Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-03-19
Mr.. BaSSingtOn' SViSitOr

within a certain room on the second floor
of house that looked even more somber
than those adjacent. What light there
was came through the window as if re-
luctantly, and dimly showed figure bent
over desk engrOssed in work.
If one could have peeped in at that
room at the same hour on any day of tie
year one would have seen the same still
hgure at the same occupation; except
during the vacations, when Richard
BassingtOn left work and the Temple
behind for a time and Sought same place
where the air was fresher and sweetcr.
1t had been urged upon him that now
he was a famous X. G. he should leave
the chambers he had first come to when
a struggling junior, and find a more inn
posing suite of rooms. But he chung to
the old ones with an affection that was
more the outcome of long association
than of any actual beauty or convenience
they possessed, for they were shabby and
| mean. and up two fights of stairs which
clients grumbled at a good deal.
Mr.. Washington had had busy day,
| ana returning a few minutes ago from
! the courts was anticipating a hasty tea,
and after that long evening devoted TO
more work.
But somehow he could not mis- after
noon easily rivet his attention, as long
habit had given him the power to do. on
/ the work before him. There started up
mt him from those dry, rustling papers,
as II drawn upon them by invisible fin
gers, Il girls fair face, with gray, laugh
ing eyes and tangle of wild sweet
HAIR; in word face from a past he
had hoped was dead and done with long
ago had come TO haunt and disturb the
present.
He glanced up at the calendar above
his desk. 1t was her birthday. he re-
membered. He supposed it was that
which had brought her so persistently to
his mind today. He placed his pen down
and half closed his eyes Like dimly re-
membered music, her voice seemed to
float to him across the gulf of years.
Why did the aching memory of
! it come back to him row! She had long
ago passed out of his life. and even
though some of the brightness of it had
stolen away with her she had left him
| his work
Il have that" he murmured, half
/ aloud; ''it must suffice. now and always"
4 Yet in that moment the wealth and fame
he had won seemed but as Dead sea fruit,
turning to ashes in his mouth.
He thought of certain thousands that
! lay snugly invested OF what use were
they to buy back the past or give him
once more the chance to win the only
woman lie had ever cared or would ever
care forl
With self-indulgence that was nm
usual to him he was still contemplating
this dream-sweet face with the laughing
eyes and merry lips. when there came
rather imperiouS knock ut his front door.
and breaking from his revcric he FASTENED
to answer it.
Standing outside was vision in white.
No Pigment of the brain this, but vision
of flesh and blood--a child, little girl
with grave, inquiring glance and pretty
face flushed with excitement.
tf,lA 7 IN VnY
Mr. Bassington.' she said to the aston
ished barrister. land / made nurse bring
me this afternoon. | have sent her back
to the hotel, and told her to come back
for me in an hours time. | said | was
going to have tea with YOU.
She had crossed the Threshold. and,
following the bewildered lawyer, she
stopped short in the middle Of the room
and looked mt him with candid blue eyes.
:" nj afraid" she said pronouncing her
words with delicate precision, that you
are not very pleased to see me- MIR. Bas-
sington. / believe" she added. with
dreadful solemnity, that you've forgot
all about asking met
But this terrible Indictment Richard
BasSington FASTENED TO deny. He re-
memhered meeting the child week ago
ut friends house where Il Juvenile par
" was in progress. He did not know
her name. but he had been attracted by
her quaintness. After the manner of
children she had asked him number
of questions, where he lived, and wheth-
or she might come to see him. with a
grave seriousness that was natural to
her, and he had replied in the same strain
that upon any afternoon he would be
prepared TO receive her
why should you not think am
/ pleased AT your visit:" he asked, little
uwkwurdly. He was unused 60 children
and not Mt case with them.
When | 30 to my fwiends they always
/ kiss me, was her indirect answer.
"Oh. | see" he replied. with laugh.
+ Well. that is an omission soon rene
died and catching the child mp in his
strong arms he kissed the sweet baby
lips. That seemed eifectually to break
the lee between them, and in few mo-
ments the little girl was explaining how
she had obtained permission from her
aupt-a lady careless of children and
whose brains were woOlly in the after
no"u-to come out with her nurse to sec
Mr.. BaSsington.
Standing alone as he did in the world
! with no tie. no one 10 love or care for
MIN In return, with nothing to live for
but inCcSs0nt work, in which he found
4 ms only drcary pleasure. Richard Bias
slnSton was almost surprised 10 find that
/ ne was SilU human. and that this dear
/ ehid with ner pretty ways seemed al
! ready 10 DC claiming admittance TO his
heart.
Nitn quick, accustomed hands he took
from the cupboard two odd cups and sau.
GERS, milking, sugar and plates. and
bread and butter. He had learned how
10 make his own tea in days when to 90
( 1" outside tea shops was n luxury he
Nond ms means, and the habit had chung
To him.
There was a gas ring in the room. and
having placed upon il n kettle thar had
originally been polished brass. he busted
himself. much to the child'S amusement.
IA preparing tile tea
She insisted upon helping him and. re.
I moving her teecy cloak, Sne hogan to
make herself useful in nanper thar he.
trayed early developed housewifely in.
Stiucts.
II brought him strange pleasure 81
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