Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-12-20

great deal older than the eldest there.
She surveyed the newcomer with q
gaze Of honest surprise, but quite devoid
of embarrassment
How ever did you discover our secret
chamber!" she exclaimed. Il thought
that only ourselves-that is, and this
happy family-knew of itl''
II hope I'm not intruding.r he said
doubtfully. Il heard the music first III
all, and that led me to investigates
Come in" she said, Hospitality. ssYou
may, you know. The owner of this dear
old house never comes near it. The
whole place is left to the rats and bats
except when some one, like yourself. HIS
a wish to explore it,
This is o Christmas treat" the p;rl
went on. We've been looking forward
to it for ever so longl Haven't we
girls" a glad chorus of Yes, Miss
lLaverston,' was the response. Archeson
started. and looked at ler with even
greater attention. Here, then, was the
truant-Lady Lav>tston's errant grand
daughter.
Chris Curtis was coming in to have
dinner with us; but he's played us false"
she went on, as she graciouslv extended
the freedom Of the family circle to Philip
Archeson. He's Bridget's eldest brother.
and quite nice boy when he's not with
his own gang, playing cards and gam
bling We wanted some one masculine to
help us. But you'll do just as we'll
that is, If you're not in a hurry.' He
found himself shaking his head.
Then suppose we start with blind
mans bluff, and well blindfold Won
Shrieks Of delight uprose from the chill
dren at this suggestion, and they
crowded around the astonished barrister
Il hope you've no objection she added.
with sudden politeness.
oh, none whatever!" he murmured
! He submitted tamely to being blindfoId-
ed, and presently shrill cries and sounds
OF ecstatic mirth resounded through the
room. Never since the days of his
youth had Archeson enjoyed himself so
much, and he felt little more than a boy
himself among those happy children and
with that bright faced girl, who ruled
them with a scepter of love. Other
games followed, but presently she feared
that they might be demanding too much
of his good nature, and, leaving the chill
dren to their own devices, she offered to
show him over as much of the Towers
as he had not yet visited
I'D been saving for months she de-
clared, 80 that the children might hold
feast today. Dear little ones, they hard
! ly know what Christmas dinner means
But | meant them to this year. And
then, after it was all arranged, it nearly
/ fell through. | had asked nv grand.
mother to let me have this day free. not
telling her why, because this room IS my
secret retreat, where | come when-when
| feel myself the victim of-tyrannv.
But fortnight ago grandma suddenly
] took it into her head to invite a friend
an old grabbed lawyer from London-to
spend Christmas with her. But that was
not by any means the worst" She still
stood before him, and looked at him
with solemn gray eyes. "She instructed
me to make myself very pleasant and
charming-as if | could do that ito this
withered old person, because she had de-
cided that he would make very suitable
husband for any one 50 headstrong as
myself" -
Archeson smothered an "Ohl' and
listened with becoming gravity
1 The thought of disappointing the chill
dren was bad enough. but this was the
last straw that decided me to play tru-
ant. 1t was dreadfully wrong, of course
--she shook her head sagely. But" and
she turned face toward him whose
brightness seemed to bewilder him, could
+ / disappoint the children?'
The barrister's heart began to beat in
an odd manner Certainly not he re-
sponded, forgetting the disloyalty such
an answer held in it toward Lady LAYER
ston. He was conscious that the girl was
beginning to exercise a charm over him.
And he was suddenly glad that certain
binding words he had intended addressing
TO Mrs. Clarence had remained unspoken.
The girls voice broke in upon his
thoughts.
Am | the kind of girl to marry a
crusty old lawyer" she demanded, her
gray eyes filled with mischievous fire.
her mouth set in mutinous lines.
1T would be terrible fate to overtal<e
you, no doubt" he responded, gravely
But he mightn't be so very ancient, YOU
/ know!"
He's certain to be! All grandma's
friends are old. And in all probability he
has mutton-chop whiskersl Now do YOU
think | should make at all a suitable
wife Tor man with gray mutton-ch
whiskers?'
you don't think that any possible in.
| ducement might make you alter your
mind and accept this doddering old
parchment bound dry -dust?"
A vivid smile crossed her face. Moth.
ing she replied. The man my mind is
bent upon marrying is the owner of this
housee!"
| "Ah!"
That is whom | am waiting for But
| shall read him lecture when he makes
his belated appearance. l shall say to
nm; SIR, here is this lovely place left
to rack and ruin. You must do vonr
duty toward it, and restore it, and make
1t hahltable once more. And then, shall
add, II you would care to propose to me,
| might accept you, because should love
60 be mistress of the Towers; but a new
Towers, a Towers finely restored, not
draughty ruin"
Perhaps he may turn out TO be quite
an elderly person, grim and staid; some
] ~. Il