Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-05-12
A TORTOISE OF SENTIMENT.

n IUH UiSL w SLi iHL4ft'
Seton Keywood had decided to spend
the summer in q little Hampshire cot
taec. with the cgotism Of temporary
proprictor.hip he had arrogantly ignored
the fact that another cottage lay side by
side with his own But that was before
hi. installation within the rural abode
had made it clear that for a neighbor he
had a girl who dressed in white and wore
ravishingly broad, shady hats. 1t was
then that he discovered that he was liv-
ing next to a place Of Importance.
There are times when the presence Of
n hedge becmne5 almost nsnpportable
The systematic laying Of a white cloth
upon an afternoon tea table beneath
chestnut tree is a preliminary to poor
sport-if it be on the wrong side Of the
hedge kcywood's stare grew more hun
gry each day until the maid servant in
impotcut resentment was wont to shake
out the tablecloth with violence that
sent bees and insects cumming alright
cdlv from the scene, There was an elder
lv lady, too, who came out from the
house ut rare intervals happy IN the pos
session Of reflected glamour. Beyond that
She did not count
Keywood was walking slowly upon his
side Of the hedge lie was wondering
how long il was to last, this isolation Of
his. Then he stopped suddenly. his eyes
attracted by the sight Of a small yarie
gated dome That lay beneath a mass of
Towering stock. As he lifted it a snake
like head wagsed in protest ere it with
drew within the shell. 1t was motion
less tortoise that he held.
Such creature is not wont to travel
abroad in wanton recklcssncss. nor was
it sufficiently ETHEREAL 10 have dropped
from the skies. Haywood was lost in
idle wonder when n light footstep sound
ed upon the other side Of the hedge The
girl in white was almost abreast OF
where he stood. lie moved hastily for
ward. his hat in one hand, the tortoise
ontstrctched in tifte-uvs.erl
u beg your pardon" he began, but =
think this is yours"
The gray eyes upon the other side Of
the hedge opened wide.
"Oh. no" protested the girl, Il have
never kept tortoise in my life"
Neither have |" retortcd Keywood.
There was an awkward pause.
Night it not have arrived from some
where elsc?' suggested the girl at length
Haywood scOwlcd at the thing in his
hand,
Il suppose So" he admitted. regret
fully Then for the second time he be.
came inspired.
Would you like it," he asked.
It was with intense eagerness that he
watched the blush that mantled upon the
girls embarrassed face. Heavens. She
was going TO accept At all events aston
ishmcnt had deprived her of the means
OF refusal.
Snatching gigantic rhubarb leaf from
its stalk he wrapped the reptile within
it, \ second later it lay within the girls
unwilling hand.
Haywood returned TO the house filled
with a variety of emotions lie had seen
n schdolboy present pig tailed girl with
a pcppermiut-and he had laughed lie
wondered why.
The next day he walked through the
bed OF stocks in reminiscent mood 70
his surprise he found the tortoise there
once more. lie remained by its side until
he saw the iluttcr of white dress
Your tortoise" he said as he handed
il bnck
He Ncnturcd some comment upon the
habit of the creatures He was clad To
sec her smile.
The following day he returned to tho
spot where the stocks hloomcd lie knew
/ hat he had little right to expect il to be
here, Yet IFS absence filled him with a
furious sense of disappointment
4