Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-11-14
DECEIVED.
CHAPTER IIL-(Continued-)

These hours of study were still very
precious to Hildred, even when, as some
times happened, a great deal of the time
was spent, not in painting, but in long
winded, high flown harangue on the part
of the professor, on what ne called the
"Great Ideal"
Today he seemed more than ever in
cIined to talk, and though the hour OF
The lesson had long slipped by, he stin
boyered about The studio; while Mildred,
no longer painting, since the light had
already begun to fail, sat with hands
elasped IN her lap, and dreamy look
on her face, listening whilst he held forth
with wordy enthusiasm on the beauties
of his profession.
"Ah. Is it not beautiful and grand, the
art Iife?" he cried, with wide and melo-
dramatic gesture. you are young, mein
traulein you are yet a novice-a candi-
date. waiting at the gate of the art para
disc. But / viii lead you in; my guiding
hand shall open for you the gate that
but for me would forever have been
closed TO YOU
The guiding hand was held out as if
anxious to perform it's office there and
then but Hildred did not see it, and the
professor went ON to enlarge in such
glowing terms ON the pure delights in
store for her in that earthly paradise of
the blessed few, that she at last caught
a little of his enthusiasm, and sat gazing
silently out of the window with eyes
that saw only the vague exalted visions
his words had conjured up.
HE is right it is q glorious life-sure
" the best that possibly could BET"
Then you consent you will be mine?
All, iebe fraulein, how happy you have
made met"
Mildred had spoken low, and dreamily,
in answer to her own thoughts more
than to his speech, but she looked up,
startled now, to find him bending over
her his lips pressed to her fingers.
Then she gradually awoke to the fact
that he was making love to her-that he
had actually proposed to her-and was
under the impression that she had ac-
.cepted him.
At first it was sheer amazement that
kept her silent, whilst he poured forth
rhapsodies of love and devotion; and
then, because she was IS, and a woman,
and had never had lover, his words
ended by touching some chord within
her, whose throbbings were novel and
delightful.
When Miss Elbefeld came into the
room little later, thinking that he had
gone long before, and wondering why
Hildred,stayed up there alone, he sprang
to meet her, pressed her hand gushingly,
and told her in eXultant tones that he
was engaged to her niece, Hildred
rs this true?"
"Ye-es, auntie, 1 suppose So" Hildred
said
With your permission, of course" put
in the professor, softly. Your good
wishes are all that is wanting to our
happiness"
You are mistaken, Herr Professor.
My consent is not all that is needed.
Hildred's guardian must decide this mat
ter"
"a guardian!" Herr Probst repeated,
looking from one to the other little
blanl1ly. Il was not aware-and where
shall 1 find this gentleman, madame?
You viii give me his address, that / may
go at once and beg from him my treas
ure?"
Il think you had better write" said
Miss Freda, drily, but with a little in
ward qualm of uneGsiness at this new
complication. HE may possibly arrange
to see you," she added. "In any case,
you had better write To him at once" and
she gave the professor the address of
Griffeth Mundy, at Mundy's Croft.
what are we to do about it?7 she
asked anxiously of Griff, when she had
him alone that evening, and had told him
what had happened. ut is a most awk
ward position, for, of course, we cannot
take him into our confidence; he would
tell her at once and spoil everything"
True; but what am to say to the
fellow?'
Simply refuse your consent to the
marriage" said Miss Freda, promptly
"And the opposition will make her
more determined than ever" he said,
gloomily.
But Miss ElbefeId shook her head
smiling. 1T is not only question of
her wishes" she reminded him. He, too.
must be reckoned with, and if my suspi-
cions are correct you will find that when
he hears that Hildred loses her fortune
by marrying against your wish, he will
very prudently withdraw his offer"
you think that?" Griff asked eagerly,
and she nodded emphatically.
He is badly off, know, but how will
you manage about the meeting?"
Tell him to meet me at some hotel at
Leipsic, a week today. l will take
night train from here, when I shall con
trive to get carriage to myself. shall
leave Dresden as young Dick Random,
and arrive at Leipsic as old Griffith
Mundy: 1t is a horrible trick to play;
but l dare not give him the chance of
telling her of our perfdy, as you say it
would spoil everything.
Five days later letter came for Herr
Probst from Mundy's Croft, acknowledge
ing his proposal for IIildred's hand, and
saying that, as the writer's only wish
was for her happiness, he had decided to
come and see the sutton himself to dis
euss the matter with him more at length,
II that gentleman would be good enough
TO meet him at the Hotel Kron-P rinz,
LeIpsic, on the following Thursday
1t was on Saturday morning that Hill
dred, moving restlessly about the draw
lng room, too nervous to settle to any
occupation felt her breath come n little