Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-07-06


her head very erect and said in a voice
that scarcely trembled, so bravely did she
control it.;
"He might have let me know sooner.
But it is better late than never Yes!
Anything is better than that / should
have married such a man as his conduct
proves him to be. | regard it as a for
tunate escape"
oh, yes! 1t is all very we'll for you,
Kathleen" broke out Mrs. Derrick,
whose rage and modification were grow
ing more uncomfortable every moment
You seem only to think of yourself, you
selfish girl. You appear to have no
thoughts whatever for the public humil-
iaton inflicted on me-and on your fa-
thcr"
Really, my dear, really" remonstrat-
ed the squire.
Hold your tongue, Phemius" cried the
Infatuated lady. Il say | am surprised
at Kathleen's selfishness in taking it so
calmly and thinking only of herself
when it is | who have issued all the in
vitations, and it is | who shall be made
"a public laughing stock of by having
to cancel them. You might
have some regard for this aspect OF che
matter, miss, | DO thlnK.
Il am sorry for you and father, mother
very, very sorry. But what am I to
o." said Kathleen, her face white to the
lips.
DO! Do! You ought to-to-make
the wretch marry you!" cried out Mrs
Derrick, absolutely beside herself
ooh. come! / say" protested Charles
Carrrthers, goaded into remonstrance by
his pity for Kathleen.
what business is it of yours, sir?'
retorted Mrs. Derrick, now turning the
full force of her fury upon him. IF
you were half a man you'd do something
instead of standing there and saying oh,
comet like poll parrot"
Anything that l can do, ! will do,
believe me-" said Charles Carruthers,
earnestly. 81 am deeply sensible of the
wrong my brother has done you. and if
you think that any action on my part
can mitigate it, you have only to com
mand me. | cannot say more.
1t was now that Kathleen spoke. The
girls face was paler than before, and
her carriage more proud and erect.
you mean that, Capt. Carruthers ?"
she demanded, looking him steadily, I'M
hinchingly in the eyes.
Il do" he replied.
"Then," she said, quietly, will you
take your brothers place and marry me
tomorrow"
1t was Il dramatic moment Charles
Carruthers was, for the instant, utterly
taken aback. He could find no words in
which to answer her.
"Will your" she repeated, in the same
# he
was past all caring.
He drew himself up-a fine figure of.
straight, honorable man.
Il WILL" he answered.
For some seconds dead silence reigned.
This sudden, startling denouement had
taken everybody by surprise; as people
what they have done on the impulse of
a critical moment.
The squire was the first to find his
tongue
"Tut-tut! God bless my soul But this
is madness. | cannot allow it. You
two-almost strangers, not loving one
another-you must be out of your senses
to think of such a thing"
There Is no question of love, dad"
answered Kathleen. Love within me is
dead forever-that letter has killed it.
But | will marry Capt. Carruthers. if he
will nave me, to 81 are mother and you
public humiliation, and also to let his
brother see" (she laughed a hard, unnat-
ural laugh chow little ! care"
My dear" said the squire, turning to
his wife; my dear, we cannot-we must
not allow this insane thing"
But Mrs Derrick, who had already
caught new hopes of escaping the UNI
speakable humiliat on III canceing the
wedding arrangemt nts discerned in an
instant all the advantages of the sug-
gestion. Capt. George Carrutners was
unknown by sight to any of the wedding
guests Except his sister, who could
doubtless be persuaded to keep her own
COUNSEL; and no one need know that
Capt. Charles Carruthers was not the
original bridegroom. So she said:
Il don't agree with you at all. Phe-
minus. / consider that Kathleen is be-
having like girl of spirit, and Capt
Carruthers like man of honor. BY all
means let him take his brothers place
tomorrow, | say. 1t is the best repara
ton he can possibly make.
'The only question is about the IL
cense; but l dare say a special license
can be procured in time, if we set about
it ut once There is time for Capt. Car
ruthers 10 go to London and return by
mid day tomorrow, if he starts at once
And | should think that that is the best
course What do you say, sir?"
II am in your hands. l will start for
London by the next train" replied the
captain, quietly.
Once more the squire tried to raise his
voice i'll protest; but his wife sienced
him.
Then she rang the bell and ordered
the Garage to be round in five minutes
Charles Carruthers managed to pro-
cure the special license in time. and next
day he led Kathleen Derrick to the altar
As they drove away together, en- route
for Killarney, where they were to spend
their honeymoon, Charles, with his arm
round Kathleen, laughed merrily into her
roguish eyes.
well, darling, we've put the job
through all right, he said. But was
in blue funk all the while, lest some
hatch should arise. | can tell Won"