Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-10-31
CHAPTER y lContinued. J

she aSSuFeu HeE aunt d. StAe ScItleu Atek
comfortably in an armchair, with book
and the morning paper.
a minute after, her sunny head.
crowned by a black-pluned hat. was put
IN at the door 70 nod Good bye" on her
nav downstairs and out into the sunlit
street.
II seemed but short five minutes
later that a servant knocked at Miss
Freda's door, and announced that a gen
tlenan wished TO see her, at the same
time handing her Griffith Mundy's card.
Dear, dear-alreadyl And Hildred
will not be in for nearly an hour-how
nrovokinq!'' thought the old lady, flush
mo pink with annoyance; but since there
was no help for it, she told the servant
10 show the gentleman upstairs, and in
another moment Griffith came into the
room.
1T is good OF you to see me so early
I was so anxious to explain things that
| took the first train" Grif began. speak
inc fast, and with a little air of nervous
ness.
Miss Freda inwardiy remarked that
this strange young man was evidently
afflicted with shyness, SO she smiled in
diligently at him as she answered.
THAT was kind of you. You come, /
see. from Mr.. Mundy, but / hope it does
not mean that we shall not see him to-
day."
Madam, am Griffith Mundy!"
Miss Freda's face for a moment looked
puzzled. and then suddenly cleared
"Ahl his son--I see," she said smiling.
q am pleased to make your acquaint-
ance."
no, madam, I have no son. 1 am
Griffith Mundy himself-myself"
He was growing red, and little in
coherent, under the gaze of those mild,
questioning blue eyes.
Il don't understand" said the poor
lady, helplessly. eve went to see him
last night, and he said he was"
so he was, Miss Elbefeld-that is, it
was me-" said Griff, waxing hot and UNI
grammatical, and in her wondering face
he read the Mortified thought that he
was not quite sane.
IF you will please sit down, I will
explain things as shortly as possible" he
said and wheeled an arm chair forward.
She sank into it rather Imply, and
listened while he stood before her and
told his story with frank simplicity
that won her liking on the spot
Nevertheless, she heard it with sink
ing heart, and gazed at him, after he had
finished, in blank silence
''You quite understand it, don't your"
Grif asked at last. feeling uncomfort-
able "You don't think it was anything
worse than just stupid forgetfulness, do
your"
"Oh, I know, and ] am not blaming
you," she answered. eve were stupid our
selves not to see it, suppose But it is
Hildred l am thinking of-oh dear,
dear! what will she do?" And the poor
old lady almost wept in her dismay.
Griffith began to feel that she was
making a little unnecessary fuss about
the matter.
Il am very sorry if it has annoyed
you" he said; "bUt l really cannot see
what difference it will make"
1T makes all the difference in the
world" she sighed. "oh, my poor, dear
Hildred"
q must confess that 1 don't under
stand why your niece should be pitied
for my stupidity" he said Il will ex-
plain it all to her when she comes in,
and think she will be reasonable enough
TO forgive me and laugh at it,
oh you don't know Hildred!" her
aunt began hastily, and then drew her
self up and went on with more dignity
"Hildred is the dearest and the best
hearted girl in the world; no one knows
quite how sweet she is but /, who have
seen her grow up; but she has certain
little fancies, and is just the least bit
self willed."
But" Griff was beginning, but she
held up her finger and went on speaking
quickly
you must know that she did not take
at all kindly to the thought of submit
ting to a guardian; in fact, she resented
what seemed to her the arbitrary condi-
tlons of her grandfather's will so deeply
that | was afraid at first she would re-
fuse them and the money too. Then,
you see, we knew nothing at all about
you, and so much depended on what you
were hke-Hildred devotes herself so
warmly to anyone she really cares for"
Ies-please go on" Griff said, much
interested, as she paused.
We decided to come and see you un-
announced. Hildred said she could Judge
OF You better so, and she took to you at
once last night. She was prepared to be
the best of friends with you, and now
on, dear! this has just spoilt it ALL"
i don't understand" Griff said, disap-
pointed, for he had been conscious of a
little glow of satisfaction that was
damped by her last words Surely my
being younger than she thought cannot
matter in the least?"
1T does matter--it alters every thing!
Hlldred hates young men, or thinks she
does and nothing would induce her to
put herself under the authority Of one,
even for the sake of fortune"
Oh!-so that is, suppose, one OF the
little 'tancies' you spoke of! My dear
MISS Elbefeld, / am sorry your niece
should think so badly of my kind, but l
cannot believe she is unreasonable.
snail do my best to alter her opinion,
and' with your help, think we shall
manage it,
but Miss Freda shook her head.
~, You would fail" she said gloom:ly.
she would never give you the chance to
convince her, for she will simply decline
70 have anything to do with you, or the
money elther-when she knows"
But this is perfectly ridiculous-and
unjust tOOi~ exclai,nad Cr;T rvro,,,;,,r, "a