Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-11-20

4 am very sorry, madame" Aline re
piled. Il hesitated for some time, but
| thought you would like to know that
the gentleman was here 1t is Mr.
Stephen Strangewey-Mr. Johns
| BROTHER
Louise clasped her knees with hel
fingers and sat thinking. She was wide
awake now.
He has been here sorne time al
ready. madame" Alfne continued. 81
did not wish TO disturb you, but
thought perhaps 1t was better for you
to know that he was here"
"Qulte right, Aline," Louise decided
go down and tell him that will see
him in half an hour, and get my bath
ready at once"
Louise dressed herself simply but
carefully. She could conceive of but
one reason for Stephens presence In
her house, and 1t rather amused her. II
was, of course, no friendly visit. He
had come either to threaten or to
cajole. Yet what could he do? What
had she to fear? She went over the In
terview In her mind, imagining him
crushed and subdued by her superioi
subtlety and finesse.
With little smile of coming triumph
upon her lips she descended the stairs
and swept into her pleasantly warmed
and perfumeG little drawing-room. She
even held out her hand cordially to the
dark, grim figure whose outline against
the dainty white wall seemed so map
propriate.
''Tbis Is very nice of you indeed, Mr.
StraI gewey," she began. 81 had no idea
that you had followed your brothers
example and come to town."
She told herself once more that hel
slight instinct of uneasiness had been
absurd. Stephens bow, although lit
tie formal and austere, was still an
acknowledgment of her welcome. The
shadows of the room, perhaps, had pre-.
vented him from seeing her out.
stretched hand.
mine Is very short visit, Miss Mau.
rel" he said. ST had no other reason
for coming but to see John and to pay
this call upon you"
81 am greatly fattered," she told
| him. "You must please sit down and
make yourself comfortable while we
talk. See, this is my favorite place.
she added, dropping into a corner OF
her lounge. "Will you sit beside mel
Or, If you prefer, draw up that chair"
"My preference" he replied, sis to
remain standing"
She raised her eyebrows. Her tone
altered.
at must be as you wish, of course -
she continued; 'only have such pleas
ant recOllections of your hospitality at
Peak Hall that I should like, If there
was any possible way in which could
return it"
Madam" he interrupted, you must
admit that the hospitality of Peak Hall
was not willingly offered to you. Save
for the force of circumstances, you
would never have crossed our thresh-
old"
She shrugged her shoulders. She
was adapting her tone and manner to
the belligerency of his attitude.
"WellT
"YOu want to know why have found
my way to London?" he went on. ST
came to find out a little more about
YOU"
"About me?"
ITO discover If there was anything
about you" he proceeded deliberately,
concerning which report had lied. l
do not place my faith In newspapers
and gossip. There was always a chance
that you might have been an honest
woman. That is why 1 came to Lon
don, and why 1 went to see your play
last night"
She was speeches.. 1t was as If he
were speaking to her in some foreign
tongue.
Il have struggled" he continued, ito
adopt a charitable view of your pro-
fession. know that the world changes
quickly, while we, who prefer to re-
main outside its orbit, of necessity lose
touch with its new ideas and new
fashions. So 1 said to myself that
there should be no mistake. For that
reason sat in a theater last night al
most for the first time in my life. l
saw you act"
"WellT she asked almost defiantly.
He looked down at her. All splendid
self-assurance seemed ebbing away.
She felt sudden depression of spirit,
q sudden strange sense of insignifi-
canoe.
Il have come" he said, "if can, to
buy my brothers freedom"
ITO buy your brothers freedomT
she repeated, in a dazed tone.
My brother is infatuated with you"
Stephen declared. II wish to save
him.
The woman's courage began to as
sert itself. She raised her eyes to his.
Exactly what do you mean?" she
asked calmly. SIN what way is any
man to be saved from me? If your
brother should care for me, and l, by
any chance, should happen to care for
him, In what respect would that be
state from which he would require sal
vationY
you make my task more difficult"
he observed deliberately. "Does it
amuse you to practice your profession
before on so ignorant and so unappre-
r-------------- --------rT--7