Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-01-02
THE QUARTERBREED
OF an dian Reeraio
By ROBERT AMES BENNETT
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The SuddenneSS of the movement drew
all eyes back to him. His wine-f1ushed
face had gone white. He met the Won
dering look of the man opposite, and
forced a smile.
81 have still another announcement
to make" he said, zone that you will
all admit to be still more pleasant than
the delightful news of our gallant
friends summons to wider fields of
service. Gentlemen-and lady-per-
NIT me to remind you that all the
world loves a lover. This being true,
it follows that all the world must dou-
bly, love a pair of lovers. 1t is my
privilege and delight to be able to an
nounce that, as / am not at present
free to engage myself, the other MEM
Der of the pair, our charming hostess,
has gaciously given her promise to
wait for me-"
He caught up his champagne glass.
which the Indian boy had just refilled.
Gentlemen, here's to the loveliest
girl in the world, the lady who has
given me her true promise!"
The commissioners rose-Dupont
rose. Hardy sat as if stunned, his eyes
fixed upon Marie's face in a strained,
half-incredulous stare. She was very
pale. She seemed to shrink. Yet she
made no attempt to deny Vandervyn's
statements. Hardy stood up with the
other men and, for the first time that
evening, he emptied his champagne
glass.
Youth to youth" he murmured.
Meeting Vandervyn's exultant smile,
he drew in deep breath, and his voice
rang clear and steady: you are to
be congratulated, sir. 1 wish you the
great good fortune that you may in all
things prove worthy of the lady's
trust"
Vandervyn's flushed face crimsoned,
but whether with shame or anger could
not be told. Marie had risen, and her
tactfulness diverted attention from the
rivals.
"The coffee and cigars will be served
in the parlor," she announced.
Vandervyn somewhat hastily led the
way to the other room. Hardy, being
the farthest away, followed behind the
others. When he came to the door he
coolly closed and bolted it.
"Captainl" brathlessly exclaimed
Marie. What will they think?"
"Most of them are beyond thinking,
and they have the whisky bottle" he
replied. He faced about, and came
back to her.
She shrank before the look in his
eyes.
"You-you have no right" she MUIR
INJURED. 81 will go"
"Not until you have heard me. There
may be no other opportunity for me to
see you alone before / go away" he
said. 81 do not wish to reproach you.
Yet you must realize that your failure
to tell me of your premise to him led
me to believe had lighting chance"
"You-do not-ask me to explain, -
she faltered.
what is there to explain?" he re-
joined. "You knew that 1 trusted
your sincerity utterly. and you were
willing to amuse yourself with me
while he was away"
"I-you have no right" she sought
to defend herself. II never led you
to believe"
you told me nothing of that prom
| Use to him. l thought you-what you
knew 1 thought you; and all these
weeks, every day How can woman
look so beautiful-seem so true and
loving in every word and act-and toy
with the deepest feelings of man as
you have amused yourself with mine?
No, do not attempt to deny the facts.
please. 1t will only add to the bitter
ness. 1 am trying to keep from say
ing harsher things. l cannot hide the
fact that you have struck me a severe
blow. 1t would be easier if you had
not insisted upon my coming here to-
night to be made the butt Of his mock
cry"
Marie threw up her head, her eyes
blazing with indignant scorn.
you can believe that of me?
thought you a gentleman" Her voice