Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-08-15

mage. But no one was prepared for the
almost Oriental beauty and mysticism of
his latest verses, which appeared in one
Of the best of the monthly periodicals.
under the name of My Lady Of the
Realm of Dreams" and which wouIJ
have done credit To much more ambi-
tious poet than Billy Ashe Ashe himself
thought rather well of them: he felt thar
IL III some way compensated for the very
nasty knock on the head that the Lady
lad been the means of giving him, and
that lie had turned a most perplexinr
hrearm to very good account. 1t was
better than taking it to the Society of
Isychical Research which he had
thought of doing in the vividness of his
ilrSt lmpre Sslon. but six months without
any farther developments, waking or
sleeping. had dulled his keen conviction
of its psychic value. Meanwhile, a com
iortable check from the magazine had
seemed 10 take the thing out of the PROV
nce of psychic research
AShe was a modest man. but not TOO
much SO to find little !Onizing quite to
ms taste. and he went to afternoon teas
and cotillonS with a feeling that tomor-
row would be someone elseS day. and he
must gather his roses while he might So
he entered Mrs. Fosters long drawing
room prepared to smile as he listened 70
his verses misquoted by fair fiatterers: he
retained that serene attitude of mind
while he shook hands with Mrs. Foster.
aud not one minute longer. For beyond
Mrs. Foster. and standing just outside
the ring Of light from a tall lamp. was
the Lady of his dreams. with her white
gown that clung to her shoulders and
round waist, and fared with heavy folds
at her feet. This time she wore Il fan on
the long silver chain around her neck.
and she had no hat nor veil. 50 Ashe
could sec that she was regarding him
with the frankeSt interest from a pair OF
most attractive brown eyes. He flushed
with surprise, and his remarks to Mrs
Foster died on his lips She was not a
dream, then. his princess! A Sudden rec
objection of the check from the Hundred
Years made him warIl and as n coroi-
larry came the realization of his narrow
escape from the Society of Psychic Re
SCarch-good heavens
Meanwhile Mrs. Foster was saving gra-
clously. so good of you to come. Mr.
AShc, and not TO forget your old friends.
now you are such celebrity. And to re-
ward You. | am going to introduce you
/ 70 very dear young friend of mine.
Miss Gregory. who admires your poems
50 much. And AShe found himself be-
fore his princess. while Mrs. Foster went
ON fuently. constance. my dear, this Is
Mr.. AShe, and turned to greet another
guest All remnants of his Self-posses-
sion vanished at the sound of the names
| expressions of delight at making his ac-
quaintancc, Ashc asked abruptly:
Are you princess" She opened her
| brown eyes wider and looked nj him in
| surprise, ''lIo-do you believe in telepa-
! 'hy. and astral bodicS?" he went on after
= moments pause. "Or are you only
droam?"
Dear me- said the girl. Mrs. Foster
| said you were so nice. and not startling
| that 10 one would know that YOU We're n
| poet or anything else at all awe-inspir-
| ing. and here YOU have called me three
| alarming names in as many minutes. l.
| this poetic license, Mr.. AShe?"
Did you really mind Cissy Lofms?'
! he asked anXiouSly. You sec she's my
| fayorite pipe, hut she's rather old. and
m afraid she's a little too strong to he
pleasant To strangers. But didn't ex-
peet you. YOU know. when you came in
SO suddenly"
The girls face was gravcly puzzled,
! but her eyes looked amused. Il am
| AFRAID Mrs Foster has Il mistaken idea
| of you, she said, with a shake of her
| head
Where do you live" inquired Ashe.
When you're not in dream. you know
when you're not in the ThurStonS' libra
ry:"
Well" said Miss Gregory. Il am re-
heved. | am 80 glad 10 find hat can az
ldSt tdhe an lnttilScnt interest in the
conversation, The ThurStonS library
isn't ii fascinating place."
lou weren't in it long enough to find
out. objected AShe. And do YOU think
It was quite kind Of you to make me
bump my hcadT'
Long enough: I've spent hours in the
FhurSton>' library" said the girl in mork
Indignation. And | never made YOU
bump your head
Well perhaps not consciously" admit,
ted AShc, hut ii was under your SMELL. -"
Miss Gregory looked AT him With n smile
beginning 10 show nj the corners of her
mouth.
You are certainly casting a spell over
me. she said. Really. Mr.. AShc. | don't
know what You mean-l'm sure | never
had anything T. do with your humping
your head-hut I'm not sure thar II
wouldn't do it good"
Cruel said AShe We'll, since Won
won admit it. lets begin again. | am
very glad TO meet you, Miss Gregory
Mrs. Foster ia too good 10 me. Do Won
know your face is very famiiar-haven't
| met you heforeT'
Mrs. Foster has been Kind Ia me
too. returned Miss Gregory prettin
No, Mr.. Ashe, I'm sure that | sbonii
not have forgotten il il we had mer no.
fore. My home is not in New York and
| am not here very much. But | have
heard Of You often. from Mrs. Foster
ana the IhurStonS in Morristown, and of
course / have read your verses. =
How time must clamor ut Your doors
to be killed." said Ashe.
An, now you are unkind 10 your IT. |
lie orain-chhdpn. approached the girl.