Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-08-24
CHAPTER II.

IucduOWS were DdLneQ IN SllVer,s the
willows along the waters edge caught
the pale CLEANS upon THERE rustling
branches, whilst far away, the low
wooded hills on either side stood out
against the stan -iecked sky almost as
distinctly and clear as though 1t had
been day instead of night.
TT is lovely!" murmured Irene be-
low her breath
Are you not glad you Gamer" whis-
pered Carroll back
They sat side by side upon the low,
soft cushions, in the stern of the punt.
Carroll had moored her securely to
an oyerhanging willow that flung
dappled shadows from its fiuttering
boughs across the tumbling waters.
Irene was. wrapped in a warm dark
cloak. The moonlight shone full in
her fair, sweet face, and danced in
her eyes. She was little bit fright
ened of what she had done, but she
was very happy all the same.
do you know why have brought
you out here to-ni-t.t?" continued the
young man. Last night. when l was
here by myself, it was quite as beau
tiful as now. The moon was as clear,
and the stars were as bright, the
water shone and glittered as it danced
over the weir. but I felt that there
rs something wanting to me-some
SAe whose eyes should look with mine
at the lovely night, without whom it
was all dull and cold and meaning
less to me. 1 knew well enough what
/ wanted Irene and l said to myself,
Tomorrow 1 will bring her here. and
here, under the moonlight and stars,
1 will tell her that 1 love her-that
my life is empty and imperfect with
out her-that want her love, and her
heart, and her sweet self for my
own"
Her face dropped and fell. He drew
her gently into his arms. she did not
resist him; her head sank down upon
his breast, and he clasped her to his
heart in a long and silent embrace.
Irene surrendered herself freely to
the new found joy of his caresses-
caresses that were as reverent as
they were tender She was a proud
girl-proud and shy-yet once she had
confessed him lord of her heart, she
was a true woman, in that she gave
herself up entirely and wholly to him
she loved--he was her king and her
master. and she was proud as well
as happy to be his chosen love.
Presently, as vas natural. and alas!
as it must always happen. these two.
happy ve-s came down to earth, and
FROM tsfigured spirits of bliss they
became once more a prosaic couple
of yong people. whose future had
now to be contemplated nationally and
practically.
Irene what will your mother say
to me? l suppose / have done very
wrong in speaking to you? / suppose
1t would have been the right thing to
get her consent first. You see you
have known me such a little While,
but then. my darling, l was so anx-
ious to make you love me for myself
and nothing else. You do. don't you.
Irene2"
why, yes. of course. you silly boy
What else should 1 love you for?"
she laughed back softly.
"SGpposing l were a pauper and
hadn't penny In the world and lived
by begging my way along the roads.
would you love me all the same,
Irene? Would you come and share
my mud hovel?"
''Of course 1 should. 1 dare say
you are very poor. really never
thought about it. But I snan't mind
that bit, am not used to being
anything else, you know. And know
lot about housekeeping and cooking.
can make my own dresses. and
mend all your clothes for you, and be
as economical as possible. Oh! 1 shall
love to do 1t ALL"
you little darling! But fortunate
ly, my dear one, am able to offer
you something little better than the
beggars howell you are evidently long
ing TO share l am not exactly rich,
Irene but l have quite enough to be
able to keep you in comfort, If not
exactly in luxury. You shall never
want for anything, my sweet love- and
so I am going to tell Mrs. Garland
when come to see her tomorrow
morning You see, have no father
or mother
"Ah! Now that interests me much,
much more than what amount of
money you have got" cried Irene, ca
gerly. Il have often longed to know
abou. your people and your relations.
/ never liked TO ask you. but now.
won't you tell me something about
them?"
There is very little to tell, dearest
/ have no parents and no brothers.
My only near relation is my sister.
who is a great many years older than
L am. and who lives in the country.
Louise is that much abused person.
an old maid; but she is very dear
old maid. and believe she just wor-
ships the ground your unworthy ser
want treads upon
"Ahl" sighed Irene. Then she viii
not think me half good enough for
you'll"
"wnl she not? Don't fish for com
plIments. little girl: for 1 shall only
stop your mouth with kisses If you
do There is a young lady who lives
with her. Her name is Agatha Dale.
She is no relation to us at all, but my
sister is her godmother. and when Ag-
gle was left an orphan. Louise took
her to live with her. and treats her
as II she were her own child"
And I suppose she would have
liked you to marry Miss Agatha
Dale"
You suspicious childl Well. must
frankly own that DeneVe that oriSl-
nally was my good sisters idea But
Louise is sensible woman, and she
very soon saw that Aggie and I were
very good friends but were never
likely to be anything more"
Il expect Miss Dale is in love with
you. though" she said. ncdding her
head sapiently. How could she help
It. Rupert? You are SO handsome
and so clever. no girl could help low
Ing you"
''You little natterer,- laughed her
Ic-er back fondly. do you know
that you will turn my head II you say
such things?"
THAT would be impossible" she re-
torted seriously. You are too good
TO be vain" Then all at once she cast
her arms round his neck and took his, 4
dark curled head between her two