Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-01-05
Hidden
Perils
CHAPTER XII
By MARY CECIL HAY

a few pacos nearer to Winterfield. leading
the painting mare; then he stood again,
dropped the bit, moved aside and gave the
animal a sharp cut across the neck
The next moment she was gaIloping
homeward, the reins hanging loose, the
saddle empty-a frightened, riderless
mare, with whom her masters secret was
safe
Lorraine stood watching, as if in a
dream; then her eyes wandered back to
Athol, as he turned again, with the I'M
natural calm still on his face. But be-
fore he had Joined her she had fallen on
her knees beside Rourke and hidden her
face as il she dared see no more
-LOrrAin, be strong-just for a little
longer said Athol, in his new tones of
still authority. IF you faint all hope is
over. Move away, my darling, where
you cannot see."
Il will not faint. l will stay here
He met her pleading eyes and read their
steadfastness
Thank God that it is you who were
here with me-if any one" he said. in a
low, concentrated tone, as he stopped and
gazed searchingly into Rourkes notion
less face.
Lorraine waited breathlessly until he
slowly rose again and drew long breath
of relief. Near Rourke's outstretched
hand he laid the whip he had been using,
but everything else be left untouched.
Then he went back a few steps to the
spot where lay the PROSTATE form of
Horton Newley, and bending, took it up
in his arms. Lorraine, still kneeling be-
side Rourke's watched him, half bewil-
dc-ed. The whole nature of the man
seemed changed. Yet all that he did she
instinctively knew to be the best, while
she still trembled in every limb TO see
the calm and strength which he could
show at such a time as this.
Slowly he bore Horton Newley's imam
innate form along the drive in the direc-
ton of the farm, following the track of
the galloping horse, for fifty PAGES or
more. Then he laid it down in the CEN
ter of the avenue, just as it had lain
above when he had come up too late, the
face upturned and the marks of the
horses feet so plainly visible on the dark
dress.
When this was done Athol brought
Horton New,ey's hat from the spot where
he had fallen and placed it near the
PROSTATE form. Then he joined Lorraine
again, and she rose and stood beside him.
waiting for his words. her fingers locked
together, looking mistily at him. with
fearful pallOr on her face.
Lorraine, be brave, my darling. for
few minutes longer" he said, and even
she could not guess at his mingled suffer
ing as he looked from the motionless fig
ure on the gravel to her white, bewil-
dered face Go back to Winterfield at
once. Run in terror and alarm the
household. Send a mounted messenger
Into Kumley for DR.. Thorne, then on into
Alton for DIR. Meredith Say that Mr..
Trenham has been thrown. and that the
horse has trampled Mr.. Newley. That
is all. Send another man for your father
and Mr.. Spencer"
But" she faltered, her eyes piercing
the distance as she spoke, literally star
tied too, by her own voice, 'Mr. Spen-
Ger was to be there, you said, at the
lodge, Athol."
He started, looked forward with bent
brows and quickened breath, knowing
we'll that the little window in the lodge
which faced them was the window of
Miriam's room. If the curate had been
there through those few awful minutes
Athol shook the thought from him as he
might have shaken an infectious touch
and turned TO Lorraine again
do you understand? Rourke was rid
ing young horse which had been doing
nothing for several weeks. You saw it
IL ~
les and there Newley. Do you quite I'M
derstandi'
II quite understand" she said the ag-
ony of understanding quite as great as
the agony of telling had been to him
And then she turned away and ran like
frightened child toward the farm.
In his own room at Winterfeld they
laid Rourke Trenham, in that silent hush
which rested on the house Motionless
and almost breathless, with faded lips
and a deathlike pallor on his face, with
eyelids closed and still, as they are rarely
still except in death, he lay until the
weary hours of that long night had almost
sped. Then there came change-aimost
imperceptlble; but change which Athol.
30 intent and watchful caught 10 mo-
ment. The feeble pulse futtered a little.
Rourke's eyes opened wide upon Athol's
face, then closed tremuiously-almost as
II in slumbe- now. Athol, moving his
hand slowly while he kept his watching
position beside the bed, took small vial
from his breast pocket. He dropped A
few drops of the dark-colored fluid II
contained upon lump of sugar, and eau
tiously placed this between Rourke's Inns.
Then the sleep grew deep as death once
more. and Rourke lay white and motion
less again. in the still Inconsistencies
which looked so terribly like death.
When Athol left the room for the first
time that morning he found Lorraine
waiting in the hall. expecting him TO come.
Il am going to the Narroway," she
said, as he took her cold hand into his
close grasp. and rested has tired. harass
ed eyes upon her face. now that L have
seen you, Athol."
IL knew YOU would be going. No one
can break this news to the old man so
gently and lovingly as you will, my
darling"
mot conscious yety questioned the
girl, below her breath,
mo-
"Win he-will he recollect it all. or
or forget?"
AT first l think he will forget Ii
may be gone from him even forever. 1t
may all come back"
but not-not at frst?" she whisper
ed eagerly. How long may it be. Athol?"
Not until after the inquest. Not un-
I'll then-if God please" he answered in
a tone of such sorrowful. swed reverence
that Lorraine from that moment shrank
from letting him speak of this again.
As she left the house her father joined
her. with that new tenderness in his voice
and face which was so precious to her
Can you walk. dear? Are you not
weary after such a nightg'
Il would great deal rather walk.
father" she said. linking her arm in
his: especially If you are coming"
Only to the gate. dear. l cannot stay
AWAY from here. and-it will be better