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


emit state of affairs.
On a dark, wintry afternoon, when
with great care she had been lifted on a
sofa, with bright-tinted cushions and
down quilt heaped about her. and wrap
ped in the daintiest of pink silk, lace
trimmed tea-gowns, there was an I'M
doubted air of conyalescence over the
scene, which aroused her energy
Mathilde looked at her husband, who
sat staring into the fire, and was encour-
aged by a new placidity which she saw
in his face He was no longer man at
war with the world.
Her voice was a bit tremulous as it
first broke the silence.
You have never told me a word about
Flora"
He turned on her a scrutinizing glance,
then, apparently satisfied with her as
pect, demanded lazily:
.Wel what do you want to know
about her?"
"Oh, everything What she said and
did that night; what she has done and
said since"
That's a large order. Unfortunately,
| cannot crafty your second demand, for
| have not seen her since she left tie
house the morning after your accident"
Left the house! Oh, please don't
tease me, but tell me about it,
And then Stewart did tell her very
gently, the story of the end of that event
full evening Mathildes tears fell fast as
she heard Sir James last words, and of
his present death in life
'Oh, l am sorry. 1 am sorry! !" she
sobbed II would give so much if we had
never deceived him"
so would | = be said in low voice.
understood what that woman said, or
knew what we had done"
Mathilde still sobbed and Stewart,
afraid of her agitation, said "Now, you
must be good or | shall not tel you about
the rest
The rest?" she asked vaguely.
"Yes. Only think of your having
romantic love affair under your nose with
out your ever detecting it." And then
he told, with a touch of humor, of poor
Nellie's disappointing schemes and affec
lions.
"Nellie?" she murmured. "Nellie? But
l thought-"
'What did you think?' he asked grave
ly, almost sternly.
There came no answer and the silence
was heavy between them.
What did you think p again he re-
peated the question with greater empna-
sis; then suddenly leaning forward and
catching her hands: Good heavens You
never could have been mad enough to
think that it was II"
There was a touch of her old self in
the flushing face and the resentful voice
II thought nothing. :. 1t was what saw"
What did you see?"
II saw her in your library crying and
leaning against you, while you held her
with your arm. What else could |
Think"
Stewart laughed, half in Impotence,
half in mirth
80 you saw us that night when the
little chit came crying to me about her
dressmakers bills, and got a big check
out of me- How could | help 1t if she
would prop herself UP against me? But
that you should think-when you mist
have known that no other woman existed
for me save you J"
But how could know when you tod
me you were tired of me?'
Il was tired of the bargain, and OF
having a wife who seemed 10 belong 20
everyone else moe than ne Anu :
suppose you will say that you didn't
know how jealous | was when said IL =
Il didn't, really =
You didn't oh. Mathille:" letting
The tenderness in hIs voice have scope.
''how angry l could be with you but for
this"
This was a remarkably shabby dogskin
glove, which he pulled from his pocket
and which Mathilde seemed to recognize
| Without word she bent her head. as
| Stewart now knelt beside her, with his
arm around her, there was no place TO
rest it on, save his coat.
| well. but how could 1 have known
You never told me-
''On your word of honor now" and his
hand raised the dropping face for his IN
/ spection had l not shown you that |
cared for you;"
Sometimes when you were4 so nice, l
thought perhaps you did; but l never
was quite sure, and always thought you
so kind and considerate. But l used TO
get unhappy, and then, when l saw thai
Naughty child. / should like 10 shake
you. would if you weren't lame. Tell
| me-" and his voice grew earnest again,
hadn't you come to understand why !
did ii alp
NO. she whispered in an unusually
meek voice,
And was sure At one time that you
had, Perhaps you viii acknowledge that
If on board ship, knowing your story,
had told you that l admired you more
than any woman / had ever seen, and
asked you to marry me the next week
you would probably have refusedi'
Il suppose So she agreed, still meek
".
And then l might not have found i
easy TO renew the friendship in Paris
You certainly showed great talent in slip