Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-04-28
CHAPTER vIn.-(continued.)

lean to undress her.
II IS getting late when the latter comes
,o-r and announces that both children
aro in bed and asleep; and that she and
Mrs Halliday must hasten home. Gerald
thanks her grayely for her Kindness, but
che hastily disclaims any merit in the
deed
..Tbev are Agatha's children" she re
minds him quickly, "and l am kind of
;oint Guardian. When are you going to
hiring them to see us, Mr.. Barclay!"
He glances at his work loaded table.
81 am very busy" he says reluctantly.
perhaps when they 60 to Mrs. Dun
She looks at him little proudly.
ooh. no doubt" she says, eve can per
shade Cissy to bring them, if you would
rather not!
II returning her glance with weary sad
moss "You are very good, but l would
rather not.
Uncle Jerry, mayn't talk YETI"
Gerald lifts his hand without looking
M from his writing.
'''Wait another minute, old chap, then
YOU may"
Keith signs, an audible, long drawn
sigh. and wriggles impatiently on the
sofa.
INV foot hurts" he murmurs softly.
"P'raps it will break again if | don't
move soon. Uncle Jerry, if you was a
boy"
IF | were a boy I'd learn little gram
mar" laughs Gerald. 'Now, here is my
watch; don't you utter another word for
five minutes, and then III give up my
work and tell you a story"
He goes back to his desk, and the
scratching of his rapid pen is the only
sound in the quiet room, until the al
lotted time expires. Then, just as he
rises there comes a knock at the door,
and a voice familiar but most unexpected
inquiries
Amy one at homer"
Eleanor" exclaims Gerald, as Mrs.
Munro walks in. "The very last person
| expected to see-and the one of all I
would wish to see"
''Really?" cries Eleanor gaily. "Why,
Jerry, you have grown complimentary
1Ou b"u wy ~ was IAlAS VIC SStiAIC W
rout you out :"
We'll, you see, this poor chaps ankle
has made prisoners of us both, or we
should have run down to Hazeldene by
now" Gerald says, wilfully misinterpret-
ing her reproach. you are sight for
sar Gen. And where is Blair?"
Busy in the city. &c dropped me here,
and will come Cor me in an hour or so.
Are you sure this is the invalid? You
look by far the worse of the two
Appearances are deceitful. That young
gentleman has let cab wheel go over
his ankle and it has broken the small
bones | am thinking of claiming him up
by the other foot, as the only means of
keeping him still"
Poor little mani" Mrs. Munro says
alphabetically, as she sits down by the
sofa to make friends with the boy, who
responds readily to her overtures and
gives her graphic account of his acct
dent. When are you going for holt
day. she asks presently when she and
Gerald are alone. VERY soon, hope"
Il do not know; the children are going
to Hazeldene next week, if Keith's foot
Is well enough, and then | may take
day or two"
I heard" she says, surveying him crit
really, that you were looking very i'll,
but did not expect to find anything
quite SO cadaverous. Is there anything
wrong with you, Jerry 2"
Nothing, thanks"
No money difficulties 2"
No, am fourishing exceedingly Who
has been narrowing your kind soul about
me?"
JEANNE Carlyle principally. She spent
shire"
oh, by the way" he says abruptly,
have you her address? l have a piece
OF news should like to tell her"
Private and confdential?" asks
Eleanor, smiling
But the smiles meets with no response
No. ne answers simply. 1T concerns
great friend of hers, but it will do
"hen Mrs, Halliday returns. She is away,
jerry" she says quietly, "why don't
you marry JEANNE Carlyle?"
For the best of reasons" he answers.
VAIN short laugh-"she will not have
"0h. jerry Are you sure?o
Painfully So"
but perhaps you spoke too soon, or
S"P old not know her own mind?"
ne shakes his head in silence.
Veil, she says, with long drawn
uieath, you do amaze me. | have been
4ouslng you ever since l saw her. because
thought you had never asked her,
Then for the first time in your life, I"
ne says affectionately, you blamed me
And I humbly apologize" she saws
serightly But you are very good
We are not even that, now"
But, Jerry, why?"
ne shrugs his shoulders.
II you know anything at all about it !"
ne says gruffly, you must know Miss
'aF!yles opinion of me-"
~, thought l knew" she saws softly. 81
c rcraS SO still. am not going to betray
condolences yoa but, if you think She disfkes
'V You you must be very Blind
dn 1erai d looks away from her, and
sl-i1 hush creeps up under his sallow