Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-06-04
CHAPTER I.
THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE.

roll-;no under the rapidly thinning
l,ranches of the trees. The fallen leaves
,,ode n CARPET for her feet and now and
lion Leaf. crimson or golden, would
+nttcr down upon her dless or her I'M
eo,ered hair. There was no sadness, for
her. in the waning glory Of the year. 1t
was springtime in her heart. Summer
she thought was fastening fast, crowned
with loves peerless roses
An artist would have set her young
beauty against background OF bud and
Ilosso,n. Her ewes were blue as violets;
her face as delcately tinted as a wild
,osn and her hair "blacker than ash buds
in The front of March," The happy dim
uIes plaved about her mouth. The color
came and went upon her cheek, as if
with sweet emotion.
The Glade where she walked might
have been a sylvan solitude, far from
the haunts of men, for any sign that
met the eyes; and yet it was within
mile or two of busy town, and it was
ouite close to Il hideous and substantial
dwelling, the abo,e and property of
Theobald Ryder, the principal lawyer OF
that town.
He was a prosperous man. His sharp
practice, though it had made him de
tested by great many people, had en-
abled him to crafty his own tastes in
most respects Wis 0'llara, his ward.
however, Lisliked Furnival House and all
that was in it-including the estimable
Theobald himself and this little WOOD
had ever been her favorite retreat
Here she had come, in her sad, lonely
childhood, to weep passionately over her
troubles, or to be happy with her own
fancies. Here she had stolen to pore
over romance, undetected-fOr Theo
bald Ryder was much too exemplary to
pcrlait novel readng-or to dream of Il
possible romance for herself, in later
years. And here, in days more recent
still, there had been for her glad hours
of dear companionship, Vague hopes, ana
tender fears and shy delight.
Now there was no more sadness in the
world, for in this very place, yesterday,
she had listened to the sweetest story
that ever was told.
The rising bank shut out, for her all
view of the grim old house, which had
been her only home since she was q child.
The sunshine turned the fading leaves TO
glory. She was waiting for her lover.
He came down the winding path to-
wards her-a tall stalwart, blonde young
man of about four and twenty. There
was something not quite English in his
aspect. His face was bronzed, and he
moved and held himself like one accus-
toned to much physical exercise.
Their first greetings over, Wis glanced
up shyly into her lovers face. What
She saw there illed her with troubled
surprise.
What is wrong, Jocelyn?'' she asked,
uttering his Christian name with a shy
ness that told it was new to her lips,
and tenderness that revealed how dear
it was to her heart.
"Why, dearest" the young man en-
swered, frankly, Il have met with re
buff | did not expect. Mr.. Ryder won't
hear of our marriage!"
Astonishment even more than dismav,
was in the girls face.
"But-what reason does he give ?"
NO reason that l consider justifies his
REFUSAL" returned Jocelyn. "He says
You are too young to think of marriage.
lie also objects to your leaving England.
These are mere excuses, it seemed to
me-"
Il cannot understand" murmured Ivis.
Nor could Jocelyn. He had endured a
great deal of suspense, after the self
torturing manner of lovers, upon the
previous day, but the confession of love,
from his darling's lips, had made him en-
tirely happy, and he had anticipated
only one result from his interview with
her guardian. Nobody knew his finan-
cial position better than Theobald Ryder.
From a worldly point of view he was a
hitting sutton for girl more favored by
fortune than beautiful Ivis O'IIara. In
her guardians house she was neglected,
shghted, and unapprcciated. AS his
wife, she would be loved and cherished.
and surrounded by all that a wealthy
and popular man could give.
My dearest girl" he said, gently but
resolutcly, IF we cannot get Mr.. Ryder's
consent to our marriage, we must do
without it! l cannot go back to Sydney
alone. | must take my wife with me"
All, Jocelyn-no!"
Yes! Are both our lives to be married
by withered old lawyers caprice? l
am not asking you to forsake any duty,
Tvs. L do not consider that you owe
any obedience to Mr.. Ryder in this mat
Ter. The mere fact of his having mar
red your mothers sister does not give
Iim tile right to be controller of your
fate"
Papa left me to his care" faltered
the girl.
Not guessing how he would abuse mis-
charge" replied Jocelyn, quickly. ooh.
iFis, give me a better right than his.
Let me make you my very own, and
take you to the happy home that waits
LOT You, and the friends who will vel
come you across the seal"
lie had told her yesterday of the fair
land where they would live together.
lie had described to her the very house
where he would take her, and the beau
uiul town by the sea, and the harbor,
With the stately ships coming and going.
ne new, strange future, with him, had
neen as fairy dream to her, who had
HnoWn so little happiness. And yet she
nesitated to take the course he urged
upon her.
1t Is not how You would like to come
% me, dear, l know" her lover said. 81
ave no friends in England to whom /
.ould take you; but if only you viii
trust me entirely. Won shall never repret