Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-06-23
CASSANDRA'S FOLLY.

a nervousness of manner which occasion
ally deted his best efforts at concealment
Presently he got out of his chair, and
glanced hurriedly at his watch.
Bless my soul!" he exclaimed. Il had
no idea it was so late. | dine tonight
with the German ambassador, and after
wards | have to speak in the House.
Goodness only knows how | shall man.
age to get through it all. BY the way,
Winnie, my dear, l should like to have
few words with you before | dress for
dinner. VIII you come with me to the
hbrary?"
Wlnifred, wondering what he could
have to say to her that was not for her
mothers ears also, gave a ready consent,
and went with him to the room which
OF all others was sacred to his most pri
vate schemes. Arrived there. Sir Richard
motloned her to chair, and then. care
fully closing the door, he seated himself
IN the chair before his desk. and fixed
his eyes on her. There was something OF
reproach in his gaze, something of ad-
mlratlon also, and Winifred flashed guilt
lily under his steady scrutiny.
What is it you wish, papa" she
asked, at length.
How old are your" her father counter
queried
Twenty, papa"
"Ah, yes; of course. | had forgotten
for the moment. Hum! 1t has always
been my dearest wish, Winnie. to see
you well married You know that: YOU
and l have spoken often on the subject
Well, my dear girl, you will be pleased
| hux OF
sutton for your hand, one who in every
way comes up to our requirements. He
has rank and wealth; he is young and
handsome What more could we ask 2"
He glanced at his daughter anxiouslv.
Winifred, her hands tightly clasped, her
face deathly pale, sat staring hopelessly
down at the pattern in the carpet Her
father was quick to read these signs He
started to his feet, and crossing the room,
turned the key in the lock. Then he
came back and stood over her in a threat
ening attitude.
Look here, Winifred," he began stern
ly, you have just got to do this thing
that ] say. Do you understand"
Father" Her agonized appeal fell
on deaf ears.
81 have no room in my schemes for
any silly sentiment in which you may
choose to indulge" He spoke coldlv.
harshly. IF YOU have disobeyed my in
structions, and INDUCED in any stupid
Irritation with anyone, | warn you that,
from this moment, it must cease. / have
been watching you rather closely of late:
there has been some change in you.
am not quite blind, but have only Just
realized what it is that has brought
about that change. You fancy you are
in love. You will soon get over that
childish nonsense"
'Never!" Winifred sprang to her feet
with flashing eyes.
Listen to me, my child" said her
father, in a slightly altered tone "My
honorary, my life depends on you
have pledged your hand to this man. and
if you refuse to marry him, shall be
ruined
what do you meant" she asked feebly.
Simply this: the man to whom you
are promised has got me in his power
Your hand is the price of his silence
Winifred, you must, You shall consent.
1t is not as though he were in any way
ineligible. He has youth, and wealth,
and rank; everything that is needed to
rifice ] am asking. Think what it means
to met"
His voice broke. and something like
sob rose in his throat. Winifred sank
back on to her chair, pale and trembling
"You promise :"
"His name 2" she asked.
HE is known as Ivan Nolfsky That
however, is only an assumed name: he
is deeply involved in political schemes.
and at present he is suffering under the
displeasure of the Gar. His real name
is Prince Demetrius Batschikoff This.
by the bye, is a rough sketch of him.
He put a small sheet of paper in her
hand and she glanced at it with languid
interest. The young man of the sketch
was decidedly handsome; he had large
eyes, and an imperial, with big dropping
moustaches. but the mouth was a cruel
one, and the eyes conveyed an expression
of malicious hatred. She caught sight
of the artists initials, and the drawing
slipped from her fingers and futtered to
the floor. 1t was one of Roberts rough
sketches!
'Well?" asked Sir Richard anxiously.
Father, you must give me time to
think Tonight tomorrow l will tell
you"
every good But. remember, my life
depends on your decision"
He opened the door for her, and she
wen. slowly out of the room.
Sir Richard flung himself back in his
chair
"Bah!' he thought "What a fool
am to worry. OF course she will con-
sent!"
CHAPTER V.
Cassandra Foscari paced angrily up and
down her rnnm Her mind was In q state