Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-01-19
BIRDS"

at the Hurst, and since the death of her
husband Mrs. March had gone ont so in
frequently that her visitors had dwindled
down to three Cecil Pellow came almost
daily He was tine only son of Sir Her
bert Pellow, and the richest young man
in the neghborhood. Then there was
Miss Helen Wray, a district risitor and
an inyeterate gossip. Lastly, there was
Col. Marion, vino had been a great friend
of Mr.. March's, and who called every
Wednesday afternoon with the regularity
of rent collector.
Although Cecil and Eva were not for
mally engaged it was practically under
stood that such was the case. Sir Her
bert placed ne limit to his sons freedom
of action beyond expressing diSapprOval
of early marriages; and Mrs March felt
that the loss of Eva, at least for a few
years, would he more than She as Il lone
~ widow, could bear. Cecil was % and
Eva not yet 10, so there appeared to be
no need for ha tie.
Colonel, want your advice" said
Mrs. March one Wednesday afternoon.
Miss Wray been at you again.
"She has, ard frankly there is reason
in what she says.
FIRST time" says the colonel, tartly.
"Well, it seems that Cecil is much at
tractcd by the daughter of the man who
has just taken the Golden Dragon in the
village. OF course until he has spoken
plainly to Eva | have no authority to in
terfere, but | am afraid that he may feel
So sure of his position with her tina. he
may not hesitate towel. to promote
Irritation with this new arrival, to the
diScrcdit of MS all"
What then do you wish?"
want him to make Il formal propo
why not ask his intentions?"
nf n off
ton for him He may not really have it
in his mind to marry"
You mean a direct inquiry may drive
him into the enemy's camp"
You put it very plainly said Mrs.
March, but that is what | mean"
Pity there is no other young man you
could play against him. Once let him see
that Eva may become anotherS and
shake his self-confdence the thing would
be DONE
But Eva is too genuine to lend herself
TO any theatrical subterfuge of that kind,
even if a rival could be found
Not a bit of it" said the colonel. IF
she loves him and sees him going adrift
she viii do as her moth-I mean as any
woman would under the circumstances.
Any sort of rival would do. then?
Why, yoa, even, might play the part
The colonel stroked his mustache and
smiled. He had been an admirer of Mrs.
March for Il number of years, but like
Cecil had heeu content to let the time
pass without expressing himself clearly.
lie smiled again more pleasantly rs an
other thought occurred to him, Two
birds with one stone, my Jovc.' he muir
INJURED to himself; then aloud, II am more
than willing to make love to Eva, Mrs
March, if she will permit it from nm old
f0gy such as | am. The only thing to be
feared is that Cecil may treat my rivalry
as Jest, and thin!! me an elderly idiot
unworthy of notice"
Seriously, colonel, ! think an attack
Of jealously would bring Cecil to the
point ana ii not the Lack of it would
convince Eva that her young love is
wasted. You may have to hear some re-
marks from outsiders. hut there are few
young men who could face your rivalry
without a qualm.'
The colonel bowed.
Il vii take my share in the plot most
gladly. but | must make one condition,
and that is that you say nothing of II to
Eva. 1t may perhaps be AS wen To let
her believe me in sober earnest
Mrs March looked at her old friend
steadily for few seconds. 1t crossed
her mind that it was just possible the
colonel might be foolish enough to love
her daughter. But she dismissed the
thought as an ahsurdity.
II agree" she said. and as Eya'S foot
step was heard approaching, "thc play
begins, sue Huucu.
Eva, | have been speaking to your
mother about matter which concerns
Your welfare and my own. Tell me, dear
do seem to you to be Il very old man.
said the colonel
"N-no." said Eva. regarding him crit
ically. Il don't think You are. |
seem to have known you all my
life, Just as | have Cecil | feel
sometimes as if l had grown past him
he Stems - hoyiSh, hut YOU always TN,
dcrStand me dol't yout" she replied.
rather inconscqucntiy, her mother
| thought.
Il think So he answered, gently, and
| there was so much meaning in the tone
! that Mrs. March looked mp quickly with
suspicion in her glance. Eva frightened
considerably during the meal for the
! colonel surpassed himself and aSton>hcd
Mrs. March by his sudden access Of
| Youthful vigor and chcerfuncSs.
For two or three weeks the colonel
made a point of visiting the Hurst daily.
and Eva had most enjoyable lime. for
/ he took her for rides and drives. 10 piu-
/ mes and concerts, shows, sports and
! races. Just at first Cecil was too h9i
tempered 10 interfere, hut enc day he Inr.
the colonel going mp to the house ana
noted with strong diSappyOval his Spui,r's
faultesS attire, his Springy stem. rnrN,r
| muSiache ANA general holiday air
III" huug about the house until H. sso
IVA and the colonel appear i'm llr ,9r,la,,
ana watched. INV
Obviously the pair were lovers A
QhSuSpcruh& they tfud the garden paihs
hrSt hand ~ hand. as th.y rsarI.l n
IoFh 10y tar >hroaaNry which hid .Arll
hEl I5t". C'Gi saw tuc ,uloucrs ara
ABOUT ty4 .hrl'@} waist Furious With
{hem Ooia h" walked quickly to fhn
house. ANA aS h. ssyoda r1ni,ih ,,u ~,
dcINe ne noticed Mrs. March riSi,t. rr,,,,