Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-04-25

! victor walked over to the window
afraid TO trust himself near her, and
stood looking out, with his hands folded
behind him, while she played on.
When she stopped, there was silence
Then she did a most extraordinary thing
She got up, and advancing to his side,
laid her hand gently on his arm and
spoke
MIR. Travers-Victor- almost
brother" she said, in low, earnest tone.
Let us understand each other, and make
no mistake. l am not bind have seen
so much of human nature during my
life that it is easy TO read yours. This
is only n momentary infatuation, believe
me. Let us be true to others, and
and to ourselves. Forgive me for speak
ing like this, but we are not strangers,
we are nearly brother and sister, and,
therefore, | am surely privileged to be
plain and honest"
He did not move, or say a word
Victor" she continued, after a mo-
ment's pause for an answer. Il pray
| that you will listen to me now, and re-
member your honor-your promise to
my sister You are a man, stronger.
both mentally and physically, than l,
who am only weak erring woman, and
L look to you to save us both from
wrong doing"
Her voice shook, and she covered her
face with her hands.
| II know l have spoken in a terribly
straightforward way" she said, present
ly, but we must put this right, now and
for ever, while there is time"
Suddenly Victor turned to her and
caught her hands in his own, and ere she
could resist him, he had kissed her pas
sionately.
"My darling!" he murmured. Then,
after q moments fierce struggle within
himself, he said, you are right, and
what you say is true. 1t is hard but l
agree with you. But either you or l
must leave here. If love you at first
sight, what will it be next timer"
Il have settled to Co." she replied,
hastily. 81 am leaving for Scotland to-
morrow, and shall not come back till
till am married You, in the mean
time, will marry Pansy. L shall not live
here after"
"Only grant me one thing" he inter
rupted, in a hoarse whisper, "and will
obey you, cost what it may"
Quickly, then, what is it? I hear
someone coming" she said, hurriedly.
They were standing very close to-
gether, Victor holding both her hands
still.
"Give me one sweet kiss, my darling,
and say you love me-"
She flushed holly, but lifting her face
to his, she whispered back, softly, 81 love
you, Victor. Take it, and be content"
But one was not enough. and while,
in an abandonment of hopeless passion
and love, he held her in close embrace,
Pansy entered the room, and saw them.
1t was nearly dark by that time, so
that they were in q measure hidden, al
though their general attitude could not
have been mistaken.
Victor stammered out something about
claiming the privilege of a brother"
Pansy sat down at the deserted piano,
and began at once to play some lively
selection.
Soon afterwards Patience and her hus.
band came in, and Victor took his leave
Pansy and Pearl shared the same bed
that night, but Pearl could not sleep.
Pansy fell asleep. though it was a
restless, troubled slumber, and many
times during the poor girls inarticulate
i'mutterings, Pearl caught her own and
her lovers names.
Not once did she close her eyes that
night.
Early next morning she rose, while
/ Pansy was still asleep, and, creeping
noiselessly into the dressing room. she
dressed quickly, and, without waiting
for breakfast, went out into the fresh
| air.
1t was a grand autumn morning. warm
and bright, and as she walked with
quick, decided steps down to the sea.
shore, the strong young blood of youth
and health tingled in every vein and
glowed in her cheeks.
Never had life seemed so beautiful to
her
She wendell her way along the shining
sands to a more solitary spot, though,
indeed, there were very few people any
where at that carly hour.
As she advanced, a boatman saluted
her respectfully, and asked If she was in
clined for a row.
Pearl answered in the affirmative, and,
selecting boat, was quickly seated, and
pushed off
She handled the oars with the air of
one who understood what she was about,
and with long, steady strokes, soon wild
ened the distance between herself and
the land
There was light autumn mist hang.
! ing StiA OkCA 4dAA aIiu SEA, Dub JIle sun
was rapidly bursting through, and the
sea was sparkling clear as crystal
She heard the boatman call from the
shore, in a warning voice, "Take heed
to the rocks, miss" but taking no no
tice, she directed her course towards
those very rocks against which he had
cautioned her.
| There was strange smile on her scar
let lips, a wonderful light in her beau
tiful eyes; and, as the sun and wind
kissed her curling hair, and she swayed
gently to ard fro in the boat with the
motion of the oars. one would hardly
have thought, from the vision of health
and beauty she presented, what
/ thought-what an irrevocable resolution
was in her mind.
Il am not afraid" che murmured to
herself. "Who could be afraid of death
ON morning like this? / am not afraid,
with the sun shining down so calmly,
and all around me so pleasant and