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


only posted it into his pocket Having
been written to her. il was sacrcdly hers.
and to have il about him gave him a feel
ing of pleasure he acknowledged with a
laugh, ard for once did not try 10 ac-
count for in words.
After that he wrote her a letter every
time he saw her, and, but that something
happened about the sixth time. il is Il
matter to wonder al how far he would
have allowed his pockets TO bulge.
What occurred was of the most com
monplace description. In hunting for
letters at her feet. She caught it up with
a little cry, why, it's addressed TO me-
II he had not stopped her she would
have opened it there and then.
But he couldn't prevent her keeping it,
nor prevent himself seeing the laugh in
her eyes-a stray CLEAN that seemed 10
cast new light on the pathways 10
heaven
IF you like it," he said. there are
more" and he took out the pack, turning
it over
But if they are mine | would much
rather have them a once she cried.
III they are mine you've no right 10 keep
them"
TO tempt her into pleading for them
into more laughter, into quite a torrent
of teasing and excited speech. he held out
as long as he could In the end she went
OH WITH ner letters.
I'm convinced it's some rubbish, she
threw at him in parting: land | do want
to see just how silly y"n ar+e'
Will you tell me how silly you think
me- he asked
IF you're silly-enough," said she.
Of course he expected an answer-ex-
pected it feyerShly. filled with a boyish
impatience and unrest he had never sur
passed in his boyhood. When ii came
it was like her he told himself: and it
was certainly put in few words, If that
was really like her. and his doubts on
that subject We're brand new ones. "Wil
you come and see meg" she wrote. nam
ing an hour OF course he went-pray-
ing the while that lie should find her
alone
And she was alone; so far. he quickly
saw the realization of his wish Yet
for the moment. as he advanced toward
her up the long room he hardly knew
her-hardly recognized her unadOrned
beauty. the child of the doWdy frocks. in
the perfectly dressed girl now waiting
for him with laughter and bushes chas-
ing each other on her bewildering face.
For the first time in his life he found
nothing TO say, ana she WaS forced
to begin. She seemed not unwilling
Your letters are charming" she said
She put mp hand TO the imitation pearls.
side by side with some that looked price
less, among the laccS at her neck and
twisted them round to show him they
were unknotted.
Your letters arc charming" she re-
peatcd with the least little break in her
voice Then she frightened and smiled.
And what do you think of my frock!'
Il think it is--charming," hc said.
She came nearer TO him.
will you answer me something's she
asked,
''Yes--ycs anything
Only this-which sort of frock do YOU
like me in bcSt:'
This" he said. true to his creed This
i suppose. Oh, my darling. we are
starting ut the wrong end. bur if you keep
the letters We shant be able to afford
such frocks.''
Il wouldn't give up the letters for any
thing" she declared
Il 20 with the letters. he said.
Again the laugh in her eyes. And
ia rather give up the letters than YOU
she smiled
Then hang the frocks." he cried. and
would have caught her TO him, but she
warded him off.
stop; do stop then she blushed for
a Stop. won't you. please! Then
don't you know, really: Don't you truly
know"
WHAT
''rhat I've more frocks and more
money to buy new ones than L know
what TO 40 with. anu-and---
do you mean to tell me-"
Let me tell you. | mean, | had the
childish idea-I see now how childish it
waste try and pass myself off in your
society as poor American girl. for a
change. And it was a failure; fright as
| looked, il was 4 failure. with just one
exception. You are the exception, and
until now | have never felt quite. quite
sure that even you could be excepted.
Into her eyes crept their pathetic look
My dearest" he cried, lust for your
sweet self | loved You. On my honor, |
did not know. and | loved you because /
could not help it.
This time She did not ward him off
NO woman wants 10 be loved for any
other reason she said. land | shant
mind the money and things any more"
And the knot in the pearls?" he
asked. later.
II knotted them at first because it
seemed, somehow, i'll keeping with the
stupid sort of girl l was TO be. But
when | noticed how you always stared
at then | Kept them knoyted to"
well, Why"
''To keep you--staring"' she laughed.
And did you never ind out"
OH She interrupted, Il asked Just
everyone why u knot in a row Of pearls
should make wise man-any man
stare so. was always asking, until
someone told me about the old saying
of the love letter. and then
And them
And then" She still hesitated.
by then" he amended.
"Oh. Id like to tinish,' she said,
bravely. by then | was so anxious for
your letters l couldn't unite it. You
see" She almost whispered my heart
was caught in the knot and it wouldn't
unite until you helped me. Il. Parry
TruScott, in The Sketch.
7 800 I,,,en