Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-12-13

antics until she discovered Dick and a
young cousin tobogganning down the old
oak staircase ON the beautifully polished
trays that We're the 10Y of the buffers
heart, the old man, nearly frantic, beg
ging them in vain to desist. After that
tobogganning ceased to be an amuse-
ment.
Gayest of the gay was Mamie Wilkin-
son. With her quick wit and ready
tongue she was the leader in everything
and when she suggested that they should
get up a little play to be acted on New
Years Eve, instead of having Just i'm
promptu charades, the idea was received
with reclamation. All the party, with
the exception of Sir John, Lady Mus
grave and Lord Ennesdale who refused
to have anything to do with it, were
cialnoroUs 10 act.
Animated were the discussions, and
many the arguments, before it could be
arranged what play they should have.
However at last, they fixed on q SIM
pie modern piece, requiring little in the
way OF scenery and decorations, and leav-
ing good deal OF scope for pretty
dresses.
1t being discovered that Willie Fenwiek
and Mamie were the only two who had
ever acted before, they were appointed
respectively stage manager and heroine,
rather to the formers disgust He had
had visions of resering the hero's part
Tor himself. but as he could not do both.
he reluctantly gave the latter up to
young Gerald Anstruther, who was de
lighted at the idea of playing the hero,
with Miss Wilkinson as heroine The
arranging of the costumes nearly drove
the stage manager frantic, as each per-
former seemed to have a pet property"
that he or she wished to wear, regardless
as to whether it suited his or her part
or not.
Dick refused to have anything to do
with the affair unless he was allowed to
wear n mustache. Another youth pos
sessed a sword and plumed hat, from
which he declined to be separated; so,
as some tableauX were to follow the play,
he was given the part of the Master of
Ravenswood.
A young damsel, the proud possessor
of fair hair reaching to her knees, an
nounced her intention of wearing it flow
ing down her back and no representa-
tons on the part of the stage manager.
that young ladies do not appear in mod
ern society in that guise, had the slight
est effect on her.
What in the world shall l do, Miss
Wilkinson?" he asked in despair
ooh! make her into a tableau of Fair
Rosamond, and give her part to Edie
Musgrave"
But we shall have scores of tableaux
at this rate!"
Never mind; it amuses them, and
peases the audience"
At last the characters were all as
signed, and the costumes arranged,
though young Fenwick declared that it
had added several years to his age.
Then the old house became the scene
of whisperings and mutterings, or strid-
ings and stampings; men and girls were
seen stalking about, waving their arms
and talking to themselves. The moment
skating stopped, rehearsing began, and
on all sides We're heard such phrases as
do see if | know this" oh | shall
never learn this horrid long speech /"
Mind you don't forget your cue!" and
so on.
Sir John declared that he was afraid
to go into any room but his own den, as
he was sure to find young man on his
knees, or a girl apparently dissolved in
tears. On finding his daughter in the
picture gallery, wildly imploring young
man mot to leave her, or her heart would
break" he was inclined to turn rusty.
But it somehow relieved his mind when
she continued. in tart accents-"Now,
Capt. Morris, do try to look little bit
sorry, when you are supposed to be leav-
ing the girl of your heart for years!"
It's such bore remembering all these
long speeches" Capt. Morris returned 81
don't believe any chap would yarn along
like that if he were really cut up.
Mayn't / have cigarette now?" Sir
John withdrew, chuckling, to his own
quarters.
Mamie skated, danced and rehearsed
indefatigably, wore all her prettiest and
daintiest dresses, and did not appear to
have a care i'll the world. Yet she would
have given all she possessed to know if
Ralph still loved her. But he was as
impenetrable as the Sphinx He with
drew himself, on the plea of not being
strong, from all the hustle and excite
ment, and took long, solitary walks, or
sat and smoked with Sir John in his den
And Mamie, with a sinking heart, be-
gan to think that his affection for her
had only been passing fancy, which her
bitter words had destroyed.
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.