Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-03-08

Will, "and 1 have come back. SO you
must keep your promise"
Dear, / wish you'd KEEP away alto
gether, since you KEEP away so long.
I'm sure l don't want no swethearts
to come moiderin' here at my time o.
life"
"Sweethearts!" exclaimed an aston
ished voice; and as the startled couple
turned round a young girl entered the
room
The ruddy light which streamed in
from the open door gilded hair as
smooth as Mary's own. but II warmer
brown, and made glowing rim around
soft cheek, dimpled and delicately
rosy as hers had once been.
William Prescott beheld the reincar-
nation of the girl-sweetheart of twenty
years ago, and his heart gave sudden
lean. Here was the lass whom he had
courted In his dreams. Mary, yonder,
If the ample figure and determined
ways. had much changed.
And whatever you are cryin' for,
Aunt Polly?" asked the girl. who is
this gentleman? What Is he COON
for?"
"Eh. lass, cannot choose but cry.
Eth. | scarce know how to tell thee.
Dear O. me, when l think O. partin'
with thee as / took in my arms the
very minute thou was born, l may
say"
"Partin' wi me?" gasped Maggie,
turning very pale. "But l didn't know
the gentleman. Dear auntie, you know
| allus said I'd never leave you"
Clasping the wooden arms of her
chair, Mary Molyneux gaseSSaxedly at
the girl, a sudden light : lining into
her blue eyes the while.
"Bide bit, my dear" she said, faint
ly; wait till thous heerd all as the
gentleman's got to say" Turning
quickly to Will Prescott, she saw the
dawning light of understanding inter
est in his eyes, and continued hastily:
This Is Mr. Will'um Prescott, as used
to be a neighbor If ours In old days,
when l were young. l knowed him
we'll then. and know as he's the kind
est heart as ever beat in mans
breast"
Mr.. Prescott cleared his throat and
looked keenly at Mary, smile flicker
ing somewhere in the meshes of his
black beard then he looked at Mag
gle, realizing even more fully than
before that she was certainly very
handsome. handsomer than Mary had
ever been, though amazingly like her.
Hes COON back from America re-
sumed the elder woman, ION the look
ont for wife. He's made his fortune
ont here. and he says his wife's to be
lady. Mr.. Prescotts only AZ" said
Mary: quite young for mon-and
YOU must own he's moan il to look at"
Maggie glanced slyly at the sutton
from beneath her long eyelashes and
William fidgeted in his chair.
Hes very religious mon." went
on Mary, awful religious-'tis great
comfort to a woman to know that.
And he's thinkin' of coming here to-
morrow in a taxicab and taking you
for spin, If you fancy it."
William Prescott made up his mind.
IF your aunt will trust you with
me, Miss Molyneux." he said, Il shall
be delighted to take you for drive.
and l hope it may be the means Of our
becoming better acquainted"
well, I'd like the drive" admitted
Maggie. with blunt north country cam
dor. but I'm sure l don't know about
anything else. 1t seems so sudden,
doesn't 1t, aunt? l can't think how
ever Mr.. Prescott came TO think o. me"
Mary rose to the occasion.
MIR. Prescott really came TO see me,
my dear, bein' an old friend and that.
and we got atalkin and he telled me
| how he were lookin' for a wife, and |
mentioned as l brought you all up
you see, KNOWN me so well. he'd be
sure TO think any lass as was up
brought by me would be like to turn
out well-and then the very minute
you COON in the room he lost his heart
to ye-didn't We. Will'umg'
"Wilrum," with a bewildered air. ad.
/ mitted that he had.
Well, them said Mary, with con-
elusive air and look OF deep salts
faction. Il really think as you couldn't
do better nor consider him. my lass .
Country Life.