Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-07-27

OF tue crllicdl eyes winch seemed TO en-
circle her on every side.
Mathilde's second and truer impulse
was the one on which she acted, and a
few long strokes took her to her hus-
bands side just as he greeted them. She
would fall fighting, and If she left him
tomorrow, he would have no cause to de-
spise her memory. The girls she knew
slightly-bright, jolly country girls, with
out too keen perceptive faculties, and
with brothers of the same type.
Her greeting to them was cordial but
hurried.
80 glad to see you'll Brought your
skates? That's right
She had not even time to exchange one
glance with Stewart who was overpow-
ering Hudson with effusion that left no
room for words on his part Apparently,
though, he had no words at command
simply staring in mute amazement al
Mathilde
Swiftly she bore down upon him with
outstretched hand
What wonderful meeting! Who
would have expected US to come across
each other like this? Isn't it fun?'
With every sense on the alert, she was
aware while speaking that Stewart was
enticing the others towards bench to
put on their skates, and forlorn hope
braced her to effort With courage the
position might yet be retrieved. and of
that she felt plenty at command.
You mustn't lose a moment; the days
are so short" she heard Stewart noisily
insisting.
The amazement cleared from the boys
face into pure delight
Miss Thorne!" he gasped. What
luck to find you here! l didn't even
know that Stewart was the right man
until | saw him here.l And you are stay
ing with his Canadian wife, l suppose.
They talked a lot about her, coming over,
and that was what puzzled me-"
Mathilde's face paled and flushed. and
she looked wildly round. Norman Stew
art was the only one within possible hear
ing distance, and he, stopping down to
readjust his skate, may not have heard.
Hush" she said in q low voice. PUT
on your skates, and come up to the other
end of the lake with me. I have a Sc
cret to trust to you"
Hudson staring into her set, strained
face saw something there which com
PEELED him to silent obedience. From the
group where the newcomers were being
refreshed with various hot drinks, James
Stewart called to Norman, who slowly
skated off, and the two were left alone.
please, tell me what is the matter?''
Hudson urged anxiously.
Don't look so miserable" Mathilde
laughed, with a touch of conjunction
land try not to look as though | were
telling you anything startling. Don't
you know that l am your hostess. Mrs.
James Stewart?"
The boy groaned; for the dream that
he had dreamed still lowered around him
and such an awakening. was bitter ex.
ceedingly.
please not to look as though any
thing were happening !" she urged. 10Th.
erwise you may do me serious harm"
He was thoroughbred, and answered to
the touch.
Tell me what you want" he said
hoarsely, land l will do it."
II know that l can rely upon you,
Mathilde went on, speaking rapidly. All
the time they were skating towards the
loneliest corner of the lake.
These people here all think-must &c
on thinking-that l have been married
five years and lived in the Northwest. ]
think that no one heard you call me Miss
Thorne. You must be careful to have
only known me as Mrs. Stewart in fact
the less you speak or know of me the
/ better"
They had paused, facing each other
hidden from everyone by a jutting point
| of reeds and bushes. His face had grown
| paler still.
II don't understand" he began in q
] troubled fashion.
That's it," she interrupted. "You car
never understand, but you must help me
without understanding"
Il would do much to help you" be
said simply. "But If there is any wrong
to you in all this, will not help it on.
| you mean" and there was a deer
flush on her face. that you think l an
not really married?"
He stared horror-struck.
| Good Heavens, no How could | think
such thing of you? But something
wrong there must be somewhere"
There is no wrong to me-" she an
swered firmly. Il am wronging no one
not even myself Does that content your
II suppose it must" he agreed slowly
''but will you trust me no more thar
| this? Think how wretched l shall bt
about you," he urged
you had better forget that you havt
ever seen me-" she answered gloomily
"But if it is any satisfaction TO you
/ you can know that the whole affair Is on,
of money interests of my husbands, anC
is only to right an attempted wrong t.
him."
IF you would only tell me that you are
happy" he persisted
She laughed "A small only Well
! at any rate, if am not, it is my own de
liberate doing, and no one can help me-
Are you sure that there is nothing
that can do for you?" he asked.
Nothing, save TO remember that
was Mr.. and Mrs. Stewart with whom
you made voyage, and to take as littl
interest in them as possible. Go bacI
now to the Riddell girls, and avoid tn
home people here. How long do you sta.
| in the neighborhood?' she asked witt
some anxiety.
Il can leave tomorrow if you WISH" h
answered bit proudly.
BE detected her eagerness, and natur
ally did not relish it.
She was beyond mincing matters.
The sooner you so, the better for me.
Then, seeing the pain in his face, sh
added: Forgive me, but l am in q tigh
place"
II will go tomorrow" he said sadly
"only tell LIE one thing. You were no
his wife on board ship?"
I'VE We're married in London two day
after landing. You see that trust you
Now come back. and remember 20 sta
by the Riddell girls"
Wont you say good-bye?"
Il win say goodbye all you like. bu
1 cannot shake hands. There is n
knowing who may be watching. Nov
come"
Silently they skated back and separai
ed. A set Of lancers was forming. an