Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-01-14

OF the most respected kind to Jenny and,
finally, Major Barrett brought a kiGdly
matron, visitor, on the scene. A sup
per, and after that spacious chamber,
with a maid to attend her, were allotted
to Jenny for that night The next morn
ing Major Barrett hoped to be permitted
to escort the young lady to st. Martha's
CHAPTER x.
Who and what was the young woman
in black, who, having ventrred to seat
herself upon a low chair little apart,
had listened to the whole Of the talk,
and watched all the persons present, a
snile-half-nervous, half-mocking-on her
thin lips, a startled look in the cunning
blue eyes! She was alone PRESENTLY, for
the officers strolled away and Miss Will
kinson had left with the lady visitor.
She peered about the room, then pulled
some cotton from her pocket, and began
some kind of fancy work. 1t was very
late, but the young person in black went
on with her work and smiled to herself,
and every now and then paused to listen,
when steps or voices sounded in the large
mansion.
Once she got up to put coal on the
fire, and to stir it into a blaze; but pres
emily she sat down again, and resumed
her work. At last the door burst open
roughly, and a stout woman, in black
silk and blue cap, came into the little
room-a woman of fifty, with red cheeks
and rather angry black eyes.
obi" she said, you are here still.
"a lr@1 &. L
house? am the housekeeper-Mrs. Net
tleby-and l have had the hiring of all
the female servants at the Court, and of
all the helpers who were wanted for this
ball. | never hired your
mo, ma dam"
And certainly" with a glance at the
shabby black dress-"you were NOT asked
to the ball.p
oh no, ma'am, l was not invited
here"
We'll" said the housekecper, rubbing
her chin and scanning the cunning young
face thoughtfully; you seem very cool,
young woman"
NO, ] have made the FIRE up" She
laughed as she said this-laughed in
solently, but as If she could not help it.
as though she was bursting with the tri-
umph of possessing some concealed power
Her manner had an irritating effect upon
Mrs. Nettleby.
"You know very we'll | don't care
whether you are warm or cold / .nean
that you are cool and insolent. / want
to know what your business is in this
house. unlimited! The police have laid
] EatJ - f. + ~, 81
and he says his sister heard you call the
young master into the garden, and there
he was some time with you. Miss Leigh
will have to come here tomorrow to swear
to you"
rs Arthur Calthorpe dead?' asked the
girl fippantly.
'No; and how dare you speak of him
as Arthur Calthorpe? "a creature like
you | believe you know more about his
being hurt than you viii say. | can't
bear inpudence! You seem regular
brazen one. to my thinking"
"Oh, thank you - The woman tossed
her head. and laughed. A little flush
came to her cheeks, and the long. cunning
face looked rather pretty for a moment.
What do you want at Beryl Court,
eh?"
Il never tell my business to strangers
But, young woman, it is my business,
as housekeeper, to inquire your business
here in the house on such an evening as
this; especially after the dreadful occur
renee"
ut is very dreadful, certainly" observ-
ed the young person, smiling at the thread
which she was fastening off.
out of the house you go. Now listen.
just now Mr.. Arthur woke up. and seem
ed conscious, and so the policemen took
Mr.. Richard and the young German mas
ter TO him. and asked him plainly if eth
er of them was the man who struck him.
And he said No; did not see the face.
but the man was much taller than either
of them. saw him run away, and leap
the park paling, and dash into the wood.
but Nellie Watson saw him. She knows.
Then he tainted. Now, are you Nellie
watson?"
NO madam; that is not my name at
present"
'Mr. Arthur called you so''
well, he viii have to alter his tone,
that's all: and if il should happen that
ne II ktHlONtQ lIOitl tHtS tdIAutN SCtHcs 4
must explain matters to the earl"
DO you mean 10 insinuate?'
Il may as well tell you. plainly, l am
Arthur Calthorpe's wife He has treated
me scandalousiy but he can't get out OF
il; | am his wife by Scotch law, which
is law for England. also. He wants to
get out of it, but | have proofs anG my
witnesses. / hope TO be the Countess OF
Beryl some day. unless he happens to
die; but If he does. Why, the OLD earl
must make il up 10 me in money"
Al that moment the door burst open,
and there rushed in Richard Harrington
or Calthorpe, as he was now known
Liouel Leigh and the two detectives The
detectives were calm, but the two young
men we're excited Lionel rushed up &c
Nellie.
Mr. Calthorpe is dying. and he asks
for you, madam. Nellie Watson, he calls
you"
That is not my name. sir" rejoinet
Nellie. bowling and blushing. while sh'
looked into the face Of the tutor.
With a stately step. her long black
skirt sweeping after her. this odd creaturs
followed the two gentlemen and the de
tectives 70 the yellow drawing room
where Arthur Calthorpe. supported by pill
lows. white and CHASTITY. sat UP, pencil
in his hand, blank book before him.
The earl held his left hand. Friends
doctors. servants crowded round the vel
low sofa. Nellie walked up 70 it. and fix
ed her cleaning eyes on Arthur. She
smiled family. Arthur drew Ions
breath. shlvered. snd pointed 10 Nellie.
"She is not my wife. lie said.
Then he tainted And while the dos
tors were busy with him. the old ear
walked as fast as bis seat would let hin
up 10 Nellie.
Well said be. looking at her bitter
": so you say you are my nepAew's wife
DO youE"
Yes, my lord. an. according tt
SsSetch law"