Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-10-17

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the world Is the matter?" asked two or
thCee voices ct once; and Griffith an
swered with an aggrieved aic-
Poor old David Masters, You know
he died two days ago. We had always
been tile best of friends, and Pm sure
don't know what l have done that he
should condemn me to be the guardian of
his grandehild.7
"Guardian-you!
There xas u moments blank surprise,
and then from the four listening men
went up a loud rude laugh of utter de-
rision.
/ Grif looked from one to the other
sternly, though with lips that would
1 twitch IN spite of himself
! Il can't for the life of me see what
/ you fellows are grinning att" he said at
/ last, Indignantly, and the two men whose
| friendship with him was the shortest
! Strengthened their faces and murmured
half-apology; but Charlie Carson, who
was an old schoolmate, and privileged,
threw his head back ard laughed afresh.
Poor, onlucky little chap!" he ex-
claimed, with elaborate pity. "a nice
sort of moral precepoor you viii be for
| hln, GriIi!"
~MOral preceptor be hanged, Don't
I talk rubbish" Griff said moodilv. you
are quite wrong. Besides, it isn't lit
tie chap at all-it's a grill"
~Whew!" Charlie whistled suggestive
~ and the other men raised their eye
bro~s inquiringly, while, for some un~
known reason, a red flush spread over
GrIff's boyish face.
We'll. what them" he asked. breaking
IN ON the silence with a note of defiance.
/ ''Oh, nothing, of course" answered
ing that's all. You're in luck's way,
Griif! l only wish someone would make
me guardian of lovely and charming
and rich-of course she is rich, GSraff$7
How should l know ?-yes The le5-
ter says granddaughter and heiress,' so
/ suppose she is. But that Doesn't make
1t any pleasanter The things a mus
;ance all round. and ] only wish could
/ get out of it," and Grit found himself
thinking very resentfullw of his old
friend, and half -regretfuify of that sum.
mer day, eight years ago when. seeing
the old man sitting grim, and white, and
helpless in his trap, behind a frightened
had least to the animals head, and
stopped him. at the cost of an ugly
sprain, and earned thereby the gratitude
that had resulted in this
Life had hitherto run on very smooth
and pleasant lines for Grilfeth Mundy,
and the prospect OF anything that inter
fered with its joyous course was distinct
ly unwelcome.
Il shnll decline the HONOR he said,
after a little moody Thought. "Why on
earth should l be worried with the guard
ianship of an infalrt j never even heard
of until today? The things absurd"
"Ihe infant will grow" remarked
ECharhe. "In few years your ward will
be beautiful and interesting girl, and
I'you will be the envy of every man in the
county. You have got a chance in a
thousand, and ought TO be very grateful"
Rubbish" said CriF 'rudely 81 don't
see much cause for gratitude. She is
supposed to live half the year with me
and how would you like your place upset
with nurses and-amd feeding bottles and
things ~
A shout of laughter was the answer
during which Charlie echoed
Half the year only! Who is to have
the honor of the ether half?"
Il don't know-Tead the thing for
yourself" said Grill worked up into un-
wonted bad temper, and pushing the let
ter across the table. Then he tilted him
self back in his chair buried his hands
in his pockets, and led gloomily at
the ceiling
Il see nothing about feeding bottles
here" observed Charlie when he had read
1.-THE letter. I'm fact, there is nothing
whatever to show that your ward is not
ALREADY a full grown and charming young
lady"
Don't be so absurdr" said C3riff. "Who-
ever heard of a fellow having a ward as
old as himself! The thing is ridiculous
enough already, but You needn't make it
out worse than it is"
4 AN absurdity that brings YOU in two
bundled year is not TO be despised
though" Charlie said, still gazing at the
letter. But, Griff, you didn't tell us
I;about the conditions. Ho! hot j begin
to see daylight, my friends! !" and Charlie.
with an impish smile pickering up his
pleasant, ugly face rubbed his hands to-
1 gether and chuclled delightedly
What do you suppose you have got
hold of now" asked Griff; and Charlie
4 grfmning broadly, read cut the two con
4 ditions on which Griffth's ward was IT,
enjoy her fortune.
We'll what of thatf" Grit asked
with color a little heightened. when he
had finished.
i TO BE CONTINUED
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