Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-04-02
MARY.


bored and were getting on one another's
nerves.
The rooms were too warm, to begin
with, and everyone would congregate in
the corner by the ices, so that the music
room was almost deserted and the artists
were distinctly annoyed at finding them
selves warbling to a few stragglers.
Il am so sorry for Lady Dunstan, :
said Mary Beresford TO the man who
/ had just been introduced TO her. Il am
afraid we are not treating her well.
Don't you think we had better 70 and
listen to a song:'
Il would rather not he answered,
! but am at your command. Only, VIII
| you do me favor afterward?"
She locker surprised. Certainly, if It
is in my power" She assented civilly
What is it!''
She was looking very comeiy and cool
in green and white dress of some d.
aphanous fabric. and there was an at
mosphere of pleasant repose about Miss
Beresford that people appreciated with
out analyzing it.
! 1t had never occurred to her to marry
anyone, though the suggestion had been
made TO her from time 10 time; she was
| well off, she had no near relations, and
I she had reached the age of 33 while still
possessing the charm for others and the
interest in life which were hers at 26
/ She was neither Il feminine bachelor nor
an old maid, but simply an unmarried
/ woman who was eminently manageable
/ l am the victim, or rather | suppose
/ should say the hero, of Il romance con-
tinued the man. and | have an intense
warnings to tell someone about it. Will
you let me cOntidp in Won -
Mary laughed. and for the first time
l"oked 10 see what manner Of man this
was
a dark. clean-Shaven face keen and
strong. such as you find in barristers or
naval m'n; tall. well-set-up figure: a
gravity Of voice and manner that were
! redeemed at times, as at this moment. by
/ a twinkle in the handsome eyes, and a
/ eleft. indicative of humOr, at the corners
! Of the lips.
4 You must let me know your name"
4 she said, If you are geing to tell me the
story OF your life, i didn't catch what
1 Lady Dunstan said"
Lawrence Home" he replied. ''and
! have just met my fate"
Really" Mary's amused glance
] swept over the crowd around them and
rested en- girl with straight, clear-cur
PRONE and dark hair to whom she tram
/ silently remembered Mr.. Home had been
talking when their hostess divided them.
see you are trying to guess who Is
/ the deus eN machina.' he said, "but I
4 want To begin from the beginning.
Won't you let me off the song. Miss
Reresford. and come to the balcony over
there -
ats very unprincipled." said Mary
wavering. Lady Dunstan asked us to
so 10 the drawing room."
PRINCIPLES can he carried too far he
/ argued. Let us be selfish for once and
choose the balcony"
And 50 You are romantic?" asked
Mary when they We're enscOnced IN n
! shady corner.
Not at all by temperament" he as
Snred her, hut I have become so lately.
saw lady at a concert and felt so
attracted by her that | paid no further
attention to the music. Since then
chance has willed that we should often
tc within speaking distance of each 9TH
Erin the street, in n ROOM AT an enter
tainment-and the attraction has grown
with every meeting, so that when | have
received an invitation lately l have said
10 myself. L wonder if She will be
thereE She with q capital letter. But
We have never been introduced until to-
day. | found her here. l asked Lady
llunstan 10 introduce me when a favor
able opportunity occurred, and - the
thing is done"
And You feel that your fate is
sealed?"
Mary began 10 he interested, for
though his tone was easy and uncon-
cerned there was Something-she. could
rot tell what-which seemed 10 show he
was in earnest
For better or for worse. yes,' he
said. Il am sure She is my alter ego.
the enc woman in the world for me, but
She may not have the same feeling. In
fact | know for certain that she has no
feeling OF any sort about me and no
consciousness Of ever having met me be-
FORE. 80 my only hope is to see her
constantly. and that is not so easy as il
sounds. for with the exception of our
hostess we have no mutual friends that
am aware of mt whose houses we might
meet"
oh. yet" said Mary hastily. Il know
Miss Matthews quite well. She is COM
ing 10 lunch with me next week"
is Shet" he said eagerly. And Won
will ask. me, too? But that is too good
of YOU.
Not at all shall be very pleased;
romance deserves encouragement In
these prosaic days. She is a charming
girl. Ethel Matthews. | have known her
quite n long time. We might go to 4
picture gallery afterward. Sir James
Hart is coming. so that we Shall be a
partie carree.
She rose 10 so and extended her hand
With a smile of encouragement 10 him
Goodbye" she said. Il have an early
dinner engagement, and l must 20 now.
Dent forget-luneh at ? o'clock
"Nou haven't given me your address. .
She took cut a card from little lew
elcd case and gave il TO him.
-, Mayfair Mansions he said.
Thanks. | shan't forget. and am most
/ grateful
And as she went away and his glance
followed her he said 10 himself, That
was 4 good move OF mine. Bat what a
I piece Of luck"
The little square" luncheon party al
Mayfair Mansions was decidedly suc-
/ cess. Sir James Hart was rising iiplo-
I mat; indeed. one might say thar he was
! risen one, aud he talked even better
/ than usual because he was anxious to
/ please Miss BereSford. Ethel Matthews.
/ who was accustomed 10 demand aud re.
+ teive admiration with GOODNESS Tint i
/ characteristic OF the latteT-day Young
! woman. accepted graciously Mr. Homes
I attempts 10 be agreeable. and they were
( quite friendly by yhe time thar rhnv ~