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

1T does seem sc, upon my word" Grif
was beginning, but a little patter Of
footsteps outside the door, brought mis-
words To a finish, and in silence they
watched the door open to let in Hildred,
radiant and fresh from her morning
walk
She gave slight bow to the stranger,
and theI- looked at her aunt for explana-
ton.
Miss Freda futtered a little and felt
awkward. Her plans were not matured,
and, moreover, deception was new to her.
glance at Grit brought her no help.
He had grown all at once expressionless
and wooden.
Il was afraid that was late, aunte"
Hlldred said, TO ease the awkwardness.
Il heard you talking as | came in, and
thought 1t must be Mr.. Munday already
arrived"
oh, my dear, such pity! He can
not come. Some unfortunate business
quite unlocked for, it seems"
The words, suddenly let loose. came
with rush to the old lady's lips, and
emerged a little tangled.
so he sent a messenger instead-a
particular friend. | understand, Mr.
Air.
\ wave OF her hand indicated Griff, and
implored his help.
Grltf's eyes sought a name in mid air,
. hastily, and his lips gave it out with a
Jerk" Dick Raudom-Richard Random;
and | am very pleased to meet Miss FL
berfeld"
The politeness was an effort Just then,
and to reward himself for it he held out
a begging hand,
Half amused, she laid hers in it, with
something of pity for six feet of man
hood so painfully shy and awkward.
The pity made her feign a pleasure,
, though she had it not, and spoke very
graciously to him, and regretfully about
her absent guardian.
But the position was untenable. and
Grifi discovered on a sudden that his re-
turn train to Barnston was nearly due
But what of Mr.. NIundy?" Hildred
asked. Surely we shall see him before
we leave; there is SC much to arrange,
and it is so difficult to do it all by let
ter"
Grilf stammered over his excuses, and
Miss Freda came to his assistance.
There will be no difficulty at all, dear.
Your guardian is most considerable. il
seems and will leave YOU free to make
your own arrangements entirely for the
next few months. Mr.. Random and l
have had long talk about it already,
YOU see, and now, since his time IS so
short"
Griff still looked suspiciously shy and
guilty, and prudence told her it was
safest to hasten his departure.
y moment later he had bowed himself
= :
ing over Miss FTcda's ridiculous plan.
and his own unlucky absent mindedness
that had led him int0 such mess"
Il think Mr.. Mundy might have come
himself" Mildred was saying to her
aunt 1T is such a very short Journey,
it would not have taken up much OF his
time: or, he might have asked us to go to
him"
oh, my dear, what does it matter.
since he gives you the freedom you were
so anxious forY l supposed he was de-
tained-men always seem to have SO
many affairs on their hands and you
know he sent Mr.. Random in his place. :"
That's Just it, auntie; he sent a
stranger, dragging him into our private
concerns without knowing if we should
object or not. / call it most inconsider-
ate of Mr.. Mundy!"
Zach, no child, don't say that! am
sure you are unjust to him. He meant
nothing but kindness, it is plain, and
Mr. Random is most friendly and agree
able-quite exceptionally nice, Hildred. y
The girl turned a rather disconnected
face from the window to her aunt, as she
answered impatiently, "Oh, daresay; he
may be a model of all the virtues, though
he only struck me as most painfully
awkward. But don't see what that has
to do with it; he is not my guardian
There, don't look so tragic, auntie! It's
not your fault, you know, and, of course
it's not worth making fuss about, only
| had somehow come to expect great
things from this wonderful MIR. Mundv
and now-well, | am disappointed in
him"
TO BE CONTINUED