Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-10-07
LADY HOLLANDS DEBT.


needle darted in and out of the pretty
silk, catching some stray sunbeams on
its cleaning point sunbeams that flick
cred first on the gided picture frames,
lastly on the curly head of the little
seamstress who sat sewing near the win
dow. The easements were thrown wide
open, and in with the sunshine came
peas and syringa from the old-fashioned
garden outside.
The summers beauty made the indus
trious worker sing lightly to herself,
though heaven knows there was not much
cause for song in little Clssy Blackwood's
life unless it were that she was the belle
of Wellesley, and had the brightest brown
eyes and the sunniest curls YOU could
wish for. And it was only the village
boys who discovered how charming and
refined Cissy was and how melodious the
clear voice that was now daring to carol
within the gloomy walls of Holland
court.
Anstey Cheshurst, second son of the
widowed Lady Holland, found quite Il
number of excuses which carried him
into his mothers boudoir. where the
clever fingers made up elaborate toilets
for his women folk. All! those presses.
those hours of patient labor! Many a
month had Cissy waited and many a
month more was she likely to wait for
the money which was owing to her.
Such large sum that it was suf-
ficiently alarming to cause another line
beneath Lady Hollands ewes as she
planned and plotted each wakeful night
on the difficult problem, viz, how to
keep up appearances" rank, Holland
Court and town residence on next to
nothing a year. True, her eldest dauph-
ter was disposed of to a penniless young
baronet--oh. dear! that trousseau, how
the money did mount up-but there were
still three damsels for sale. So far their
education, smart dresses and lack of
wearying accomplishments had failed to
have the desired effect, and no or .
seemed disposed to pay Lady Hollal
as a chaperon, seeing what diff
she had in settling her own daughte
Still, rich Miss Ingots, her pre-
guest, seemed undoubtedly impressed
with her unmarried son, with his hand
some bearing and ready tongue. His sole
income, a legacy, was only small com
pared with the figures of the ladv's for
tune. His wild oats" were well known
in Molesley, but ~cauty covers q multi
tude of sins, so Miss Ingots approved of
him, faults and all.
So far, so good. But Anstey, well
aware of his mothers intentions. took a
Win IN, oil o4o1r -
teasing the heiress, delaying all efforts
to secure this golden treasure with the
most irritating GOODNESS. He knew quite
well how, to charm Miss Ingots, and he
knew equally web how to be the perfect
ideal of manly attraction. And Anstey
enjoyed himself thoroughly, increased the
number of stolen interviews and looked
down admiringly at the lovely face that
frightened at his coming. He had al
ways preferred wild roses to gardenia.
you must not come and talk to me
any more, Mr. Anstey; it would vex her
ladyship terribly if she found it out
Please keep away" said Cissy. But her
voice lacked emphasis and Anstey did
not keep away. Though tolerably in awe
of his lady mother he thoroughly en-
loyed stealing a march on her and the
sedate Miss Ingots, who, poor thing,
could not purchase Cissy's youth and
sweetress-in spite of the tempting adj
vertisements--with all her wealth.
The first steps were soon taken others
following quite naturally. Anstey found
out where the young seamstress lived
and was to be found at the gate great
deal too often, so Cissy said, but as she
smiled iresistibly up at him while saw
ing so the cuiprit was not deferred from
coming again at the first opportunity.
| Anstey was honorable enough to feel
both worried and indignant on learning
the extent of his mothers debt when
Cissy conided to him how very much
she would like the money
Il shall feel quite rich then" said Cissv
| loyfully, for | have quite a lot of
money in the bank. You see. | have no.
body to spend it on. for l haven't a rela
tion in all the world"
Lucky little woman" sighed Anstev
All, don't know about that. You
| like to belong to someone and feel they
care about YOU"
You know I care"
The remainder of the conversation was
incoherent
Your account shall be settled in a
/ week OF Two, my lady promised with
the air of one who confers an unspeak
able benefit. Il have overlooked It for
quite long time, but there have been
SO many things to see to-"
What kindness! WHAT condescension,
Cissy was surely to be envied as she
folded the costly brocade round my ladv's
gaunt figure, murmuring inaudible thanks
with her mouth full of pins. And yet
the weeks passed by and no money APP
peared. Cissy began to feel more and
more anxious. She grew restless under
my lady's calm patronage.
Perhaps it was the memory of Ger.
tain face, the echo of whispered words.
that caused the patient worker to wait
still longer, planning fresh attire with
unfailing cleverness and success. Even
Miss lngots in her Partisan creations
| looked overdressed and vulgar beside the