Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-08-23
HIS. CANFIEID

by some one. He Was a handsome fel>
low, and is no doubt responsible for
Dozen broken hearts among the Mexican
bellies along the river
Now, Maude had planned this attack
while nursing his bruise, but he had mis-
taken utterly the temper of the woman
with whom he had to deal. With one side
OF her manyfaced character he was IN
acquainted and this was her sense of hui
NOR. His clumsy attempt to terrorize
struck her as distinctly funny, and, be-
cause he 10 ed her and she knew that he
loved her. the game was in her hands.
SO she locked at him with every appear
'anee OF earnestness and said:
Il know nothing of Mr.. Westons ,topo-
graphical knowledge, or of the manner in
/ which he obtainei possession of his
weapon. but certainly he was the most
beautiful man / have ever known, with a
most beautiful voice and beautiful man
ners. Reckless he was, but am sure he
was not dishonest and he had u splendid
strength and courage. | came within an
ace of falling in love with him myself and
am not sure that if he asked me |
would not have shared his flight to the
nearest Mexican parsonage aud be now
L
more than | can say"
Maude looked at her placid face, then
marked a lurking devil of laughter in her
reddish hazel eyes and muttered a curse.
He saw that he was losing ground rapidly
| and changed front:
"Of course, Miss English" he said east
ly and genially, she made his escape I'M
aided. 1t was easy enough. Indeed if.
unfortunately for me, l had not been in
his way, his progress to freedom and
thievery would have been undelayed."
YES she said. News of the fight
was sent to Fort Clark next day. Did
you hear what Capt. Harding said?"
No" Maude replied incautiously,
what did he say?'
He said: Good enough! Next time /
meet him l kepe he will be hurt in fair
fight
The ex-cavalryman, without another
word, wheeled and left her. She looked
latter him musingly, with a dash of tri
umph in her face. She knew that now
he was even more willing to work her
harm, but she cared nothing. Her heart
was sore and, womanlike, she enjoyed
! making some one pay for it. The week
which had passed since the flight of her
lover had seemed a month in length To
| her. She found herself thinking of him
every waking moment, picturing to her
self his face, his voice, his pose, his gest-
ure, and now and then a wave of Grim
son stole to her cheeks as a memory of
his caress came to her. Work in the
schoolroom seemed intolerable in its irk-
someness; the prattle at meal times the
most inane drivel possible to endure
Even Allyn was hateful in her sight and
she avoided him when possible. Indeed,
her lengthy passage at arms with Maude
was not of her seeking. He had met her
as she was returning from a stroll, met
her at some distance from the house and
ranged alongside her in his usual assured
manner. To show how very much in love
she was it Is necessary to mention only
that she had visited Weston's room on
the morning after his fight hoping to
find some token of him. 1t had been
pretty narrowly searched by the excited
males, but in one corner, under a pile of
old magazines she had lent to him, she
found a single spur. 1t was not an at
tractive object, dulled from use and rust
ed from the river, but it was now locked
in her escritoire along with her most pre-
cious and secret belongings. She had
held il in her hands often and thought of
the wild night rides upon which it had
been, and shuddered at the perils which
had encompassed him, and prayed fever
ishIy for his return. Indeed, it would
have needed only his tones and presence
to persuade her to go with him, whether
he had mended his. somewhat Grant WAYS
or not. To such a pass had strong,
proud. reserved cold maiden come.
She wanted to be alone and. as all
things were at cross purposes, it seemed
htting that Allyn should meet her be-
fore she reached the house and stop her
with unaccustomed decision
II want to talk to you, Miss English
Lois. he SAID. Il think YOU have avoided
me of late Why"
Il have not been we'll" she answered,
failing in the suddenness of his attack to
20 better than c0njuue up Il woman,s
stereotyped excuse.
Even if that We're so-and you never |
laoked better IN your life am sure--am |
/ got still your hrGther?"
A look of pain in his frank hoyish face
touched her aud she held out her hand |
Forgive me" she said, but indeed am !
out of sorts and not the best of com. !
pany.'
''Yon are in trouble. fear"
NO, am merely at outs with myself. !
It viii pass"
Can ! not help your
1T is nothing SO serious AZ to need help. !
Women must have their humors. YOU /
know, Mr.. Allyn"
Damn it! 1 do know he responded |
bitterly. "You are having one now. You /
have had one for a week Something has /
gone wrong with you; ] know il: feel 1t. /
am your brother; yOu told me 50 your
self; and you viii not let me help"
He was so honest, so kindly, so openly |
ana unseiGsbiy devoted to her so anxious /
to be regarded as her next of kin, so un-
feignedly hurt by her avoidance of him,
the thought came TO her that here was
cue upon whom she might rely for help. /
She felt years older than he; indeed. he
had stood to her always as a daring
healthful, generous boy. She was impul-
sive and she turned TO him with both
hands outstretched:
Il am in trouble, Mr. Allyn Help