Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-10-06
CHAPTER X
The AbysmaI Depths.


Molly did not see Bowyer for two
months after Kitty's departure. His
next visit was as unexpected as all OF
his. It was in the afternoon, and the
girl came back from walk along the
shore to see him seated In the store,
sleek, red, and self-satisfied, and her
father standing beside him, with that
look of awful fear on his face. She
had a momentary impression as II the
factor stood up like well man; but.
as she entered, the right leg went
dragging under him, and the arm fell
limp at his side.
"How dye do, Miss McDonald1'
called Bowyer. II just dropped In to
have chat with the factor in passing.
Big things happening here, Ell? The
Missatbi's mighty slow In crossing
Big Muskeg."
Molly famed at the insult to Wilton.
She looked at her father, and the ex-
preston on his face went to her heart.
She turned swiftly to Bower.
81 don't want you to come here
again." she said.
He started up. spluttering. ave don't
want you," she continued. "And we
won't be prosecuted by you. There's
law In this country"
He burst into mocking laughter.
"You never spoke truer word, Miss
McDonald!" he cried. II came here
as friend"
"You can 60 as an enemyw she re-
torted. "And you can 60 now. And
remember-there are men about here
who can use a whip!"
He glared at her. but went without
a word, and Molly ran to the factor.
Hes torturing you'll" she sobbed. Il
don't know what his power over you
is. but he mustn't come here. again -
A few days later Bowysr went in to
Clayton and. by chance, his visit coin
cided with Wilton's.
When Wilton left her house, Kitty
sank down into chair, clasping and
unclasping her fingers nervously. The
first time when Wilton had repulsed
her. she had been too Inundated and
conscience-stricken to bear him resent
ment. Her visit to Molly had been q
sudden evil impulse, which, when done,
she had attempted to justify.
She had, Of course, succeeded.
Gradually she had begun to look upon
herself as a deeply wronged woman
When q woman loves, love is It's own
justification for acts done in it's name.
On the second occasion Of her adj
vances to Wilton she saw by instinct
that she had almost conquered. She
saw, too, that, having lost, she had
lost forever She might win Wilton
yet, but never in that way.
Now she would go to any lengths
to GUST Molly. Molly had never writ
ten to her since her departure, and she
did not even know If her scheme had
succeeded in estranging her from vii
ton. But she inferred success from
Wilton's bearing. He had not looked
like successful lover.
Bitterly she reflected on her mar
riage with Joe. She had never loved
Joe, but neither had she hated him
She had loved Wilton. and. bound by
tradition and social circumstances, she
had concealed it. Then-Joe had died
Everything had seemed possible. And
Wilton had engaged himself to an
other-to her best friend. Kitty was
not q bad woman, but she meant t.,
fight for her own. She would win VIII
ton, cost what 1t might.
When, therefore, late on the day af-
ter he had called on her, the maid an
nounced Tom Bowyer, who had never
been in her house before, she sent
down word that she would receive
him.
Neither Wilton nor Bowyer was
aware that the other was in Clayton
when Bowyer called, nor did they
meet.
Kitty came downstairs, to find
Bowyer standing in the parlor, twirl-
ing his hat in his hands. There was
a singularly vulpine look on the red
face. For an instant Kitty shuddered
inwardly. Her passion for Wilton was
taking her into unrelished companion
ships.
She asked him to sit down. "Tm
pleased to see you, Mr.. Bowyer," she
said. "It was very good of you to
CALL"
Bowyer uttered a short laugh. SIN
not calling man, Mrs. Bostock," he
said, "and the ladies don't like me-
They know too much about me-"
That's very poor taste on their
part" said Kitty.