Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-08-13

he would be heartily glad to hear OF it
Lady Viola kept her eyes fixed on her
plate whilst her father read the CON
coeted message. She hated the fraud.
yet she knew it must be done 1t was
not orly for her sake that her father was
screening CeciPs act, but for his as well.
Hefys cared for Cecil already as his own
son, and meant to save him, if it Law
within his power.
No tidings of the young duke had vet
come to hand. but it was too soon TO lose
hope. and both Lord Berys and his
daughter believed that the morrow would
bring them real news of HIM
Viola kept up 4 brave heart, but the
uEspeakable anxiety she was suffering
was already beginning to tell upon her
appearance. She was pale, and, despite
her constant smile, it might have been
noted by keen observer that her lips
trembled ana tears fingered often in her
lovely eyes
There was one moment during that
evening when she felt she could bear the
gaIety and friyoIousness of her lovers
guests no longer. and passing from the
heated drawing rooms unobserved. she
went out on To the terrace and stood
breathing in the cool night air with a
sigh of relief
The moonlight shone full upon her,
shedding white light over the grounds
and the woods beyond. and the perfume
OF the flowers tioated up to her, bring
my her thousand memories of the hours
so lately spent with him who had gone
hours IN which life had seemed to hold
but they two and love. Where was he
now? she asked, with a sob. Whittier
was he wandering, miserable. alone, in
the beauty of that summer night?
Cecil" she cried, unconsciously, aloud.
Cecil my love! my own! How can /
! bear my life until you come back?'
Lady Niola-you, out here"
She started. and turning saw Lord
| Duncan standing beside her. Ever watch
full, he had seen her leave the room and
had followed her out
Il have brought you a wrap" he said
| holding out a white shawl which he had
noticed on one Of the chairs. ALLOW me
to put it on, Lady Viola. You must not
take cold-the night air is SO treacher-
| Gus"
! Before she could protest against it, he
had placed the shawl around her, and
| thrill of annoyance and disgust passed
| through her as she felt his hot hand
touch her neck.
lnvoluntarily she made quick move
ment away from him.
Thanks" she said, hastily. "You are
very kind, but / do not mean to stay
| out"
do not 90 in yet" he entreated 81
have not had moment with you, Lady
| Viola. You are so surrounded by ad-
mirers always, it is impossible to get "a
word with you!"
81 am sorry, but" She hesitated,
not wishing to be impolite, yet full of de
/ sire to escape him and regain the draw
/ ing room where she was safe at least
| from the attentions of the man she so
| disliked and feared
| He stood between her and the entrance
| to the hall. and unless he moved. She
could not pass him very WE'LL and, glanc-
! ing at his flushed face and bloodshot,
cleaning eyes, she felt afraid to be out
| here with him alone.
| please let me pass, Lord Duncan" she
! said, in as courteous a tone as she could
command. Il merely came out for a
| breath of air"
His eyes roamed over her exquisite
young form in its graceful clinging, low
cut gown, and rested hungrilv on the
! bare, white neck that shone like satin
! in the light of the moon. The wine he
had drunk cour-ed madly through his
veins he forgot everything save his wild
! passion and his vow to win this ice
maiden for his own
| do not GO he said, holding out his
! hand to her. Il want to speak to you,
to tell you what you are doing to me.
Viola, you are running my life-I am 60
ing to the dogs fast! Have you no pity {?
Must you be always cold as ice?"
81 cannot listen,' she answered. half
wildly. Let me pass, Lord Duncan.
You forget I am the Duke of Ester
courts promised wife"
a hoarse laugh broke from him, filling
her with terror.
"Estercourt's promised wife," he re,
peated. thickly. "IIa! ha! A pretty joke
| indeed! There is no Estercourt-he does
not exist"
The girl shivered and drew Ter wraps
more closely round her fair, White Shout
Gers.
81 must ask you, Lord Duncan, to kind
/ " let me pass | wish to 90 in she said,
in frigid tones.
you shall not 90 until you hear me. =
he burst out, reckles,ly. Lady Viola,
am a desperate man. love you.
and | tell you again-you shall never
be the wife of this man who has
dared to call himself the Duke of Ester
court. You think l have come here 10
mingle my wishes with the others-t to
congratulate him for having won your
love. but it is not so. l have come 70
expose him, to tell him what he is, in
front of those who have believed in him
most. When your lover returns it will
not be to love and 10y. but to shame and
everlasting disgrace. You had best for
get him, Viola. for you can never link
your life with his"
Viola stood listening with heaving
breast and white, set lips. A feeling Of
abiect fear came over her: for a moment
she could not move. As he ceased speak
ing. she heard the voices Of the merry
party inside. ehaCcng and laughing. and
someone was playing the catchy refrain
of comic opera waltz. No one had
missed her and had she cried ont her
voice would not have reached them. She