Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-06-02

CHAPTER XXI

Oh! lovely hypocrite And what has
he to say to her? How can he speak
knowing his heart is broken? His 81
lence touches at once the nerves that are
already sc unstrung.
Hilary Why don't you speak? Are
you angry with me? | could not help it.
did not mean" Her thoughts fly
to the upper chamber, where the ever
lasting stars looked down upon her, and
where beneath their light she had said
mo- to Everard's proposal of marriage.
Is it thati Should she not have gone
there? But they all saw her go, and said
nothing How has she offended him? The
pretty color dies away from her half
parted lips.
81 know / have no right to dictate to
you what you should or should net do.
And as for being angry, why should l be
angry? We are all free TO do as we will.
If you think my manner severe, it is
merely that l would suggest to you, as
being one of my family, that at such an
hour as this, you He stops.
Should not be here" interrupts she
eagerly. "Yes, know now. Bit they
were all here a moment ago."
"A moment Your moments seem to
have flown on wings" SIN with that
cruel smile, III the room up there with
Everard"
Hilary Oh! it is impossible I" in a
low, but intensely vivid voice. You
must know how it was"
You are right dor'
"You are mad :" cries the girl with a
little indignant gesture. you don II I'M
derstand. You left me, to go down to
Sir Lucien-you remember"
Certainly. 1t gave splendid oppor-
tunity." A pause.
II never thought OF you before, as
contemplate" says she. Her voice now
is quite changed. All the sweetness, the
love, the dearness of it, seems dead, kill
ed but / have often heard il is diff
cult to know anyone. Believe ME or not,
as You will, however, l went up there
to see the stars with Mr.. Everard; they
could be seen more clearly there, and
why give yourself SO much trouble +?
Why not let this very amusing game you
have played with him and me come 10 an
end now-so far as / am concerned, at
all events?" GRIEF and wrath have rem
dered him quite incapable If tathoming
the wretched things he is saying.
Amber's eyes, resting on ais, grow iarg-
er, brighter, but her face is the color of
DEATH
Il don't think you know what you are
saying" says she cohly.
"Ah! Don't let it degenerate into a
farce!"
You mean our engagement" says she
presently, having gathered up her courage
with a wonderful strength. There was
none, however. That at least you rust
remember. And am glad of it now
] am thankful that there is no real bond
between me and-you." The sweet, deep
eyes, so angry, so troubled N their
depths, are still fastened upon his. Scorn
lies in their depths.
This is a convenient occasion for you
to get rid of me- says Adare calmly.
when a woman trifles with two men, it
is well for her TO have just cause for
getting rid, at the last, of the one who
is the least desirable. | congratulate you
On your success. You have not only got
rid of me without any scandal, but you
have secured Everard, who is beyond
doubt the richer man of the two"
Il wish l were a mani" says she
slowly.
Il would you werev' cries he, "for
then I'd kill you" There is such
frightful passion in his tone that invol-
unfairly she draws back. Amber What
a name for you-for you, y His desper-
ate grief makes him brutal. "Why did
your father give you such a name as
that?'
why should he not?" She lifts her
small, beautiful head and smiles at him
defiantly. ut was, however, my moth
er's suggestion but afterwards my faith
er said it quite suited me. Because
her defiance now is of the very highest
order--''he said ! looked 50 clear!"
~~0Clear! So1 And 70 deceive me so !.
To go up there to-nigh," pointing to the
tiny staircase that lea Is to the topmost
room of the tower, with Everard ~
II don't understand about Mr. Ever
ard You and yours have received him
ss a friend, | think, during my Stay here.
Yet now Ecu talk OF him. as if :.
But'--with scornful gesture-''I care
very little for Mr.. Everard. AS TO my
mothers naming me Amber, she thought
of my complexion then, think, not of
my heart You see" scoffingly. 1T was
almost transparent when l was born As
for what il is now-or my heart either
-" She shrugs her shoulders. A very
agony of rage has caught and overwhelm-
ed her. let all the good OF life go BY for
the sake of a moments revenge upon
this one human being whom. of all the
world, she has learned to love.
Her air. her attitude. enrages him.
"uow dare you speak TO me like that?"
cri1s he. catching her suddenly by both
shoulders, and holding her as if in vice.
Let me gol" Her voice rings clear,
If low, and without a touch Of fear in ii.
She swings herself sharply out OF his
grasp, and at once walks towards the
staircase beyond.
II is done very quickly. but she has
hardly reached the middle part of the gal
lery when he is beside her. His face
is still dark with anger and distrust, but
he has followed her.
Amber Don't go, Was I. or was
not. mad TO speak TO you ike thatS But
If you viii speak-will explain"
II shall not explain" Her face is as
white as death.
"You refuse me one word" He has
fallen on his knees before her. What is
anything to-all the world contsins-save
this one little slender girl, Deliberately
abe looSens his fingers from her gown.
Even one" she says.
lie regains his feet slowly. very slow
ly: 50 slowly, indeed. that il gives Sir
Lucien. who is coming up the gallery at
this late hour. sufficient time to see
him on his knees before her.
Hair cries be. hnrrying up and
speaking before reaching them. His
voice, harsh and resonant. rings along
the gallery. $50 ! have found you out
at last Holary. are you dead to all
your interestsg Marry that girl point
Ing to Amber with a quivering forehnger
that suggests venomous and lifelong
hatred-"and no, one penny Of mine shall
ever he yours. AS for you he turns
to Amber a face black with passion-"I
regret / ever LEI my niece invite you
here"