Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-12-20

Ralph, his heart beating like a school
boys, softly turned the handle and en-
tered.
Mamie had put on a soft yellow silk
teagown, trimmed with filmy lace. But
with her dusky curls all ruffled up by tie
sofa cushions, she looked such a dainty
little thing that Ralph felt strongly
tempted to take her straight into his
arms.
But, remembering his former fasco, he
restrained himself, and standing with his
back to the fire, asked where his aunt
and cousin were.
They went to call on the Dacres. but
| didn't go. 1t is such long drive, and
l had a headache"
"Oh, ah! Yes, of course! Your bad
news. / was sorry to hear it-at least.
l mean. it is very sad for YOU. 1t must
be horrid Jolt. Those oil springs are
tricky things; worse than South African
mines"
He stumbled along. scarcely knowing
what he was saying, until his self pos
session was entirely routed b, the sight
OF tear stealing down her pale cheek.
With one stride he was on the sofa by
her side, holding on to the back with a
tight grip, as he bent over her.
For heavens sake, don't cry. Mamie
i mean, Miss Wilkinson. Never mind
about the money! I've got plenty for
BOTH l mean-ah! by Jove!-what a
mess I'm making of it, Look here, darl-
ing" He was growing desperate. and his
arm slipped from the back of the sofa
to her waist Il am making nearly as
bad business of it as did before. But
you know now that l love you. don't
YOU? More than life itself! / don't care
a rap for your lost fortune. Won't Won
marry me? At any rate it would be
| better than earning your living. 1t
| makes me sick to think of You doing
that. Can't you care for me bit, little
| one?''
He bent to look into her face, but she.
turning with sob, hid it ngainst his
shoulder.
Mamie" he whispered, you do care
a little?"
But she shook her head; then as Ralph
gave a disappointed sigh, she raised
| quivering little face to his.
| Not a little, you simple fellow, but
| with my whole heart Ever since my
wicked tongue sent you away" The
rest of her speech was lost, but after a
time she went on-"Ralph, thought you
would never forgive me. You said you
would never ask me again"
| circumstances alter cases! You are
not the rich Miss Wilkinson now
| As he said this her face changed, and
she suddenly got up and walked to the
! fireplace
"What is it, dear? You surely are not
worrying about that?" said Ennesdale,
putting his arm round her.
| Mamie looked at him earnestly.
Ralph, do you really and truly love me,
and want me to be your wifeg''
Il love You more than l can tell YOU,
and will thank God the day l marry
YOU"
"Thcn we are engaged, and you can't
get out of it 70
Certainly 1 can't, without the risk of
your running me in for breach of prom
ise," he laughed
well, then, if you are quite sure you
can't retract, / have confession to
| make. Don't take your arm away. | am
| frightened; but must tell you some
| thing"
'Well, out with it; Pm not in very
| stern mood" smiling
I've deceived YOU"
! Ralph turned white.
you mean you've been playing with
me, and don't care for me. after all ?"
''No, mol Not that" she said passion
ately. And putting her arms round his
neck, she went On-~You must believe
me, love you with my whole heart"
Then l don't mind about anything
else. Confess your white lie, you wicked
| child, at once''
1T isn't a white one; it is great, big,
tad, black one. Well, you know-what
[ said this morning is not true. The oil
spring has not stopped; father has not
lost his money; and I'm not going to be
school teacher"
What! you made it all up?"
''Yes. Now, don't take your arm
away. You see, you wouldn't make
friends because of my horrid dollars.
And did love yOn SO, and thought /
should never see you again if | went
homeland Ralph, you are not
very angry, are your" She stopped, half
laughing, half crying.
Ennesdalc stared at her, bewildered.
for a moment. But he could not resist
the witchery of her dancing eyes. Catch
ing her i'll his arms, he kissed her heart
lily. "What a funny little darling you
are! Let's sit down. Now tell me all
about it. Do you mean to say that you
narrowed up our feelings this morning all
for nothing?"
Mamie gave a little nod.
"Oh! but you don't know what fright
] was in when had said it. Lady Mus
grave and Edic were so sweet to me, that
I felt perfectly awful. l nearly con-
fcssed, and then didn't dare. thought
they would be so disappointed in me. l
had almost made up my mind to run
away, and then write and tell them"
Pm glad you didn't. / should have
had to run after you. Didn't you ever
learn the hymn, oh! what tangled web
we weave, When first we practice to de-
ceive" eh, young woman"
81 shall never try it again. wasn't
meant for a conspirator. Do you thi.sk
they will ever forgive me?" i.
81 think they will be so glad it isn't
true, and that you are going to live at
Dale Head-well. you are, YOU know
that they will not be very irate Fancy
you being such little schemer!"
Don't, please, say that I'm not. real