Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-02-06

2 There was to be an autumn session of
Parliament. This meant that she and
the duke must go back to town, and it
was her intention TO give a ball which
YVES TO be the function of the season. She
had made out list OF the people she
thought of inviting a week ago. In that
list there figured the name of Emerald
Beringer
1t was not TO be thought of that
she should be included now, after all
the mischief she had wrought, and the
duchess took up her pen and deliberately
scored out the obnoxious name.
Scarcely had she done so when the door
opened, and in came the duke.
what are YOU so busy WITH" was his
question.
II am making a list of the people
whom we think of asking TO our ball, -
she answered, dreading lest he should ask
to look at it.
MAY l hear them?''
She read out the names. of course omit
ting Emcrald's
You have forgotten one lady" was
his quiet observation, when she had fin
ished.
Whom, pray4n And her lips com
pressed themselves, and she felt con-
strietion at her heart.
Mrs. Beringer."
81 do not intend TO invite Mrs. Ber-
niger"
He leaned over the back of her chair
and looked at the list, which she still
held in her hand. He pointed with his
| forefnger to the name that had had the
pen run through it.
why has that been crossed out?" he
asked, and there was something of stern
; ness in his tone
| Because, although a week ago I had
some Thoughts of inviting her, now do
not choose tor she replied, defantly.
"And why not 2"
| As he asked the question he stood
away from her chair, and drew his tail,
thin figure to its full height.
The duchess, as if involuntarily, ross.
and faced him. She felt that the mo
ment for fighting was come.
Il have never before been asked by YOU
for the reasons which regulate the choice
of my friends she said. in coldly cut
ting tone; '!and it is a little strange that
Won should go out of your way to do so
now. ] do not hesitate to reply that /
consider Mrs. Beringer a woman whose
character and conduct unfit her to be my
| friend"
"And You can say this of a lady who
| is a guest beneath your roof at this very
moment!" cried the duke, warmly. while
a red flush suffused his features. Bar
bara, ! am ashamed of you"
Ashamed" she repeated. almost chok-
ing with resentment In all their mar
ried life he had never addressed such a
word as that TO her before
eyes" he repeated, standing on the
hearthrng, tall, and thin, and stately, and
looking every inch a duke. His firm,
clever mouth was tightly shut; there was
stern displeasure in his dark blue eyes.
1T is unworthy of YOU TO invite lady
TO your home, and then discard her for
such paltry feelings as actuate you now.
l presume, however, / may have a voice
IN regard to the guests invited to my
mouse. desire that Mrs. Beringer's name
may be included in that list. Pray re-
member this
And, still holding himself very stiff and
stately, he walked out of the room.
The duchess stood like one dumbfound-
ed for quite couple of minutes: then
she sat down before her desk again. and
bowed her face above her hands, while
tears slowly welled into her eyes.
How deeply she loved her husband few
people guessed. She was a cold woman.
little given to show her feelings to the
world; but, in truth, he was the very
idol of her being.
As her tears flowed she sat thinking.
Then suddenly the door opened. There
was only one person who, unlimited and
unannounced, might enter her private
sitting room. She did not turn her head
She knew 1t was the duke come back.