Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-06-29

Perhaps he did, and thought no better
of US for it," she said, in the same tone
as before
why on earth should he not?' he
asked, staring at her in amazement, not
unmixed with anger.
She, too, showed more warmth.
Il suppose he looks on me as a woman
who has not scrupled to take the legal
place which before God belonged to an
other woman"
THAT is rather far-fetched to be
mans view of the matter" Stewart said,
with an angry laugh; then he asked stern
ly: rs that what you feel?'
Hardly, or | should not be here"
The answer was prompt and proud,
and his eyes softened at it, though he
spoke as determinately as before.
Whatever opinion he may have evolv-
ed from his inner store of self-righteous-
ness, there is only one course open to me
that is to write and inform him of our
marriage, and also of the fact that we
have no desire for his further acquaint-
ance''
Mrs. Stewart looked, as she felt, sur
prised. and said:
But that might lead to something
',hich would upset the whole scheme"
Hardly that. There is no necessity
to give him any address. But even if it
were to spoil the whole thing, we cannot
leave him in any doubt as to your posi-
ton"
A glow of kindliness softened her face
with its warmth and light
She was ashamed at the remembrance
of the bitter thoughts of the night watch
es, when she had judged this man as care
less of her honor and his own.
And it is no such great risk" he went
on. HE is not at all likely to run up
against any of the Orwell people, or
even to see us again for some time to
come"
"All the same, it is very good in you to
risk it, she said, gently.
An unmistakable air of qualification
responded to her more gracious attitude.
though he only muttered in an abrupt
fashion: mot at all, not at ALL"
There was silence for few moments,
and then Stewart began again with an
evident effort.
There is one thing I want to say be-
fore we get there. You must remember
that if the whole scheme should get blown
upon. it wouldn't be such a dreadful trag-
edy after all.
Say that the facts came out, and I'M
der Flora's influence, my father turned
crusty; well, | am a fairly prosperous
man in the Northwest, and on my fathers
death | could always let the place, and
get a big rent for the shooting. be-
leve, though, that a very few years more
of hard work out there, with the Orwell
rent to invest, would enable me to live
on the place. Would two or three years
as a settlers wife be a very hard or
deal?'
There was q certain usefulness in
his voice which she might have detected.
il il had not been for the swift vision
that came over her of that house on the
prairie, haunted by that other woman's
sorrow, and with that little white cross
on the slope against the sky.
1t was not the dread of long. solitary,
winter days, but the shadow of Stewards
past, that sent an involuntary shudder
over her, though, he, keen to notice it,
put it down to the dread of such hard
ship
She laughed dryly: 1--WE should look
rather silly with such a marriage manque
on our hands"
1T need not necessarily be that" he
said, in rather an indistinct voice. with
his head turned to stare out of the win
dow.
She thought that she had caught those
words, but she could not be quite sure,
and, puzzled aud uncertain, remained ST.
lent.
They had lunched, they had finished
their papers, and chatted by fits and
starts, before. in the early afternoon
hours, Stewart began to recognize with
growing interest the landmarks as they
passed.
At last he said: ours is the next sta
ton. There is the beginning of ORWELL
woods. BY heavens, that woman shan't
drive me out from the old place without
d fight for it" With such warlike SEN
timent. he made ready to alight.
There was an evident air of excite
ment on the platform among the small.
scattered groups of farmer folk and vii
lage worthless, and Mrs. Stewart, looking
on, saw her husband, flushed and smiling
and visibly touched, as a hearty cheer re-
ceived him. and he exchanged vigorous
handshakes with his old friends.
The old coachman on the box of the
carriage was surreptitiously rubbing his
but grin helplessly.
After all, there is something worth
coming home to-" Stewart said, as the
carriage door shut on them.
A long drive throdugh upland meadows
and Sloping beechwoodS; a village street
where the women and children stood at
the doors in their Sunday clothes. and
dipped and curtsied a sharp turn into big
gates past a lodge. and an overarched
avenue curving up before them.
There is the house." Stewart said.
throughout the drive be had taken sew
eral side-glances at his wife. but II be
were looking for signs of nervousness he
found none.
As the carriage swept up the slope to
the great entrance door. Stewart spoke a
few words which fairly took away her
breath.
by Jove. :" he said, suddenly, as if
under some uncomfortable impulse. mo
one can look at you and say that have
rot brought the right mistress for such
a home"
She stared, and then laughed outright;
but before she could think Of any answer
the carriage had drawn up, the massive
hail doors were flung open, and the gray
haired butler was on the steps.
1t was thus, with her beauty heightened
BY the glow brought by her husband
admiration, that she entered her future
home.
She felt. rather than saw, the stately
proportions OF the great hall. for Stew
art rad called her attention TO the agi-
taJed old man. and she was just giving
him indy greeting when her keenly
alert stuSeS were aware of the opening Of
door. and through that door she saw
advancing a woman's tai, slim figure in
an elaboration Of widows weeds
James" she said. quickly, 10 at
tract Stewards attention. and then be-
thought herself that IL wss the first time
L I - l. ~f-.-s.