Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-04-14
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Winter is over and gone, the grass is
growing green on Rupert's grave, and
Gssv's Grape is beginning to look shabby.
Gerald's efforts to find her friends have
50 far proved futile. and she still lives by
herself. in the pretty little rooms where
her husband died. and works hard at the
eopving with which Gerald provides her.
He has found her constant employment
among his literary acquaintance, and she
has become known to pretty wide circle
AS a painstaking and accurate amanuen-
sis.
Of course it is not long before she dis
covers that something is wrong between
Jerry and her old friend, Sister Jean. She
cannot help seeing that they steadily
avoid one another; that if they happen to
meet they exchange the barest eivilities;
that one never visits her at an hour when
the other is to be present. But it takes
her a long time to make up her mind to
approach Gerald on the subject. Kind as
he has been to her she is little afraid of
him; she knows nothing of his past his
tory. and finds him singularly unap-
proachable in some of his moods. He is
SO silent about himself that she finds it
almost impossible to break through his
reserve and it is not till Jean has one day
been betrayed into something like bitter
ness. and told her sharply that Gerald
Barclay is not worth making such hero
Of that she timidly ventures to ask him
any questions.
Il know it is no business of mine," she
says, her wistful blue eyes scanning his
impassive face you two were friends
long before she sent you to us, but can
not understand how it is that you should
so have drifted apart. Have you quar-
reled?"
NO, not quarreled exactly; have con-
trived mortally to offend Miss Carlyle,
that is ALL"
But is there not some mistaken" the
little widow asks eagerly. Gould not
you set it rightf"
Il cannot deny the truth" he answers
simply, "and she has that against me
which she says she will never forget"
Cissy lays a small hand on his arm and
her blue eyes are filling with tears.
But she might forgive" she says
sweetly. That is not difficult when one
cares. Have you ever asked herr" He
shakes his head.
But could you not? Perhaps she
thinks you do not care, but you do. I
have seen it for long time, but did not
like to interfere"
You are good child" he says, with
some difficulty; "but you do not under
stand and l cannot tell you"
1T seems so hard" she sobs in distress,
that you two, who do so much good, and
spend your lives for other peoples benefit,
should make one another unhappy! If
Rupert and l had ever guarded"
My dear" he interrupts hastily, don't
compare Miss Carlyle and myself to you
and Rupert"
Il beg your pardon" she says humbly.
Il ought not to have said it, but at one
time there seemed a chance-Rupert
thought so and so did l."
Gerald controls himself by strong eff
tort. He has already spoken as sharply
as he ever speaks to her, and his voice is
studlously gentle as he presses and let's
fall her little hand.
You must not think so any more; you
must never hint at such a thing to your
friend, unless"-his lips relax into a slight
smlle-"you want to get into hot water
too"
Clssy smiles wistfully.
L wish you would ask her forgive
ness she urges. II am sure she would
grant it. 1t can be nothing very bad that
You have done-and she is so good, you
know"
1 know and for unreasoning, unjust
resentment commend me to really good
woman" he rejoins bitterly.
Oh, Gerald, it is not like you to sheer
at women!"
No" he says sadly, q have no reason,
except that man is apt to sheer at what
is above his comprehension"
lie has effectually closed the subject of
himself and Sister Jean. and Cissy feels
that she cannot reopen it.
Have you heard the latest about Ger
aid Barclay?" Mr. Hayter inquiries of
Miss Carlyle one fine spring evening.
when she has been beguiled to his
mothers house for a little wholesome dis
sipation
No; is it anything very serious o. she
inquiries earelesslv.
On, but you two are great friends
perhaps you are in his confdence!" the