Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-11-09
CHAPTER X


In the night, in that hour Of self
reproach which comes to us all. Virgil
awoke in rage with himself. He had
been dreaming, had seen himself infirm
of purpose. without character. Back
to Highland Bruce he traced his an
cestry. and was he to be the first of
his race to prove degenerate. to tram
pie upon the memory of his father. to
loll in stupid love, to give his soul to
creature far beneath him in birth
and schooling, girl whose father had
murdered! Out of bed he got, and
bowed with the weight of shame
walked the uneven floor, for his slow
steps were doddering.
Caught in an instant, fly in a
speck of jelly and have never been
able to get Free" he reproached him
self. "Even Liberty Shottle, the slave
OF cards and dice, can see my weak
ness and must laugh at me. But by
the God in Heaven 1t shall not be- In
this land there Is no law. / bring my
own law with me, my OATH and a smile
and a word of fiattering love babe me
put 1t aside, and let it slip from me.
Now must redeem myself"
He stood ut the window. Gamecocks
were Growing the dawn, courageous
challenge to all the world. No, there
would be no weakening now. The
swedish comedy had been played.
Swiftly he dressed himself stole
downstairs, out Of the house, down to
the river. There was no boat, but no
matter, he would walk to Willow Head.
Realizing that it was yet too early for
the execution Of his grim purpose, he
halted at wayside place. ate break
fast and waited for the sun. Then not
In furried haste, but deliberate In
strength, he walked on to Willow
Head, crossed over, found his neglected
rope where, in a hollow stump in
backsliding weakness he had hidden it,
buttoned it beneath his coat and strobe
down into the swamp.
1t was a long way to his canoe near
the Muscadine isle, and then a long
pull to Periwinlxle house. but there
was time enough. Stepho would not
go away no more, for now on Tuesday
he must settle with the spirit of Alfred
BRACE.
Mists lowered about, but the island
yuoc in a bloua Of Ifrht C;Inp@lxy ho
canoe slit the satin water. Silently
he landed Determined vengeance may
pick its way as softly as eager love
and in the cane, sharper of whisper
now that the weather was cool, he
made not sound. Out into the open
he peered. No one within sight. On
the bark of the live oak were the dead
flowers of yesterday. There in the
shade was the box that had served as
table, once so prettily strewn with
violets.
In spite of his VOW of vengeance and
his hatred of Stepho, these things
caught at Braces heart, shook his
fixed purpose of action. For many
minutes he waited-no sign of Stepho,
of anyone And then his blood leaped;
for soft hands suddenly blinded him
from behind, soft laughter dubbed
over at his establishment. And dark
thoughts and dark purposes fled on
the wind as he caught Nadine md
Rugged her close
"Now for your punishment J" And
he kissed her.
''Oh, you must not again
Virgil, cannot like you when you are
rude. You must notp'
~ don't want you just to like me-"
"You do not?, Then viii try not to.
Come and sit down, Virgil.
You worked so hard for your kisses
you must be tired. How did
sou guess?"
Guess whatf" he asked as she led
him to the sofa and he sat gazing en-
tranced as she captured and impris-
oned her guerrilla bands of hair.
''That Father and Tony had gone
hunting today. But they Iaay be back
at any time, Virgil. You must not
stay"
'But must stay; you hold me pris-
oner. I must stay until you love me
as madly as do you"
"As madly as you do me? That
might not be so much mad, Virgil.
But why should love your"
Because you are to be my wife. We
are engaged"
"Are we? / did not know that
Why you not tell me soonerf
81 did, and now you must know it.
"But I did not. Then ] must be
stupid, yes?"
"The whole universe Is stupid II II
denies II. The angels are stupid II