The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-10-07

circle her on every side.
Mathilde's second and truer impulse
was the one on which she acted. and a
few long strokes took her to her hus-
bands side just as he greeted them. She
would fall fighting. and if she left him
tomorrow, he would have no cause to de-
spise her memory. The girls she knew
slightly-bright, jolly country girls. with
out too keen perceptive faculties, and
with brothers of the same type.
Her greeting TO them was cordial but
hurried.
$50 glad to see you! Brought your
skates? That's right
She had not even time to exchange one
glance with Stewart, who was overpcw-
ering Hudson with effusion that left no
room for words on his part Apparently,
though. he had no words al command,
simply staring in mute amazement at
Mathilde.
Swiftly she bore down upon him with
outStretched hand.
What wonderful meeting, Who
would have expected us to come across
each other like this? Isn't it fun?"
With every sense on the alert, she was
aware while speaking that Stewart was
enticing the others towards a bench to
put on their skates, and a forlorn hope
braced her to effort. With courage the
position might yet be retrieved. and of
that she felt plenty at command.
You mustn't lose moment; the days
are so Short" she heard Stewart noisily
insisting.
The amazement cleared from the boys
face into pure delight.
Miss Thorne.' he gasped. What
luck to find you here. | didn't even
know that Stewart was the right rlan
until / saw him here. And you are stay
ing with his Canadian wife, l suppose.
They talked lot about her, coming over,
and that was what puzzled me-"
Mathilde's face paled and flushed. ard
she looked wildly round. Norman Stew
art was the only one within possible hear
ing distance, and he, STOPPING down to
readjust his skate, may not have heard.
Hush" she said in low voice. Put
on your skates, and come up to the other
end of the lake with me. I have a Sc
cret to trust to you"
Hudson staring into her set, strained
face, saw something there which COM
PEELED him to silent obedience. From the
group where the newcomers were being
refreshed with various hot drinks, James
Stewart called to Norman, who slowly
skated off, and the two were left alone.
please. tell me what is the matter?'
Hudson urged anxiously.
Don't look so miserable" Mathilde
laughed, with a touch of conjunction :
land try not to look as though | were
telling you anything startling. Don't
you know that am your hostess. Mrs.
James StewartT'
The boy groaned; for the dream that
he had dreamed still lowered around him,
and such an awakening was bitter ex.
ceedingly.
please not to look as though any.
thing were happening.' she urged. 10Th.
erwise you may do me serious harm"
He was thoroughbred, and answered to
the touch.
Tell me what you want" he said
hoarsely. "and l will do it,
Il know that 1 can rely upon you
Mathilde went on, speaking rapidly. All
the time they were skating towards the
loneliest corner of the lake.
These people here all think-must &c
on thinking-that l have been married
five years and lived in the Northwest.
think that no one heard you call me Miss
Thorne. You must be careful to have
only known me as Mrs. Stewart: in fact
the less you speak or know of me the
better"
They had paused, facing each other
hidden from everyone by a jutting point
of reeds and bushes. His face had grown
paler still.
81 don't understand" he began in q
troubled fashion.
That's it," she interrupted. You car
never understand, but you must help m,
without understanding
II would do much to help you" h,
said simply. But if there is any wrong
to you in all this, will not help it on.
You mean" and there was a deeJ
flush on her face. that you think l an
not really married.
He stared horror-struck.
Good Heavens, no How could l thinl
such thing of you? But somethin:
wrong there must be somewhere"
There is no wrong to me-" she an
swered firmly. Il am wronging no one
not even mys1if Does that content you 2
81 suppose it must" he agreed slowly
'but will you trust me no more thar
this? Think how wretched | shall b.
about you," he urged.
"You had better forget that you hav
ever seen me-" she answered gloomily
But if it is any satisfaction to you
you can know that the whole affair Is on
of money interests of my husbands, an,
is only to right an attempted wrong t.
him."
IF you would only tell me that you ar
happy" he persisted.
She laughed. a small only Well
at any rate, if / am not, it is my own de
liberate doing. and no one can help me-
Are you sure that there is nothing
that l can do for your" he asked.
Nothing, save to remember that
was Mr.. and Mrs. Stewart with WHOM
you made a voyage. and to take as littl
interest in them as possible. Go bac
now to the Riddell girls, and avoid tn
home people here. How long do you sta
in tile neighborhoodY she asked wit
some anxiety.
Il can leave tomorrow if you wish" h
answered BIZ proudly.
He detected her eagerness, and natul
ally did not relish It.
She was beyond mincing matters.
THE sooner you go, the better for me.
Then, seeing the pain in his face, sh
| added Forgive me, but / am in a tigh
| place.
81 will go Tomorrow" he said sadly
only tell me one thing. You were nc
his wife on board ship:'
| I'VE were married in London two day
after landing. You see that l trust yot
| Now come back, and remember to sta
! by the Riddeli girls"
Wont you say good-bye?"
Il will say goodbye all you like, bu
| cannot shake hands. There u n
knowing who may be watching. No
come"
Silently they skated back and separa
! ed A set OF lancers was forming, an
Ma:hilde was Immediately carried off b
Norman to join it.
| Che xror1ld rather bo ronoipa1 Ere