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


arms properly, and Mamie, with quak
ing heart. but smiling face, held her hand
out to Ralph His blue eyes had a steelv
CLEAN in them as he bowed and said
i am afraid my arm is still too weak
to bear the strain, Miss Wilkinson"
Her face quivered at the rejection Of
her flag of truce, but she made no re-
mark.
Il thought you said you could sing it,"
observed the obtuse young Fenwick,
when he had shouted every verse to his
own satisfaction.
$50 / cam answered Mamie. but I'm
very tired, and have a headache / think
it must be bedtime Yes, there is Lady
Musgrave saying goodby to them all"
But we 90 back to the dining room
now, and have hot punch"
II shall not. for one. [ am going 10
bed and whispering few words to
Edie, Mamie stole away
Christmas morning broke bright and
sunny-a very ideal winters day. 4
happy-lookng party assembled round the
breakfast table at Scar Foot. the young
folk chattering eXcitedly over the Christ
mas presents heaped beside each plate.
The Musgraves had only three children
John, the heir, now in India with his
regiment; Edith and Dick; but Scar Foot
served as home to several orphan neph-
ews and nieces. Consequently the old
place was generally crowded to overflow
ing at Christmas. The Musgraves were
possessed with the true spirit of hospi-
tality, and never dreamed of Directing to
their party being so much increased
Their maxim was, The more, the mer-
rier"
1t was interesting and rather touching.
to the young American to see the hearty
friendliness between the Squire's family
and the villagers as the NIusgraycs
passed through on their way to the little
weather beaten old church There was
neither patronage on the one hand nor
servility on the other but sturdy indie
pendence and hearty good
Outside the church, friends and neigh
boris greeted each other with the dear old
Merry Christmas to you!" which the
English ear so sorely misses in foreign
countries.
you have a very ecstatic look about
you, Miss Wilkinson" said Dick, as he
linked his arm round hers.
"Oh, Dick, it's perfectly lovely! 1t is
like a story book. l never imagined any
thing so nice Just look at those dear
old women in red cloaks! They are ac-
tually curtseying."
You must excuse the poor old things.
They have been so long accustomed to
come to the mother in all their woes, to
be doctored and comforted, that [ really
believe they wouldn't believe you if you
told them they are down trodden victims
OF a bloated aristocracy!"
Don't be a goose But tell me what
else we are going to do today that is
picturesque"
''Well--there's lunch"
'sWretched boy!''
1T is all very well to talk to me like
that, but you wouldn't like to 90 with
out lunch Well, then, would you care
to 90 down with me this afternoon to the
keepers cottage to see my ferrets?''
Il loathe ferrets!''
There's no pleasing girls! You'd bet
ter 90 and help mother and Edie to deal
out flannel petticoats 70 the old women
and dolls to the children"
Yes, should like to see that"
"Then there's tea"
Greedy fellow!"
"And. later on, dinner Eating is the
chief feature of a British Christmas, and
a very good feature too. [ don't care
much for turkey myself, but let me tell
you that the governors special, prime,
homefed beef is not to be despised."
Here Dick, seeing the vengeance in
Maimie's eyes, fled precipitately, holly
pursued by his indignant friend
Lord Ennesdale, following slowly with
his aunt, watched the two flying figures
with rather wistful eyes.
"Aunt Bessie, don't you think that
Miss Wilkinson is a good deal altered?
She is so thin and white, and so plainly
dressed. She used to be very much given
to gorgeous clothing"
eyes, she seems to have taken a great
dislike to expensive things, and doesn't
care for people to know that she is so
rich. | suppose she has been greatly
worried by fortune-hunters. poor child"
But she is a very ambitious little
person, isn't she? Wants to marry
duke or a foreign prince"
what Mamie? My dear boy. where
did you get that idea? was just think
ing that she seemed inclined to take Viii
lie Fenwick."
THAT muff!'
Gle is really not so bad. and is certain
~ very devoted to her. That is why
asked him here for Christmas HIS peO-
pie are wintering in Florence. and he said
he did not want to 20 all that distance
Tor only fortnight"
Ralph made no reply, but he did not
look as if be relished the IDEA. In fact.
he seemed to find the world rather out of
Joint. After lunch. the merriment of the
young folks jarrirg on his nerves in their
rather weak state, he went OF for a long
solitary walk.
The short winters day was drawing to
q close when he came back, and turning
aside from the sound OF music in the
drawing room, entered his aunt's boudoir.
1t was almost in darkness, and it was
not until he approached the fireplace that
he noticed Miss Wilkinson's little figure
nearly buried in big velvet chair.
Il beg your pardon!" he said. Il am
afraid / have disturbed you; but l had
no idea there was anyone here"
1T doesn't in the least matter. I came
IN here because ! have rather headache.
They are singing carols in the drawing
room Hark!"