Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-05-12
Illustrated by
IrwinMyei'S
cepy-.snt 1870 by the Ao+he..


ing stealth, so delicateiy poised IN
apprehensiveness she seemed scarcely
to touch the floor. The room was
quiet. dim with shadows, but for her
self untenanted.
A slight sound drew her attention.
She discovered dining room beyond
the living room. Soft-footed, Japa-
nese boy In white linen appeared, car
rying two candelabra Of three branches
each. and vanished after placing them
upon the round dining table, where
their rich light fell softly on lustrous
napery, FURNISHED silver, an iridescent
bowl of cut glass filed with burning
roses.
She remarked that there were places
set for two.
Her regard reverted TO the living
room. She thought 1t delightful inlev-
cry detail of its .unpretentious luxury
Riches alone could never have ere
ated If. The wood fire ready laid in
the feldstone fireplace would present
ly be GRATEFUL already there was
mint of chill in the aromatic, rare air
of the. hills.
She moved aimlessly to the middle
of the room and paused again. A long
breath sighed on her lips AS she
|. turned uneasily toward the veranda
duplication of the gesture made her
aware of mirror on the wall oppo-
site. She inspected herself gravely.
! She had walked. up without shad-
| ow of doubt upon her understanding !;
she recalled without a break every
link in the chain of events which mad
brought her to this place; she was
| acutely conscious of her anomalous
nosition in this household. profoundly
/ disturbed -.
remote droning noise crept into
the stiffness of the evening so gradual
Nv that she noted it without any as
constituent but when. gaining in vol
ume. IT became recognizable as the
sustained growl of a mOtorcar rapidly
climbing the mountain road, she began
to tremble.
/ The car swept swiftly across the far
/ side of the clearing. swung into the
/ drive that led to the garage. and dis
appeared. The throbbing of its motor
was stiIled. Impatient footsteps sound
! ed on the gravel walk.
Her body was vibrating now like a
reed Almost the impulse was more
strong than her will. TO fly back to
her bedchamber. lock herself in. refuse
to see or speak TO him . S.
How could she face him and tell
| him the truth? How break his heart
And not his alone 49,.
Running up the steps TO the verandh
he saw her waiting in the shadows
and cried ont to her in the name Of
I.eonora. She could not reply. Men
raj rehearsal Of what her attitude al
this meeting should be proved value
less. She had meant TO guard against
his arms with respect. an authority,
which must command respect and win
her time enough to tell him; she was
captive and powerless before she
could lift a hand or articulate one
syllable of protest. The passion of
his kisses. the murmuring of his voice
were overpowering. The quickened tn.
multi Of her pulses was like the storm.
ing of strong surf. She loved
him
Stunned. GREATNESS. quivering. hn-
inflated, she found that she had some
how tontrived to put him from her
The panied perplexity In his gaze cui
like knife. She turned aside. that
,h< tObf
Forgive me-" he begged. II have
been inconsiderate. thoughtless. in the
JOY of having you restored to me
Forgive"
'There is nothing to forgive" she
Interrupted. you've done nothing
that wasn't right and natural. Only -.
4 Oh ! How can make you understand
He gave helpless gesture. TELL
me what you wish me to understand.
| will try. ] love you so :"
Touched, she sought to smile kindly
through her tears. "Give me mo-
ment," she pleaded tremulous hands
busy with the disarray Of her hair
give me little time. Mario"
lHt LntlIOW DOolHllie vi a h"pN'N'
gong sounded Mario turned impa-
tiently. Bowling and smiling. the Jap
anese boy stood In the entrance to the
dining room.
Dinner is served"
By a resoiute effort she succeeded
In composing face and manner. Mario
maintained an inquirIng attitude, def
} erential. puzzled. hurt. Somehow she
mustered a smile that only mystified
J him the more.
do something for me, Mario :
you know you need but ask"
let us have dinner. think-fm
sure I'm hungry. And let us not tax
during dinner; let's pretend nothing
has happened. Afterward, promise
you :"
"But it shall be as you wlsh-of
courser'