Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-11-02

out the tiaras and necklaces on the
counter for her inspection; and Irene
sat down and begged him not to trou-
BILE himself until Mr.. Taunton arrived.
as she could not decide anything with
out him. So she waited quietly, seated
by the counter, with the jewels shin
ing and cleaning in their cases before
her.
These are part of my price," she
thought. as she looked idly down at
them; "a portion of the sum for which
/ have sold myself. Well, / may as
well enjoy them. I suppose l have
earned the right to them. They are
beautiful. too. 1 love good diamonds.
How they sparklel how they shine!
and yet-and yet-the spray that came
dancing over Chatswell lasher in the
moonlight was far more beautiful and
l would give all the glittering stones
gladly for one single drop of that en-
chanted water-for one word from that
voice that is dead to me for ever!"
Would you like the paper, madam 2"
said Mr.. McGillup to her.
Irene had seen the morning news,
and did not particularly care to read
the newspaper; but she took the fold
ed sheets from Mr.. McGillup's hand,
and began mechanically to read the
first thing that came uppermost in the
long printed columns, and it so hap
pened that it was upon the list of
houses to be let or sold that her eyes
rested idly. Suddenly she read ia
miliar name
"Chatswell-on the Upper Thames.
To be sold. by private sale, or by auc-
ton on the 10th inst. A bijou cottage
residence, situated on one of the love
Hest backwaters of the river"
Then followed a minute description
of the house, the rooms, the gardens,
the outhouses. Her heart heat tumult-
uously and wildly; the words danced
before her eyes. 1t was her old homa,
| the peaceful cottage in which she had
! lived from childhood to womanhood;
| where she had loved and where she
had lost, all that life had held most
| dear to her!
And 1t was to be sold! Sold to
strangersl It would belong to others
never again to her-never; never!
Then all at once bold and auda :
| cious idea sprang up in her mind. A
| private hanson stopped outside, the
| door of the shop opened, and Mr.
| Taunton's short and inelegant figure
| darkened the entrance. She sprang
breathlessly to meet him, with the pa
per in her hand.
Joel" she cried, calling him, as she
very rarely did, by his Christian name
| in her excitement, II don't want the
| diamonds DON'T indeed! There is
something I want you to give me In :
stead-something that want so much
and that it would make me happy-so
very happy to have. Look here!" and
| she showed him the advertisement
| You want this? This cottage
1 Irene?" he asked. rather puzzled by
her breathless eagerness.
YES, yes; instead of the diamonds
1t won't cost more, will it? And
should like it-oh, ever SO mucl, bet
| eef! 1t is my old home-my mother
| dieo therel She is buried in the
| churchyard close by. Oh, Joe, do give
it to me for a wedding present instead
of the diamonds!"
MY dear girl. of course you shall
! have 1t, II you fancy it. What's lit
| tie trumpery cottage like that to me
| But you can't possibly have 1t instead
of the diamonds. You must have a
| ,iara and necklace. How are you tc
be presented next season without them
l should like to know? 1 mean Mrs
| Joseph Taunton to have the best jew
elry that money can buy. and to CIT
all the other women out. But I'll tel
you what I will do I'll give you this
little place for birthday present; it's
your birthday next week. isn't it?
was going to give you horse; but Il
| you would like this better. my dear
| you shall have it instead"
"Oh, ever so much better." she cried
| gratefully. "Oh, Joe. you are indeed
| good to mel"
And she was nearer to loving him a
that moment that she had ever beer
before. He was as good as his word
| On the morning of her birthday. q
large blue envelope was brought to hel
by express messenger; it contained tbs
| title deeds of a ninety nine years leas,
| of the bijou cottage residence a
| Chatswell- on Thames. and was mad,
out in her name as a free gift from
the purchaser.
She little knew. as with trembling
| hands and tear-blinded eyes she eager
| ly scanned the precious papers. tina
| the first CLEAN OF returning happiaes:
| of life lay lurking within their prosai,
folds! Had Joseph Taunton known
what that birthday present was 10 leaC
| to. perhaps he would never have giver
II to herl