Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-08-22

started as if the ground had opened
at my feet. Alicia's voice; but where
was she?
WHATS the matter?'' I called.
Then | saw her. She was standing in
an opening of the hedge pushing back
was at an extraordinary angle, and her
frock was torn there were traces of
tears Oil her cheeks
l don't know why, but as soon as /
saw Alicia in this condition | made up
my mind that it was perfectly ridiculous
that we should have quarreled, and that
the first thing to be done was to restore
our former relations.
"Oh, is it you, Mr.. Dacre?" she said,
looking at me over the ditch. What
have you been doing?"
/ certainly did present a strange APP
pearance, almost disreputable one.
Bits of broken mushroom dropped from
me at intervals, and my coat was torn.
But for all that meant to carry the waHa
into the enemy's country.
IF you'll excuse my asking, what
have you been doing?" | asked. II am
sure something has happened. Let me
help you over the ditch
No, thank you; | can manage it by
myself." And she sprang over. But the
refusal was stiff, and ! felt | must pro-
coed with caution. When she had cleared
the ditch | saw she had something tied
up in her handkerchief in her hand.
ho"a Ah: 70 h / Observed Il see you have
ones in that field, are there not?"
Yes, and | hope | shall never see
them again. she replied. and, somewhat
10 my establishment. she threw the bundle
over the hedge. IF you knew what had
happened to me this morning you'd un-
derStand why. i just slipped through the
hedge to get them. | began with seeing
one in the bank here and while / was
out of sight some horrid creature came
along and stole my bicycle and here |
am, fifteen miles from nome and my
hats spoiled. and I've lost my machine,
and there will be such row when | get
back.' she concluded, with something like
sob.
Good gracious," l exclaimed eft
must have been the tramp! He certainly
went early
What tramp? never SAL me
I'll explain" And l did, at some
Alicia smiled, and my spirits rose.
We. are both sufferers from mush-
rooms, she said. But what are we to
do neXtE'
"Let's sit down and think about it,
| said, an2 dropped down on to the
grass, After moments hesitation she
followed my example.
But we can't sit here forever" She
NO; nice things never do last long"
| rejoined
81 shall never forget this morning."
she said; pulling mushrooms to pieces.
Nor l."
Come. YOU must suggest something.
| must get home somehow
There's a station in the neighbour
hood l said brutaly.
Il know; but it's miles off, isn't il?
"Thrpp I think -
"Nou are comforting' And I'm so
tired
so am l. That's why I'm not anx-
ious to move
You're very selfish. What am l to
dog"
Il can only see one course open TO us.
There's a man near here who lets cut
trap; we must hire that trap and
He can drive me 10 the station.
Nothing OF the kind. | shall drive
you back with me and feed you, and
then send you 70 the station. You can't
take busy man away from his work.
And you must have some lunch or you'll
be ill.,"
We'll" said Alicia. with q deep sigh,
show you can have the audacity 10 pre-
post such thing after---
Well 1t w0h': - - ...e first time you've
driven with me in a trap" | replied.
but that was before; not since.
.'You might make il before again if you
liked" | said without regard to syutax.
There was a pause. Then Alicia sighed
again and said plaintively:
Everything has gone wrong lately.
Everything" l rejoined gloomily.
Jack" said Alicia, turning on me
quite viciously. IF you keep on repeating
what | say | shall shake your
l Sprang to my feet.
Would you like 10 begin now e said
Jack is only too anxious to be
shaken"
She flung away the mushroom and rot
! up. with her hands behind her. She tried
| 10 look severe and couldn't manage it.
us it to be trap or noty' said.
Il m tired and I'm hungry, so let us
| decide on the trap. And do take those
: things out Of your pockets, for you don't