Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-07-13

BY ALIX JOHN
CHAPTER X-(Coptinued

tered towards Math1lde, who had been
studying some unusual signs of discom-
posure in her husbands manner, but of
what kind she could not exactly define.
Il hardly think we require an introduc-
ton" the little woman said, holding Ma
thilde's hands. Il am sure that Jem
must have told you of his cousin Nellie,
hasn't hep
Even if Mathilde had been reader with
an answer than she was, it would have
been her husband who spoke first, and at
lie sound of his voice she knew that
there was war in it.
''Bow am l to win forgiveness if
plead guilty to never having done so:
Let me atone now, and present my cous-
in, Miss Nellie Fearon, who in the foolish
days of her teens, once thought that she
could put up with my humble self as a
6ance, but who, under stress of duty,
changed her mind"
1t was rather a heavy-handed blow
from a man to a woman, and Mathilde
knew that the woman felt it by the sud-
denness with which her hands were drop
ped and by the wavering of her color.
Her smile, however, never wavered, and
she was ready enough with a retort.
'Oh, you bad man, how can you make
me look SO idiotic, and the first time, too
that your wife has met me-"
But now Mrs. Herbert came to her res
cue.
Nellie, dear, do let James speak to
Mr.. Harter," and now it was the par
sons turn to greet the husband, and be
introduced to the wife.
As they took their places at table, Ma
thilde noted with admiration a sign of
Mrs. Herbert's skill. The table was per-
fectly round, and there being no seat di-
rectly facing Stewards the difficulty of
place was avoided. The meal was not as
tedious as she had expected and it did
not seem long before the women were
back by the drawing room fire, and the
men safe in the smoking-room.
Miss Fearon fdgetted about carefully
arranged pile of soft cushions, glanced
at fashion paper, and then cooed:
Flora, dear, | am sure you will ex
cuse me if | run away for a few mo-
ments to finish a little scrbble for the
post" and with smile she futtered out
of the room.
Then, as Mrs. Herbert leaned back in
her chair and folded her hands, Mathilde
felt that she was delivered into the hands
of the enemy, and prepared for action.
The attack began at once.
Il am sorryQ to hear that you were not
satisfied with your rooms. If you had
told me so at once l could have given
directions about it then, without giving
james the trouble of speaking to the
aOusekeeper."
Here was, in truth, a weak joint in
her armor. Mathilde devoutly hoped that
the other might be too short-sighted to
see her rosy confusion.
"Oh, the rooms are delightful" she an
swered hastily. But one of my hus-
bands fads is space, and he is always
spreading himself and his possessions over
as much ground as possible"
Indeed" came very dryly from the
other Il should hardly have thought
that he had been accustomed of late to
such spacious mansions"
But now her antagonist spoke with
more spirit.
ut may be the depriyations of the last
ten years which have deepened his zest
for the comfortable and pleasant things
of life. You can hardly understand, |
think, how much he enjoys everything"
The widow sighed aggressively
mo doubt he enjoys the change of
prospects, but he should remember that
the uncertainties of life which gave him
those prospects may also make them as
ashes in his mouth"
Mathilde suddenly saw that she had
been all but openly dwelling on the benc-
fits caused by the death of her listeners
husband, and gaSped horrorstruck oh
did not mean that he was not sorry for
your loss.''
1T does not matter" the other answer
ed with smile of patient resignation.
then with a return to her more mt ndane
manner. she added, Il trust, my dear. that
the unexpected meeting with dear Nellie
would not distress your husband 1t was
so stupid in me not to prepare him for
it."
"Why should it distress him?" The
question was short and incisive.
Mrs. Herbert seemed a bit fiustered.
why. my dear, don't you know? |
wouldn't for the world make any trouble.
and | would not have spoken if | had not
thought that you knew: but at the time of
his'-she hesitated-"of his misfortune.
he was engaged to Nellie, and her parents
insisted on breaking off the match. Poor.
dear Nellie behaved very sweetly about it.
and wrote him the most touching letter
imaginable
"Iow romantic = remarked Aathilde.
''And but for me it would have been quite
the orthodox ending TO the third volume.
tonight.
"Ol my dear, am sure"
Thanks; don't worry yourself; 1 am
not of jealous disposition"
Mrs Herbert hooked relieved. "How
sensible! And now, my dear, as We are
getting on so well together. JUST let me
say one little thing quietly to you. You'll
promise me not to mind. WON'T you?r
This is never a reassuripg question,
and Mathilde answered wisely, We'll
see"
'Oh, no; I'm sure you won't You see
Lave been feeling all the evening that
ii would be kinder 10 tell you that En-
glish ladies don't wear so much jewelry
on quiet occasions like this. OF course
understand that it is quite natural un.
der he circumstances, but strangers
might be ABUSED"
Mathilde was by now thoroughly
reused. and spoke with each word clear.
ly:
II appreciate to the full the kindness
of your intentions. Perhaps II will re-
lieve you to know that l was Sophisticat-
ed enough to be aware that there were
unsuitable ornaments for the occasion
and only wore them at the express wish
Of Sir James-'
Here, fortunately, perhaps, for the in
terests of peace, the men made their ap
peaance. and the duel was suspended.
That first night under her husbands
roof Mathilde suffered a terrible lapse
from heroiSm and cried herself to sleep in
regular schoolgirl fashion.
CHAPTER NJ.
When Matilde looked back on those
first weeks spent at 0rkwell thay seemed
TO have passed in a far easier fashion
than she had anticipated.