Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-01-23

up IoS AkTs. BerInger-you know it was y
Upon my word, Darnley, when / am
IN doubt as to my own motives, shall
nave TO ask you TO interpret them for
me"
The duchess, although she spoke sar-
casJlosity, did not speak with reproof
DaI'niey was her own cousin, and, as
such, was a privileged person.
aso You mean to be kind to Mrs. Ber-
niger = he asked, in an earnest under
tome. GU could be of incalcalz,ble serv-
soe TO her If you only would"
indeed" said her grace, coollv. 81
wonder what you are thinking I might
DO"
''Nou might invite her to Cromartie.' =
'9ndeed!" said her grace again.
AN invitation to CTomartie was one
of those things which those IN the outer
circle spoke of with bated breath. Gro
marties was the dukes country home.
and ito be asked there was 10 have the
world at your feet.
The Hen. Eustace, however, had made
ms request boldly, and seemed to await
an answer.
His motto in life vas, 4sIf you wart a
I5thipg, ask for it. If yo1 can't get it for
the asking, then try for ut IN some other
way"
lie sat and looked at his magnificent
cousin without any unnecessary awe.
His demeanor was just tempered with
that due respect she never failed TO in
spire.
She turned round on him little
sharply.
Pray, what is your motive for being
interested in this woniam?"
"She is very beautiful"
That | know; and, with me, it might
carry weight, for, being plain myself, l
am great admirer of beautiful women.
But it wouldn't weigh the toss of but
ton with you. Why don't you answer
me fairly and squareIv? Are YOU think
ing of marrying this Mrs. Beringerf''
1T isn't quite easy Tor q man to speak
fairly and squarely on such subjects, =
| said Darnley, with slight shrug of his
| shoulders. But, put IN the way of which
your grace is a past mistress, admit
the sole impeachment. I'confess l should
| rather like TO transform the beautiful
Mrs. Beringer into the Hon. Mrs. Eustace
Dalnley.''
What is her fortune?'
Eight hundred thousand"
1T is a large sum. But are you quite
sure? 1t doesn't do 10 trust to hearsay
| on such matters" remarked the duchess.
She was an aristocrat of aristocrats,
but she was keen woman of the world
into the bargain. Generous and open
| handed as the day where she chose, it
was said of her by every laborer on the
Cromartie estate that no one knew bet
ter how many beans made five.
1T doesn't do to trust to hearsay, YOU
know" she repeated. $50 many for
tunes have proved splendid myths, and
| these Americans are the worst of ALL"
THE money is all right. / have made
the most searching inquiries. 1t may be
more than eight hundred thousand. 1t
can't be a penny less"
And would she have you?" was the
next point blank question OF her grace.
Il have not yet done myself the honor
of putting that question definitely, but
you know me for modest man, duchess.
and win forgive me if [ say have not
much fear of the results. ] know pretty
well what Mrs. Beringer's answer will
be-"
"a good deal can be bought nowadays
with eight hundred thousand said the
duchess, reAectively
win for its fortunate possessor admit
tance into the house of Doom"
| He made graceful little bow towards
his cousin as he spoke, emphasizing the
| compliment to herself
She was not in the least deceived by
these marks of homage. She knew her
kinsman to be devoid of high principle.
profoundly selfish. cruel by nature, and
Ill of DIT h. -,
who stand by their family and order.
The man was Darnley, and therefore
entitled to come and ask big fav0rs at
! her hands.
| She considered for a moment or two.
| Then she said:
Il will think this over, Darnley, and
| / warn you / am not at all sure that |
can do as you wish. Personally, I am
/ disposed to like your Mrs Beringer She
| is beautiful, and I have an idea she is
| clever; / am sure she is plucky and
brave. She is fighting the world for a
certain position, and the world can be
| very hard TO woman in such fight"
Then you viii ask her to Cromartie ~
| Il don't say 80. l don't say it, even
| though | was going on to admit that
should be glad 10 see you married to
eight hundred thousand pounds. If the
woman herself thinks it fair exchange,
it is nothing to the point that / think
you are qualified TO make as bad hus-
| band as any man / know"
81 am honored," said Darnley, with a
good humored smile. The good humor
was not feigned. To him such blame
was praise
Hear me to the end. Because it is
important to keep our relatives respect
able, ] should be glad for you to get a
fortune by any means short of actual
swindling or low jobbery. But, mark
you, neither for this nor for any other
motive viii have her at Cromartie un-
less can feel tolerably sure 1 am not
breaking the faith l owe to society in
having her there"
Il agree with you. and pledge my
word that you may feel perfectly easy
on that point"
The duchess cast on him look which
was tinged with something like con
tempt.
do you think shall allow you to
| iudOe for me in such a matter? It is i'm