Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-06-23
CHAPTER ".

Sir Richard Bradford was member of
Parliament, and, in his own estimation, a
most important parsonage. No one, how
ever, took him quite seriously, and he
was generally regarded, by members on
both sides of the house, as a somewhat
pompous old windbag. The only persons
who did not share this opinion were Sir
Richard himself, his wife. and his only
daughter, Winifred. His home in Lowndes
square, where he reigned despotically
and ruled with a rod of iron, was famous
as a meeting place for diplomats, ambas-
sailors and cabinet ministers, while roy
atty even occasionally condescended to
grace his table. A bon -vivant himself,
the dinners which he gave We're invaria-
bly as dull and as formal as state ban
quets, but people went because there was
always sure to be someone there worth
meeting How so stupid a person as Sir
Richard succeeded in getting about him
such brilliant company was a mystery
u to everyone, but the mere fact that he did
q succeed was sufficient to make society
q coyet the honor of his acquaintance
In the bosom OF his family, Sir Rich
ard, unconscious of the contempt which
he excited among his equals and asso-
GATES, was self willed and selfish. His
wife and daughter feared him, the very
servants hated him. With his superiors
he was servile and crawling; only his
interiors and dependents were made to
feel the weight of his petty tyranny.
Wlthal he was more of a rogue than a
TOOL, but not enough of either to merit
distinction.
Winifred, his daughter, at the period of
her meeting with Robert Barralet. was
Just 20, and, as Cassandra herself had
been forced to admit, rather pretty
woman. Hers was delicate type of
beauty, she was frail and flower like
the very antithesis of Cassandra. She
had been described, by one of the wits
who visited her fathers house, as "prin-
cess in porcelaine," and the phrase had
gained currency in the set in which she
moved. Winifred was not without her
admirers, but her timid nature repelled
rather than attracted the men with whom
she mixed. 1t was not until she met
Robert that her second self (which every
woman possesses) awoke. Winifred in
love was very different from the earlier
Nmired. She was no longer timid and
fearful Armed with her new found love
There was nothing she would not do or
dare. Even Sir Richard ceased to hold
any teTrors for her Robert was at hand
70 counsel prudence. A man of the world
himself, and Bohemian into the bargain.
ne knew that Sir Richard would never
consent to regard him in the light of a
son-in-law. Hence he prevailed on her
70 keep their engagement a secret for the
present. This secret had somewhat de-
uacted from the girls happines, but in
one sense she was glad of it, for she
shrank from encountering her fathers
wrath. She would have to face his anger
one 81 these days, but anything which
FS'pohed that ordeal could not but be
welcome.
~ On the afternoon following her visit to
I'0erts studio. Winifred and her mother
were entertaining some visitors, when Sir
hlchard Unexpectedly returned fully an
Holr before his usual time. Both NVini-
4Ieo and her mother were somewhat dis
concerted by his early arrival. and both
Immediately thought that something was
fong, Tor Sir Richard, as they knew
" experience, was a most methodical
an regular man. His manner. however.
"a Ials occasion, left nothing to be de-
sired; indeed, his mood was more nearly
sSAiai than they had ever known it to be.
az chatted freely with the guests, and at
IA4es was almost brilliant: and when
IAey mad gone, he sat on talking with his
we and daughter in the most friendly
III Ii.e cohdescending manner imaginable.
LIZ t,,s words were kindly and thoughtful,
- eet a less interested observer than either
- me TWO women he had for audience
, ~2.-u nave discovered that, beneath his
AIN and placid exterior, there lurked