Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-03-21
A MADCAP MARRIAGE.
CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)

agreeable as possible. he SAID to his wife
Remember, it is not every day one has a
millionaire in his house, and there is nc
telling what he may not do if we please
him. He knows all about the rigging
of the kaffir market, and may give me
one or two good tips, and he may even
invite us to his mansion in Park Lane,
where we should meet some OF the big
gest men in the city. ] am not very old
yet, Mrs. Perks, and may yet live to see
YOU Mrs. Councillor or even Lady Mayor
ess-who knows? Then there is Miss
JefFries-if she didn't always look so sol
emn she'd he really a pretty gal. You
just liven yourself up tomorrow, my
dear, and see if you cannot prevail on
Myers to part with some of his diamonds.
If you didn't want them yourself, |
might purchase them off you at fair
price"
Minnie flushed crimson with indigna-
ton, and felt inclined TO rise at once
from the table and leave the room, but
she knew if she diu so it would mean
instant dismissal, and where could she
60 in this weary wilderness of London
without friends and without charae-
ter?
With fear and trepidation she waited
for the next day, and the advent of the
millionaire, who, although she had never
seen him, she already fancied held her
fate in his hands.
Mrs. Perks, who, to do her justice. was
quite aware of her own shortcomings in
the matter of good breeding, was glad
to have the company OF the ladyhke
young governess and soon after luncheon
sent word that Miss Jefrries was to hand
over the children to the care of the nurse
ond Sr.f,1 bpr in, no I7.u,K G
as possible
Dressing herself in light gray poplin,
the only evening dress she possessed, and
which she had purchased at the express
command of Mrs Perks some three or
four weeks after her arrival at Labur-
mum Lodge, when that lady was expect
ing a certain Weal.hy brewer and his wife
to dinner, Minnie made her way sadly
downstairs.
The lady of the house eyed her with
evident displeasurc.
care you aware that Christmas is only
just past, Miss Jeffries?" she demanded,
land yeC you appear in q dowdy dress
like that, i'll which to receive a gentleman
in the position of Mr., Meyers!"
Il have no other, Mrs. Perks replied
Minnie meekly.
Then you should have said so yes
terday, and / would have spoken to
Perks about it. At any rate, you can
put some lace round the neck, and col.
ored waistband and some flowers at your
breast and in your hair Good gracious
me, Miss Jeifries, do you dye? The roots
of your hair are quite light, whilst the
other part is black as night"
Minnie gave a guilty start.
Il had a great trouble some time ago, >
bn CT ,,,r7,pY.od 50 nd bni ohoY,
color then, and since / have had to use
dye, as no one would care to engage a
governess with gray hair,
We'll, 60 and rub some more Of that
stuff in, and be quick, and don't forget
the lace and the flowers. Blythe bye,
might lend you some Of my jiewelry, but
yet / don't think that would be right
either He might see it on me at another
time, and recognize it"
Feeling very sad and down trodden
Minnie repaired to her own room, and
after carefully brushing her hair with The
dye. tackled some cream lace into the
bosom and sleeves of her dress. She
then remembered a. piece Of crimson cord
ell silk in the bottom of one Of the draw
ers. and pressed it into her service as 6
belt some loops of baby ribbon of The
same color in the full folds of the lace
having quite an enlivening effect. Their
she went down to the conservatory anC
pl1cked several punches of geraniums
one of which she tucked into her belt
whilst with the Others she formed 6
wreath for her left shoulder.
All! that looks better." said Mrs
Perks, who was resplendent in gorgeou;
gown of heliotrope satin and guipure
''You look something like now, and. upoT
my I JCY't %h;1lr parl-E faI
wrong when he said that with a little
more life about you. you would make g
very pretty girl Will you play some
thing, Miss JefTries, please? Ny nerves
feel all upset. Let me see-what shall
you play? Oh, yes-that is it-then
tunes from T'lorry Dory.'"
Minnie, with a weary sigh, sat dowr
at the instruments veHtabie instru
ment of torture to her-and commenced
to play selection from ''Florodora,"
BEFORE she had finished the prelude
however, the sound OF wheels was hearC
outside then came the sound Of mems
footsteps and voices on the stairs, ant
the next instant Peter Perks entered tht
drawing room, followed by a little man
with bent shoulders, a hooked nose
piercing black eyes, large, aggressiy,
diamond shirt stud, and a heavy double
watch chain
This gentleman was presented with al
due formality to Mrs. Perks, but turned
abruptly from that lady, and, adjusting
his prince -nez, glared at the girl sitting
at the piano.
Your daughter-eh Perlss?" he said
giving that worthy a by no means gentl,
dig in the ribs. sly fellow, Perks, sly
as Turk. Did not tell me of all YOU
trcastTes-eh?"
This is Miss Alice JefTries, my girls
governess," he said coldly, for he wa.
smarting from the effects of the thrus
IN the ribs and the blow at his owl
amour propre in the insinuation that h,
was old enough to be the father Of {
young lady of the age of Miss Jeffries.
"oh!-delighted to make your ac
qualntance, my DEAR" said the little Jew
extending claw like hand, which Mimi,
aneeted not to see, contenting herself
with slight inclination of her head.