Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-06-15
CHAPTER VII

1t is a common enough experience with
those whose path leads them down to
the sea in ships to find that the intimate
unconventional friendship of the deck is
placed on an entirely different footing by
the mere resumption of shore clothes and
habits. The man in the tall hat, the
woman in the new bonnet and town dress,
seem to require q more ceremonious
treatment than did the same two people
bundled in a miscellaneous assortment of
last winters wraps. Out of the stress of
complicated sensations Mathfde had for
gotten to include the new mutual attitude
as a very probable factor in her first
meeting with Stewart. 1t was there
though, as she at once realized the next
afternoon when her door opened to admit
him. True. his turnout might not have
passed muster in Piccadilly, for the
smartest of tailors cannot perform in
Simultaneous results: but the trimmed
hair, stiff white collar replacing the fan
mel one. new hat, gloves and overcoat
were enough to produce very different
effect and it was with a pang of dismay
that Mathilde realized what a complete
stranger he was to her. Mingled with
the dismay at their mutual standing was
an impersonal impression of admiration
Mathilde had seen enough of the world
to know that nowhere, under any circum-
stances. could this man be mistaken for
other than he was-one used from his
birth to rule and to lead, secure in his
own self-reliance, embittered. perhaps, by
his experience of life, but showing it only
in the stoical Indifference with which he
60 L
strong man individually, strengthened by
the habits and instincts OF his class,
would his strength be to her a tower of
refuge, or heavy hand to crush? Stew
art seemed to read the scrutiny and doubt
in her eyes.
Well he said, smiling as he held her
hand, "and what do you think of me in
my shore rig-out?' Then. seeing her en-
barrassment, Never mind, you needn't
tell me. Let me say, instead, how much
l am impressed by yours"
Mathilde was still in the street dress
which she had worn during the day, a
plain, taiIor-made black cloth With one
of the subtle little feminine fancies as to
some small point of attire in one of life's
crises, she had left on her hat, feeling as
though the outdoor dress took away some
what from the intimacy of this first real
tete-a-tete.
You look fairly comfortable here"
Stewart went on, with a scrutinizing
glance around. And you are going to
give me some tea, and let ME sit by the
FIRE bit, aren't your" Then, as they
were seated. he added Heavens, what a
comfort it is to feel that one can speat
out without looking over ones shoulder
to see IL Kerr or Hudson are within ear
shot And there is such lot to say 70
There was. indeed. much to say-the
minutiae of plans which he had matured
since their last Capitalization. One of
these plans was the obtaining Of a maid.
which he pronounced necessary, 'or else
Mrs. Herbert would say in her honoyed
voice, You must let me find you a nice,
reliable woman, my dear and there you
might be settled with a spy of hers in
your pocket"
But ifJ got a mAid now she would
know everything"
"oh. you must not get her until you
are at the Metropole. / will speak to the
manager to-day about my wife wanting
one when she comes to town. They al
ways know about people. Don't you think
that French woman. with a mere smst-
tering Of English. would be best? She
would be more dependent upon, and less
liable 10 gossip"
Yes, / suppose so" she agreed. won
deriRg BIT ST his grasp of tribes.
There is another matter he went on
more seriously; Il want to tell you that
| intend settling the half Of my North
west property upon you. II is all that
have at my disposal at present, although
l suppose that. il all goes well. my faith
er will make some arrangement for me.
OF course. at the same time, shall have
wiz in your favor prepared for me TO
sign after the marriage"
Marhilde began 10 realize how much
she was going TO accept from this man.
who was all but stranger 70 her.
She leaned forward impulsively.
1T is impossible that | should accept
50 much from you" she said quickly.
The viii may be fair enough. though
hope-I an sure that you ought to- me