Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-08-16
CHAPTER XIII.

Undecided people never bide by the
resolutions of the previous night. In
the morning everything looks different.
and II Is especially in the morning that
common sense is wont to assert its su
oremacy over impulse. When Mrs.
Fenton woke and collected her ideas.
sho saw very clearly how tremendous
would be the risk of immediate confess
sion. and how much more probable 1t
was that confession would be reward
cd hv dissolution few months later
than at that particular moment. The
unshot of her cogitations was that she
made up her mind to be guided by cir
,,nstances The first circums lance
that occurred was the arrival of Fred
Nusgrave at IL o'clock. in accordance
with custom, and Fred was not In a
very cheerful mood. The fact was that
on the preceding afternoon he had had
a short conversation with Susie Moore
,vbich had disturbed his mind. For Su-
Oia had confided to him that she was
anxious to take up nursing the sick as
an occupation. and that although her
father and her step-mother were at
Dresent strongly opposed to her doing
ANYTHING of the sort, she hoped in time
20 overcome their prejudices. Hence
ba was little absent-minded, and
cite failed to catch the drift of the
tentative observations which his be-
trothed addressed to him.
In reply to certain questions OF hers,
he said. somewhat indifferently. what
he had said once before. that. in his
onInion. II was better that married peo-
nj, should not inquire too closely into
the episodes OF each others past lives.
But there might be a good deal to
forgive" Mrs. Fenton suggested.
II don't see that" he answered. Il
shouldn't feel that l had a right 10
complain OF anything that my wife had
dome before met her"
mot even IL II was something dis
GRACEFUL"
II have complete trust In you. Laura.
II there were anything that I really
ought to hear about l am sure you
wouldn't conceal II from me. AS for
bygone fiirtations l haven't confessed
all mine to you. ana ! don't expect you
to confess yours to me.
He would not understand. and wher
she tried to put him upon the right
tack her courage failed her. and the
words died away upon her lips. Al
length she said: Men are less inquisi-
tive than women. 1 suppose. l should
like to hear everything that you had
ever done from your school days, but
haven't asked many questions or oblis-
ed you 10 tell any lies. have l -
Il certainly haven't told you any
lies"
"Ah. that's an objectionable orense
isn't it?"
Well. I think It is" he answered.
little curtly. AT any rate, It's the one
offense which could never pardon,"
After that. she gave 1t up and chang
ed the subject. All the passion Of hel
nature revolted against the yoke which
her conscience sought TO lay upon her
and revolted successfully, She knew
that sooner or later a battle woulc
have to be fought which must be dec,'
sIve as to her chance of earthly happi.
ness; but she determined that sh'
would fight il upon ground OF her owr
choosing. not under the most disad
vantageous conditions possible. Pres
entity Fred took his leave. hs wing aseer-
tanned that she would moi want hin
that afternoon.
Later in the day Mr.. BRENT called II
AIbemarle street. bringing With hin
certain documents to which Mrs. Fen
toms signature was required. She wa
at home. he was told. but the waite
believed she was engaged; in fact, Their
was a gentleman with her.
SOh. a gentleman" said Mr.. BRENT
laughing (for so great was his acute
ness that he thought he could CUES
who the gentleman was likely TO be)
We'll. YOU had better put me in tn
dining room then: I'm in no grea
hurry"