Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-03-22

thing to conceal, and a strong, aggres-
sive chin.
To return now to the brave captain,
whom we left in his chambers, staring
wildly Mt the morning paper. He has
nad time by now TO seize his hat and
dash madly down the street He is after
his man, the bearer of that letter. The
cause of his agitation is what he saw in
the morning paper. He had not stopped
to read ala few fragmentary sentences
had sufliced: Collapse of the great cleo
trio airship-trial trip at Washington
heights Yesterday afternoon-steering-
gear breaks-ship collides with steeple
of First M. Il. church-Prof Schnitzwas-
ser crashes through roof into the organ
loft--machlne continues to butt against
the stone tower of the church until it
falls to the ground a tangled mass of
wreckage."
The captain stopped to read no more.
not even to see whether Schnitzwasser
was alive or dead-what did it matter?-
the alrshIp was n ruin. He must catch
his man jenkins and get that letter be-
fore it was everlastingly too late.
As he ran he seemed to hear fragments
of the ships dynamOs crashing about his
ears. and the tumbling of the stock of
the r. A. 5. falling to rock bottom
with Il thud. Four blocks away he caught
sight of his man Jenkins coming out of
cigar store-delayed to gossip. thank
fortune!- The captain shouted-.Ienkins
quicaened his pace and turned the cor
ner. Jenkins was running-had heard,
of course-feared Ieprimand. The cap
tain caught him at Miss Lanisdale's door
but he was coming out.
where's that letter." gasped the cap
tain.
81 gave it to the maid sir, said fright
ened Jenkins.
The captain CALCULATED tremendous
oath and jerked the bell. The maid APP
peared. emnty handed. He heard the
sound of Miss Ianisdale's voice singing
gaily within. Forgetting his exquisite
manners, he pushed past the maid and
stood before the drawing door. Con
stance, holding the unopened letter.
looked up and smiled brightly. She had
heard nothing, then. How fortune fav-
ors the daring!
morning So glad to see you so WE'LL.
he painted. Pardon my haste, but the
fact is
All. brave and willy captain, your sec
ond blunder! So intent had you been
on intercepting that letter that during
your mad rush YOU gave no thought to
what YOU were going to say.
''Be seated. captain" said Constance;
you are quite out of breath. | have
Just received a letter. shall read it, il
YOU will pardon me, while you rest n
moment"
NO. not was of that came to
speak-that letter. 1t is from me;
would like it, if you please-I would ike
it back"
what. before have read itr'-her
eyes were dancing with mirth-"and
whyg
Because stupid, the carelessly
graceful phrase would have been at your
tongues end had you taken one moments
thought "becauSe-it is mere trife."
"A tritie light as air, perhaps?'
The captain shot swift glance at
her, and was satisfied that no meaning
lay behind the comparison.
But this is no such light NATTER" con-
tinued Constance. Upon my word. the
man has been running! Now, captain.
my woman's curiosity is all aflame."
She held the letter in both hands.
What is in it%'
The captain was gradually recovering
his breath and his self-control. He
laughed lightly. Nothing, Miss Con
stance, | assure you, beyond slight mis-
take"
"A mistake? An. / see-you have mis-
spelled a word She laughed gleefully.
Now l shall be even with Won for the
line from 'Richelieu' that | thought was
Shakespeare 's-about which you joked
me SO mercilessly."
No. it was just this. 1t seemed such
a beautiful, day, | wrote asking Won 10
take sail. Then the wind changed"
'Ah, hope constancy in wind'-and so
you fastened to tell me about the wiud?"
And | noticed n cloud"
A little cloud out of the sea, like
mans hand'F"
How apt you are at quotations to
dayl No. it vas rather a large cloud"
And its shape-was it that of a
weasel, a camel. or whale?'
Neither" he said, reddening: and
then added brazenly, 1T was more ike
church steeple.'
a church Steeple,-ah. that should
bring luck. | think l should rather like
a sail today, despite the possible antics
of the wind and the threatening church
steeple."
Il shall be glad to brave any danger
in your service. Only, thought it right
to warn you.'
Thanks for the timely warning, but
now that we have decided to go / must
get ready. Will you excuse me? | shall be