Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-06-08

fore he asked in gentlsr tone than u.s.
ual, DO you mind 1t all SO very much?"
! Her silk had knotted, and she pulled at
it impatiently.
What does it matter what | mind, IL
am determined to 60 through with it'll"
she retorted
Then, as he remained silent she looked
up with repentance for her rudeness.
Please don't mind me. l did not mean
to be SO disagreeable. It's only that get
a bit nervous"
de made a movement as il to lay his
hand on hers, but she drew it back toe
quickly.
oh, l understand" he answered.
But, if you don't mind, l should like to
talk about our immediate plans. think
Il would be better to let no hint of our
intentions get about on board, don't
you?"
Most certainly" she agreed with alac-
rity.
We'll, then, may l ask what were your
plans on first landingY
How strange it seemed that those care
fully thought-out plans of hers should al
ready loom so vague and unreal. She
realized that already, she was cut adrift
from her old life.
Il had written to some lodgings thar |
know of at Chelsea. had meant 10 stay
there for week to do some shopping,
which Is cheaper done in London, and
then go over to Paris. where my friend
| expects me-"
rs she an ardent friend7 Will she
want to know all about everythingY
Mathilde smiled with vision of the
sharp face, and the somewhat grim phi
losophy of its owner
She is hardly to be called a friend at
all. We were to have Joined forces from
motives of economy, that is ALL"
80 much the better. Well, suppose
you go to your Chelsea lodgings as you
planned. / won't communicate with my
people, and they don't know when | am
due in England. We can be married By
! special license and spend few days al
hotel, writing home then, when to CT
pect us. Do you think that would dor
Mathlde sat listening to these de all
| ed plans with much the same sensations
as the general of threatened army, who
sees himself gradually and inevitably
surrounded and outnumbered Were.
what had seemed but momen. before.
such vague and visionary prof. cts, really
so practical and imminent? Sne all but
started up with an impulse to cry out,
Oh, | cannot It is impossible 7" But
| second thought came quickly to check
| her. What was there on the other hand
| for her to turn to? Wounded pride and
the instinct of getting to shelter to hide
her sorrows had supplied a strong enough
| face to bring her away from home, but
| day by day Of that winter voyage had
been sapping her courage for the solitary
struggle ahead. so that now, if only from
having dropped the plan for few hours,
she felt the inpossibility of returning to
it. She had no strength to struggle now
let the current of fate carry her wherever
| 1t would.
Stewart was watching her unveiled agi-
tation with not unkindy smile.
Does it seem very formidable at near
sight? Never mind, there is really moth.
ing to be afraid of. | promise you,
won't bother you in any way You shall
| be as free as you have ever been"
And for all her shrinking, she could
not but feel the genuineness In his words
In the next two days there were many
| such talks and discussions between them.
Almost to her own surprise. Mathilde
found herself growing in some measure
| accustomed to the project, although. in
fashion keeping up the defensive attitude
which she had almost involuntarily as
sumed in Mr.. Stewards society.