Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-11-22

myself nuisance, but 1 think my anne
wants you"
Ralph's voice was rs cool and UneoH
cerned as ever. but there was rather an
unpleasant look about his mouth.
The Russian bowed, and stepped hacl,
TO allow Mamie to pass. at the same
time casting a look at the Enghshman's
broad back that his intimates would
have recognized with a shudder.
why uIdn't you say No straight out
to the little brute?" said Ralph to
Mamie when they were out of earshot
OF the Russian.
Il don't know. 1 suppose it is very
feeble, but when he looks at me with
those queer eyes of his. | always feel as
ii | did not dare to offend him."
Il viii give him two lovely black
eyes if he doesn't take care" said Ralph
savagely.
Here ! am. Lady Musgrave,' Mamie
announced. Capt. Scrope said you
wanted me-
That was only strategem of war"
said Ralph, ito get you away from that
little Tartar, and l knew aunt would
want You soon. But, l say, aren't al
you people tired of this? Suppose we
santer up through the gardens and
wood, and have our ices and coffee in the
hotel garden?"
"A very good suggestion, Ralph. Then
! can get rid of these abominable patent
leathers,' and Sir John looked at his
boots with marked disfavor
They started at a leisurely pace
through the gardens, but Sir John )
yearning after his slippers made him
quicken his steps. His wife and Edith
dutifully kept up with him, hut the other
two gradually dropped into the rear
The air was filled with the fragrance
OF the lilac and syringa blossoms. and tie
nightingale's voice trilled from the neigh
boring thickct in perfect rapture of
melody. On they went, passing from
the gardens into the dimness of the sol
emn pine woods, eerie and mysterious in
the moonlight, with no sound but the
whispering of the breeze in the tree tops.
The two walked on silently. The ordi-
nary light badinage of their CONVERSE
tion seemed to have deserted them, and
Mamie began to feel vaguely embar
raised, wishing that the others would not
60 on SO quickly.
Hadn't we better walk faster? 2" size
suggested. The Musgraves are ever so
far ahead
There's no hurry. One doesn't often
get such a jolly night as this, and Ralph
again relapsed into silence At last, as
they were nearing the little gate that led
out of the wood, Mamie laughed nery-
ously.
You are not amusing this evening,
Capt. Scrope," she said.
"&n I 1orocoy. mot ,,nt
ing chap at the best of times, and to-
night want to say something to you,
but don't quite know how to begin"
That sounds rather dreadful" she
laughed DO YOU want to apologize for
tearing me away from Prince Michaelo-
vitch?"
Not much-the little brute!"
Don't abuse him-he's rather fond Of
me"
1--WE no doubt of it. and a good many
other fellows, too, but l don't want you
to have anything to do with them"
well, Capt. Scope, you certainly are
not shy. Why shouldn't have anything
to do with them?"
Zone of them might persuade you to
marry him."
and why shouldn't I? Do you wish
me to be num-"
mo, want you to marry mel"
Mamie uttered queer little sound be-
tween a gasp and a laugh, and then stood
looking at him curiously.
what do you meang"
Ralph put his back against the gate.
He was pale, and breathed quickly
Its rather a brutal way of putting
it," he answered, but I'm not great at
talking [ know I'm not good enough
for you. I'm not an attractive kind of
chap, but-wont you say 'Yes'?"
He stepped closer, and looked at her
anxiously.
Mamie shrank back, her little face
white, and her voice quivering, as she
asked
How long have you known me-"
Not very long. You knocked me over
at once. But what's the matter? You
are shaking all over, and he tried to take
her hand. But she shook him off, and
put her hand on the gate to steady her
self. She was trembling from head to
foot.
TO BE CONTINUED.