Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-11-16
CHAPTER XXI.

so startling?
CHAPTER XIII
Carroll was on the point of leaving
his office in order to meet Irene at
Burlington House. He was putting his
papers together somewhat nervously;
dreading, yet secretly longing for, the
interview before him, when that har-
binger of evil and mischance. the tele-
graph boy, knocked loudly at the street
door. The telegram was for him.
Come home, Agatha very ILL.," ran
the message, which in a moment put
all thought of anything else out of his
head
His interview with Irene must of
course fall to the ground. If he did
not love his wife, ne had at least never
failed in his duty to her; and her state
of health rendered him always scrupu-
lousy anxious to show her every at
tention in his power. He sent for a
hanson, and prepared to go home as
quickly as possible. But he groaned in
spirit as he did so. What fatality it
was that separated him eterrlally from
Irenel Again she would believe him
to be false and untrustworthy.
With a bursting heart and an agony
of apprehension, Rupert Carroll found
himself at last in Chester Square. He
| opened the door with his latch-key and
rushed up the stairs. not knowing
what he might encounter, or what ter
rible news he would be met with. Nat
| urally he went to his wifes bedroom
| the door stood wide open, and the
room was empty! He felt bewildered.
Louise Carroll called out to him from
| the adjoining room, which was hers:
is that you. Rupert?"
How is Agatha 2" he asked, hoarse-
| ly Where is she, what has happen
| cdr"
Nothing at all, why do you look so
frightened. Rupert? She was little
| faint once this morning, but she got
better after lunch; she is in the draw
/ ing-room, l think. She went out by
herself for little walk this afternoon,
but l have seen her since she came IN.
she was none the worse"
Rupert stalked away down to the
| drawing room with the hardest feel
| ings he had ever entertained towards
his wife, boiling in his heart. Agatha
| lay upon the sofa. She smiled at him
! as he came In, but her smile grew a
| little pale and faint when she saw his
angry face. He held out the telegram
to her.
Did you send this telegram" he
asked.
| Now don't look so savagely at me,
| Rupert" she answered. trying to
speak lightly and playfully, though she
| wa friOhfnn0d IL Il,
no great punishment to you to come
home an hour earlier than usual to
your wife!"
Answer my question. Did you send
this telegram? Yes, or no?"
We'll, yes; but it was only a little
joke. There is no harm DONE" she fall
tered.
mo harm! No harm in a lie like
that? You have singular ideas of what
is no HARM. Mrs. Carrolll There is
some deep-laid plan in all this" he
continued angrily;" and I insist on
knowing what it is. Why did you
send it? Tell me the truth. if you
| please"
Then Agatha, too, lost her temper.
ITO prevent your going to meet that
wretched girl. A wife is perfectly JUS
titled in stopping her husband from
running after other women by any
means in her power I consider. I was
determined TO prevent you from going
to her; and l have done So 1t is too
! late now. See. it is five minutes to 6.
You could not get to your appointment
now; the hour is overt"
Rupert became suddenly calm.
Pray, how did you know that had
an appointment with a lady between
and o'clock?" he inquired. gravely
but very sternly. You must have
opened my letter to heri"
"Ah, you admit 1t then, You admit
that there is a lady that YOU were go
ing to meet, oh. but it is shameful
disgraceful. You, a married man. 1A.ad
as to her-why she must be the worst
and wickedest of womeni"
Take care. Agathal You are going
too far. You may say what you choose
OF me. but l forbid you to use violent
expressions about that lady
Miss Garland. l suppose?" she
sneered. beside herself with uncon-
trollable jealousy.
Rupert sat down quietly at the foot
of the sofa.
Il will make no concealment Her
narue is Irene Garland. Shall L tell
you about her."
There was a dangerous glitter in his
eyes; he felt that he could never Tor
give her for what she had done.
She is engaged to he married TO 8
rich man. and people say she is selling
herself for his money" she SAID
breathlessly.
Very likely. l know nothing OF hel
engagement or its motives. What
do know" he went on. in low, con
centrated voice that rang like the knel
OF her doom through her heart lis tina
Irene Garland is the best. and sweet
est. and dearest woman on earth; tina
she IS the only woman l have evel
loved. or ever shall love; and that
had ii not been for the dreadful acci-
dent which, to my endless regret. nlad'
me your husband should have beer
married 10 her long ago"
She flung herself round. face down
wards. upon her cushions. sobbinl
wildly.
oh, you are cruel. cruel." she cried
, Why do YOU say such terrible thing
/ to me-"
because you brought 1t upon your
, SELF he answered. coldly. How dar
you open my letters. and NEEDLE in m,
! affairs?''
HAS not a wife the right to stsi
her hushandw from doing what /
wrong9~ she moaned-