Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-02-14
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)
Xxx g *:

have not done this as j said It is hid
eous! 1t IS hateful! i refuse to wear it
so! You must'alter it for me at once"
1t was as well for the maintenance of
Shela's assumed character that she was
clever with her needle She sat down.
and under the direction of madame and
the waiting maid, 'Tearranged the draper
les of the glittering dress, which was sup
posed to represent Cleopatra"
Madame meanwhile proceeded with her
toilet, which was to Sheila a revelation.
and to the attendant, Celie "a torment
Finally, when Celie's temper had been
tried to the utmost limit. and the glass
reflected a vision of radiant and quite
youthful beauty, Cleopatra's robes were
donned. Even then Sheila's skill was
called upon to rearrange some trifing de-
tails, and while she was thus occupied
tinwardly Tebelling, but remembering it
was all for Dare and Rosamond) Celie
was called away.
His hardship, I suppose?" said Mad
anne de Maupas, careiessly, and with a
faint sheer, as Ceie re-entered
Yes, madame"
Madame sailed forth, gorgeous and
glittering, and waiting around her the
perfumes of Araby the blest Sheila,
concluding her services to be ended,
stepped into the ante-room, but paused
there. Right in the doorway of the sit
ting-room opposite stood Cleopatra, and
with her a gentleman some years her
junior, who wore the costume of Antony
and looked so out of keeping with it that
sheila's d'mples came into play, heavy
hearted as she was.
But Cleopatra! Could that be the
flF7nr no bod 81 Il rs Il
bnt few moments since-that enchant-
ing creature, that siren with the melting
eyes and the voice of melody?
Celie brought her mistress cloak, An
tony was sweetly suffered to place it
upon her lovely shoulders, and away they
went.
BAH" said Celie, returning, and evil
IDENTIFY disposed to unbosom herself. "He
had need be lord, the little insignifi-
cant! But he is rich, and hope she viii
get him! Heavens! how tired l am, and
all this place to put in order
she must be very trying woman to
serve" said Sheila.
"Of late she has been unbearable,"
Cehe informed her. at is the uncertain
ty, no doubt. All, but Antony What a
character for him to appear in with his
droll little legs. You should have seen
her former fiance-so noble, so distin-
guished a gentleman, no longer young
but with the grand manner and the fine
presence marquis, too"
and have they quarreled?" asked
Sheila
''He is dead, poor gentleman. He met
with a sad end,'' said Celie. sTrue, they
had parted before then. These are your
gloves, l think. / daresay you are glad
enough to getaway at last"
Sheila had no reasonable excuse for re-
naming. With mingled relief and disap-
pointment, and sense of depression, she
gained the street once more.
The cold, fresh night air was grateful
after the sicklyperfumed atmosphere Of
Madame de Maupas' rooms, and there
was freedom from the curious, uneasy
feeling which had weighed upon her there.
Yet her heart was sick. She felt so
weak, so incapable of battling with the
waves of mystery and trouble that
threatened to engulf all she held dear
What had she gained by the sacrifice of
pride and the suppression of her loathing
for such woman as she had never before
been brought in contact with? Only the
knowledge that Madame de Maupas had
once had a lover, in man who might, or
might not be the Marquis de PEsparre.
She had made Bessy promise to return
to her home-had, in fact, given the di
reetion to the cab driver. Annie could
take Bessy's things to her in the morn
ing, and bring back Sheilas.
It was as well for Bessy that this ar
rangement had been made, for Sheila had
been detained by madame for close on
two hours.
At first the preoccupied state of her
mind caused the girl to be unconscious
of her novel position, and the wonder her
absence would excite at DR.. Egerton's.
She walked quickly on through streets
that were strange to her. She would see
an empty cab presently, she thought.
She started suddenly at sound of a
voice beside her. A young man was at
her side, smiling into her face in man
ner that reused her Indignation. She
walked on faster than before.
''Now don't be in such ha hurry" said
he, in an affected, drawing voice. "Such
pretty little girl as you ought not to be
out alone so late. Let me sec you safely
home" and he caught her arm.
'How-how dare you!" cried Sheila,
angrily, wrenching herself free.
The young man drew back just as
third person came by, glanced quickly at
Sheila, and paused.
ooh, Frank-Frankt" cried the girl,
joyously.
Frank Dunbar took the hand she held
out TO him and drew it within his arm.
The other young man disappeared.
"Sheila, what does this meant" Frank
demanded, in quite an elder brotherly
tone of displeasure.
She could not for some time explain
coherently. They were soon in hanson,
driving towards Or. Egerton's.
We'll, can't quite understand it all,
said Frank, quietly. 81 almost believe l
should have passed you but for your
voice, Sheila. You look 500 unlike
Yourself"
1--WE got on Bessy's things"
But why ?-and who is Bessy?" asked
the bewildered Frank. Look here,
Sheila," he continued, 81 think you'd bet
ter tell me the whole history tomorrow,
and let me do the rest"
Yes, WILL" she answered, with sigh
of relief II was inst Ike old times this