Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-03-15
The Fateful
Miss Douglas


Mrs. Ransom surveyed her tall
brother meditatively, while he re-
turned the scrutiny with smiling
cheerfulness. John Macpherson was
enjoying to the utmost the little visit
to his sister, whom he had not seen
since her marriage couple Of years
previous, so he did not in the least
understand why she should sigh and
remark seriously: Its too bad; yes.
1t Isl"
WHAT" he asked, lazily.
why, that you got here just the
day after Isabel Douglas left town, "
responded pretty little Mrs. Ransom.
shes the dearest girl! She's"
Lives in Kentucky, beautiful as a
dream, glorious brown eyes, most
charming disposition on earth. is"
"Where'd you meet herr" broke in
Mrs. Ransom, breathlessly.
Il never had the pleasure" laughed
her brother only l had to sit one
whole evening during my visit In To-
ledo and hear my hostess recount the
charms of this most evasive Isabel.
She had left there just the week be-
fore my arrival. l seem to cast a
blighting shadow over her enjoyment;
ut any rate. she runs at my approach"
But II he had not seen her the fame
Of Miss Isabel Douglas was destined TO
haunt his ears. During his visit at
his sisters he heard Miss Douglas
name so frequently on the lips OF Wis
ltors that he grew half irritated. 1t
vas Impossible that any girl could be
such a paragon-and II she was he
had no desire to know her.
When he reached Chicago on his
homeward way he stopped to transact
some business Phillips, his lawyer,
was most cordial In pressing his New
York client to come out to his house
and Macpherson was half induced to
accept. His frame OF mind expert
snced an instantaneous change. how
ever, when Phillips added:
We've a visitor coming tomorrow
you'd like to meet. l know-Miss Isa-
bel Douglas of Kentucky. She"
OQTTN, SdlU uc-
.idedly. but l can't wait over a day
on any account. my dear man"
Even in New York he was not left
In peace. One of the newspapers print
I'd a page of pictures and gossip about
beautiful women and, Idly glancing
il over. the name OF Douglas caught
his eye. He groaned as he looked
eloser-yes, the first name was Isabel.
Then he searched for the picture of
her and stared at 1t half Indignantly.
Il was a very lovely face. more than
that. 1t was high-bred and thoughtful.
as well as perfect in line and form.
In a few weeks she had passed out
Of his mind entirely.
But John Macpherson was not tc
slip out of the clutches Of determined
tate IN this easy fashion. With no
warming whatever. no premonitions Of
the trap before him. he climbed the
steps of a Fifth avenue house one
oigl,t to fulfill a dinner engagement
His hostess was a charming woman
and her dinner was famous. He was
In a very pleasant frame OF mind. As
he opened the little envelope contain
ing the name OF his dinner partner
he exclaimed to sharply that the we'll
trained footman could not forbear q
glance of establishment. On the card
wgs the name OF isabel Douglas.
Macpherson, instantly in revolt.
meditated flight for an instant. then
realized how impossible that was and
that there was nothing 20 dc but 60
downstairs and meet her
At any rate, she should not add him
20 the list of victims report said
atrewed her path.
He entered the big drawing room
and greeted his hostess
I've favored you tonight" that lady
said, smiling. I've given you the
prettiest aad incest girl here to take