Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-08-10
CHAPTER xIY-lcontinuad.l


and her hat and walking boots. l found
her dinner dress on the floor when 1
came up from supper, an hour ago."
An icy hand seemed to clutch at Stew
arts heart. For that one instant the
thought that she had gone with Norman
flashed through his brain, but he shook it
off like a venomous reptile.
MY poor darling!" he muttered to
himself; "she might have trusted me to
take care of her. she would have,
think, if it hadn't been Tor my madness
the other day BY -! If harm comes
to her, someone shall pay for it!'
He pulled himself together, body and
mind, to face the present emergency. The
indoors light and warmth grew insuffer-
sble 10 him, when Mathilde was out alone
somewhere in the winter night. He spoke
quietly
rs there anything else taken or
changed" And the maid took courage
from the steady purpose in his face, and
answered quickly:
"A little jewel-box has gone from its
place, and a small traveling-bag."
That's right" and she saw by her
masters face that his news was not un-
welcome.
Now, listen, Jeanne" he went on i'm
pressively. You are a good. faithful
soul, am sure and shall trust you. l
am going out, and may be gone all night;
but whatever happens, until you hear
from me, stay by these rooms. Have
good fires, hot water, soup and brandy
ready, and bed heated. Get one of the
other women to stay with you. If'-his
voice seemed to choke-"if Madame
shecid come back while l am away, see
that she has every care. Send for doc
tor or anything you need"
Stewards next movements were man
aged with incredible rapldity. The old
butler and housekeeper were given conf
Dental orders the men from theAstables
sent for. The only momentary check
was when his man could only lay hands
on one glove.
They were here when l went down to
supper, SIR
Never mind, any pair will do and
Stewart was off to the servants hall,
where the men were gathered.
In few curt words he explained that
Mrs. James Stewart had gone out, and,
1t was feared, had missed her way, or
met with some accident.
A groom was to drive quickly with
light trap to the station, and make in
quiries The coachman was to follow
with brougham in case she should wish
to return in it. The other men were to
take lanterns, and in couples search the
various avenues that led through DIRK
well woods, he himself being one of the
number With ready alacrity the men
were scattering, when Stewards man
came in. Please, sir, Jeanne says that
Nomad is not in the sitting-room, and
I've hunted and whistled all over the
house for him. l thought you might like
to take him."
A strange spasm crossed Stewards
face. Was the thought so hard that a
deg should share the darkest hour from
which he was excluded?
Thanks" he said gently. II dare say
that he has followed Mrs. Stewart"
Action brought some relief, and it was
a greater relief still to be sharing the
darkness and coldness of the night, in
stead of being comfortable within.
How long they tramped through the
woods Stewart never very clearly knew,
but it seemed as though several nights of
suspense had been compressed into the
time before the distant howl of a dog
broke on the Stiffness
Stewart grasped the keepers arm.
tom, can it be Nomad?" he said.
Its some dog in distress a terrier
should say; and it's down the Coombe
Bottom road, sir
Swiftly Stewart plunged through the
brushwood for a few moments, then
paused again. whistle, Tom, can't -
The howl was changed to an excited bark,
and they rushed on.
Out on the hillside path, the bark quite
near now, and then they instinctively
slackened their steps bit and Stewart,
with shaking hand, turned the hnte<n
onto that dark mass that lay across his
path-on Mathilde's outstretched form
on the dog crouching against her. With
wild yaps of joy, Nomad recognized his
master. but the noise failed to arouse
Mathilde
While the keeper held the lantern.
Stewart rubbed lips and temples with
brandy, felt a faint futtering of the
heart, and rubbed on with greater hope.
Back from the land of shadows she came,
TO find her head pillowed on his breast.
his arm around her, his voice murmuring,
broken with its passion of tenderness.
my darling, my own darlingr,
Her eyelids futtered and lifted. and
she saw his face in the lantern light as
it bent above her
"Jem" she murmured, and a smile of
perfect content was on her face.
Tom, the keeper, was a married man
of few months standing, and he fairly
blubbsred over the sight: but he was
practical. I'D better blow my whistle
for help, SIR he suggested
1t was needed, for presently. when Ma
thilde was able to whisper enough words
TO tell that her knee was hurt, il was
clear that il would no easy task to carry
her back up that rough hillside in the
dark.
1t was done though, for blankets e1d
poles had been brought for such an emer-
gency. and though she once or twice lost
consciousness FROM pain, the little band
at last reached ORWELL. As they neared
the door. already open for their heralded
approach, Stewart felt faint pressur.
on the hand that held Mathilde's as ne
walked beside the extemporized litter.
''What is it. dsrling?" he whispered.
You won't let them come near me?'
'Never You shall never see one of
them again"
But once more she whispered anxious
ly; But have l any right to be here?
thought | should only come back dead"
Thank God, you come back TO me
alive. You come home-your home fol
life" And. resssured she let herself sink
back into shadowland again.
The outspoken country doctor, clever
man in his way, insisted to Stewart on .
cheerful view.
"A feverish cold. and shock to the
nerves sufficient 10 kill weaker woman.
he said. unknowing the sting his word:
contained; ''but | can see that she ha:
magnificent physique, and Wen pull
her through. none the worse for ii,
trust. / don't say that the healing Of
the knee-cap won't be tedious, but ther'
are So many worse things than tedious
-. ~ .ha world Please God there arr