same faces
would each have heightened half yard
oc more. She would have lectured them
on their shortcomings and misdoings; she
would have threatened them with the ter
rors of the law, both human and divine.
Not a hole in their pinafo-es, not a
smudge on their little faces, would have
escaped her criticism. Don't you think
they must like me a great deal the better
of the two?"
She did not wait for his answer. but
led on to the next cottage, where the
bedridden patient received her thankfully.
Now, Mr.. Leigh, we must go home"
said Ella, looking at her watch. 1T
is four o'clock, and we dine at seven.
A short cut across the park will take us
home in less than an hour. No more
woodland rambles, and the empty basket
is light. and / am in a very good temper
1t has done me good to see those children
delight over their sixpences. Mr.. Leigh,
how very silent you are. | have been
trying to distinguish myself in your eyes
and you look as glum as if you consid-
cred me stupid and unintereSting, if not
a most orthodox and imprudent young
person. Why don't you talk, Mr.. Leighg'
II have nothing to say, Miss Wych-
erly."
THAT is a fb. You have a great deal
to say. only you are afraid 10 say it,"
She looked at him as she spoke. dam
gerously, out of her dark eyes. Lioners
heart trembled within him. What did
this girl mean? What was this odd, fash
ing. beautiful creature, with her smiles,
and her sallies, and her somber moods?
1t seemed to him at times that an ele-
ment of evil mingled with the atmosphere
that surrounded her. Where il was and
what was it, he could not say. When
she looked at him so dangerously and
dared him 10 speak, there was in his
soul a strange feeling Was il fear or
sudden revulsion? What was it that made
his heart quake. and his blood run cold !?
They had entered a shady alley in the
park. Ella suddenly stopped, clutched
him by the shoulder. and looked him in
the eyes. Her beautiful face was close
10 his own, the red lips terribly near.
The mans whole soul was stirred within
him.
II have made up my mind TO tell you
everything" said Ella. Il must have
confidant-I must have a friend You
know that night Arthur Calthorpe-,"
''What-what?" cried Lionel, in wild
excitement
Hush don't speak so loud. But l
know how he was struck, and why.
will tell YOU all. Listen, -
She held up her finger. She was very
pale.
You will never betray me?'
Her clutch upon his shoulder was so
desperate. that he carried the marks for
months, and her eyes were filled with
light that made them beautiful with an
unearthly beauty.
Lionel. looking into the. white face of
the girl he loved. read there a story, mys-
tic. perplexing. full of a shadowy horror.
IL seemed that for Ella Wycherly the
summer day had no brightness. no heat
Her eyes were fixed upon vacancy: she
shivered in the fervent sunbeams: she
was. so il appeared, half-unconscipus of
the presence of Lionel.
He, meanwhile. looked upon her face
with certain namelesS. intangible awe
What was il that he dreaded? He had
had his doubts before now in regard to
this most fascinating Young creature
doubts vague, yet dresdfuL Was she as
as noble. as truly innocent as she seem
eds Was there some latent evil or cru
city lurking within her soul? Why was
she so carbed and ocerced by her mother
and hsr governeSSf There was a some
thiag. secret; and wherever there is a
secret there 5 wrong, thought Lionel.
AZ last he spoke.
IF you would trust me-" he said gent
". Il would devote my life to do you
service. And" he added. half-hitterly !;
''ent you know that. Miss Wyckerly."
lie was right Ella knew that she held
complete sway over his sSuoSt thoughts,
that his heart. his hopes, lay all within
her power. Her hrs Ssoved. but she did
not spesk: stiIl her dal.S eyes were fixed
on the far-oF SHY lA.s dscape- Had
Lioael believed in second-sight, he might
have fanciea that this beautiful creature
saw q vision. He ventared 10 lay his
hand on her arm.
Miss wyeherly, will you trust me"
She gave great start. as though awak-
ing from some painful dream.