Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-09-25

my name" she told him, ais Lou
ise."
He leaned down toward her, a little
puzzled.
Louise. But your surname?"
She laughed softly. 1t occurred to
him that nothing like her laugh had
ever been heard on that gray-walled
stretch of mountain road.
Never mindI l am travelling incog-
n1to. Who / am, or where am going
well, what does that matter to any
body? Perhaps do not know myself.
You can imagine, If you like, that we
came from the heart of your hills, and
that tomorrow they will open again and
welcome us back"
L don't think there are any motor
cars in fairyland," he objected.
I'VE represent a new edition of fairy
lore" she told him. Modern romance,
you know, includes motor-cars and
even French maids"
All the same" he protested, with
masculine bluntness, II really don't
see how l can introduce you to my
brother as Louise from fairyland.'"
She evaded the point.
''Tell me about your brother. Is he
as tall as you, and is he younger or
older?"
He is nearly twenty years older"
her companion replied. HE is about
my height, but he stoops more than l
do, and his hair is gray. 1 am afraid
that you may find him q little pecu-
liar"
Her escort paused and swung open a
white gate on their left-hand side. Be-
fore them was an ascent which seemed
to her, in the dim light, to be abso-
lutely precipitous.
1T isn't so bad as it looks" he as
sured her, land 1 am afraid it's the
only way up. The house is at the bend
there, barely fifty yards away. You
can see a light through the trees"
you must help me, then, please"
she begged.
He stopped down toward her. She
linked her fingers together through his
left arm and, leaning a little heavily
upon him, began the ascent. he was
conscious of some subtle fragrance
from her clothes, perfume strangely
different from the odor of the ghost
like flowers that bcrdered the steep
path up which they were climbing. Her
arms, slight, warm things though they
were, and great though his own
strength, felt suddenly like a yoke. At
every step he seemed to feel their
weight more insistent-a weight not
physical, solely due to this rush of I'M
expected emotions.
She looked around her almost In
wonder as her companion paused with
his hand upon little iron gate From
behind that jagged stretch of hills in
the distance the moon had now ap-
peared. Before her was garden,
austere-lOOklng with its prim flower
beds, the trees all bent In the same
direction, fashioned after one pattern
by the winds. Beyond was the house
"a long, low building, part of it COW
cred with some kind of creeper.
AS they stepped across the last few
yards of lawn, the black, oak door
which they were approaching suddenly
opened. A tall, elderly man stood look
ing inquiringly out. He shaded his
eyes with his hands.
us that you, brother" he asked
doubtfully.
John Strangewey ushered his COM
panion into the square, oak-paneled
hall, hung with many trophies of the
chase, a few oil-paintings, here and
there some sporting prints. 1t was
lighted only with single lamp which
stood upon round, polished table in
the center of the white-flagged floor.
This lady's mOtor-car has broken
down, Stephen" John explained, turn
ing little nervously toward his broth
er. Il found them in the road, just
at the bottom of the hill. She and her
servants will spend the night here. 1
have explained that there is no village
or inn for a good many miles,"
Louise turned graciously toward the
elder man, who was standing grimly
apart. Even in those few seconds, her
quick sensibilities warned her of the
hostility which lurked behind the tight
ly closed lips and steel-gray eyes. His
bow was stiff and uncordial, and he
made no movement TO offer his hand.
'We are not used to welcoming la
dies at Peak Hall, madam" he said.
II am afraid that you will find US
somewhat unprepared for guests"
81 ask for nothing more than a roof"
Louise assured him.
John threw his hat and whip upon
the round table and stood in the center
of the stone floor. She caught q
glance which flashed between the two
men-of appeal from the one. of icy
resentment from the other.
1--WE can at least add to the roof a
bed and some supper-and welcome"
John declared. us that not so, Ste
phen2"
The older man turned deliberately
away. 1t was as If he had not heard
his brothers words.
81 will go and find Jennings" he
said. HE must be told about the serv-
ants"
Louise watched the disappearing fig
ure until it was out of sight. Then she
looked up into the face of the younger
man. who was standing by her side.
II am sorry" she murmured apollo
getically. Il am afraid that your
brother is not pleased at this sudden
intrusion. Really, we shall give you
very little trouble"
He answered her with sudden
eager enthusiasm. He seemed far more
natural then than at any time since he
had ridden up from out of the shad-
ows TO take his place in her life.
81 won't apologize for Stephen" he
said. He is little crotchety. You
must please be kind and not notice.
You must let me, II can. offer you
welcome anouph for We hn<h