Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-03-10
CHAPTER l.

locality at any time OF year; lHe pest
that can be said in its favor Is that 1t IS
cheap. and presumably it is poverty alone
which crowds the tenants into the mar
row. comfortless houses.
The district visitor, familiar as she IS
with its every aspect of unlovellness,
makes little private grlmace as she
treads its hot pavement tins sWelterlhg
afternoon. She passes on in her long
oray cloak and simple veil, well-known
foire-as we'll known and rather more
ropuIar than the hard working parson
Who is supposed to direct her labors. As
a matter-of fact, SISTER JEAN TO give
hor the name by which she is known in
This moor corner of the overgrown city,
i in The habit of directing her own labors
and those of most people with whom she
comes into familiar contact, for she Is
nothing if not Independent.
"a woman must do one of three things
marry. or NOPE. or work." she said i'll
her downright fashion. Il can't marry
never had the chance-and don't sup
nose | ever shall, for green eyes and a
smlb nose are not the fashion apparently
and. luckily, my money is not enough
to outweigh my ugliness. Moping is not
in nv line either; so l must work"
But why not take up some particular
study-literature or music or some
tbing?'' some one feebly suggested.
Jean laughed again.
Because | have no talent. My writing
and ciphering are good might be clerk
or amanuensis and take the bread out OF
the mouth of poor, starving sister by
doing work which she needs, and would
do much better; but charity forbids, and
| mean to Sum-"
Several years have passed since Jean
CARLYLE came to this determination; but
she has Stunned" on perseveringly, and
has not tired OF it yet.
The women straighten themselves and
smooth down their aprons, and the Ian
guild children grin broadly at her as she
passes; but with a smile here, a nod
there. and n word to another she goes
steadily on her way until she crosses the
road and vanishes through an open door
way.
"Cissy, may l come up?" she calls at
the foot of the narrow staircase upon
which the door abruptly opens.
"Hush!" a warning voice answers from
above in a subdued whisper, and its ac-
cent is as refined and cultivated as her
own.
As Jean mounts the stairs slender
figure, clad in black, meets and embraces
her.
You good girl, to come through this
dreadful heat!" the girl says gladly, with
carefully suppressed enthusiasm. mo
one else would dare to venture out on such
day Come in here, will you? He has
fallen asleep"
10 hodrooY,, p+ilu f,,ruiS ha1
but neat and clean to a degree that is
found in no other house in Locke street.
The two women enter it on tip-toe and
close the door softly behind them.
How is he?' asks the newcomer
briefly
NO better; he coughed all last night
was so glad to see him fall asleep this
afternoon. lie lay on the sofa with book
and thought he was going to read, so l
took it out of his hand for fear it should
fall and vale HIM"
Then there is no news?"
The other answers with a dismal shake
of the head, and Sister jeans brows knit
in a thoughtful frown. There are no
chairs in the room; she has seated herself
on low wooden box. and the girl she
calls Cssy has curled herself up at the
foot of the iron bedstead, with her feet
tucked under her. She is young and pref
ty, with soft childish prettiness that
Is strangely ont of keeping with her sur
roundings Her soft yellow hair, cropped
close like boys, curls in charming little
Tlngs over her white forehead; but her
blue eyes, gazing pensivcly at her friend,
cloud sadly now, and she does not reply
IN words, for she is biting her sensitive
lip to hide its sudden quivering.
i should like TO have the handling of
those publishers for half an hour!" her
Trend calculates wrathfully. But don't
fret, dear, they said this week, and this is
only Wednesday,"
i know; l am not fretting. But,
Jeannie-when the book is out-there
will be the reviews."
OF course" JEANNE answers brisklv.
and then suppose yoa and Rupert will
be so uphfted that there will be no speak.
ing to YOU
No, indeed" Ruperts slender little
wife says, with proud flush in her deli
cate cheeks. Then her tone changes to
one OF mock indignation JEANNE Car
Iyle, she cries quickly, did l not forbid
you to bring that basket here again?"
Yes, Mrs. Dunstan, you did; nevertbe-
less, have brought it" laughs the other
Would you like to peep inside?"
Che quits her lowly place on the box
ana comes TO seat herself beside Cissv
Dunstan on the he'd. She opens her sub
S1antlal-looking basket to show the
luscious crimson of ripe, red strawberries,
nan veiled al cool green leaves.
You can't refuse!" she says gaily. 81
can see your mouth watering already 7"
one dettly pops Zig strawberry between
me hps half opened in further protest.
Hold your tongue and I'll explain. I had
great hamper sent up from the country
ms morning, expressly for distribution.
ana these are your share. Wasn't it good
o. Mrs Munrof 1 have told you about
her' have l not? She is the wife of
agatha Barclays GUARDIANSHIP sent me
constant sunnly Of nears and anrln- -