Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-03

the sound of footsteps and a few income
rent words from jim.
Gatty held her breath. Then came a
pause. a scufiiing noise, and a shrill ex-
clamation promptly suppressed.
He has fainted Hush, Bah, remem-
Der mother' said Sage. Fetch Eliza
BETH" she added.
Gatty came down a few steps and
stood there, trembling. Cousin Jim was
lying in the hall with his white face up
turned in the full light of the lamp, and
Sage had his head on her lap and was
christening his collar.
Don't 'be frightened dear she said,
CHANGING at her sister. "Ah, here comes
Elizabeth"
Elizabeth, the essence of respectability
in her black dress and white cap and
apron, was tower of strength She
promptly relieved Sage of her burden,
and applied remedies with such effect
that in a few minutes the young mans
eyes opened.
What on earth" he began; then he
started violently and gave an inarticu-
late cry. let me go-don't keep mel"
he exclaimed.
1T is all right, Cousin jim" Sage said,
and when she spoke Jim seemed to come
to a full comprehension of his surround
ings.
ibid I-fainty" he asked, frowning
perplexedly. What confoundedly stu
pid thing to do! remember now, was
trying to explain. but il is my head"
'To be sure. sir; and l think you'd
best let me help you upstairs and 60
straight to bed" said Elizabeth. He
made some inarticultee remonstrance,
but allowed the old servant to guide him
up the short flight of stairs.
The three girls stood in the hall, look
ing blankly after the retreating figures
Then Gatty began to laugh in fashion
more suggestive of tears than of mirth
and Sage caught hold of her and pulled
her into the coy, brightly-lighted din
ingroom, where tempting meal had
been prepared for the traveller.
For goodness sake, Gatty don't &C
into hystericsi How silly you are!" said
Barbara, impatiently.
Don't be cross, Bah" Sage said, re
provingly. Poor Gatty was frightened
and so were you, l expect. | am sure
you must both want your tea; l will
rake it at once, Bah, if YOU will run VI
and speak to mother. Dent frighter
her; tell her that-that Cousin Jim a
rived with bad headache. and has gone
straight to his room"
Barbara hurried away, and as soon as
the door had closed behind her Gatty re
heved her mind of its burden.
Sage, Cousin Jim isn't ill" she an
nounced in a tremulous voice. Il an
ala id that he is--drunk! Lewis ant
Bates both said So
Sage looked completely taken aback.
"Oh, hush!" she said quickly. The
men were mistaken dear; don't say any
more about it. | am sure that the poo
fellow looks terribly ILL.,"
Barbara was the only one of the trio
who made much progress with her ties
that evening. As soon as the meal wa!
concluded the girls went into little sit
| ting room at the back of the house L
prepare their lessons for the following
day and Sage rap- ,4slnstaa aiiTs to he
mother.
She had some difficulty in soothing
Mrs. Hayant's anxiety about jim, bu
presently Elizabeth brought them com
paratively reassuring report.
81 persuaded Mr.. Niilward to g
| SlTdiGilJ " Ueuy lItG dils oalu' -
the best place for bad headache"
The old servant spoke cheerfully, bu
| Sage made some excuse for following hel
out of the room.
"How is Cousin Jim really?" she wits
pered.
mir. Milward is in a poor way, miss
| Elizabeth confessed. "He tainted agaiI
before he got into bed, and it was a
much as could do to bring him round
We mustn't alarm the mistress, but
don't know what to make of him. He1
all for getting up and leaving the house
Leaving the house?" Sage repeated
"The poor young, gentleman is a hi
off his head, miss Elizabeth Whispered
confidentially. Between ourselves,
think it might be as well to send Pete
for DIR. Masters"
Sage accepted the suggestion with re
lief. Peter was dispatched on his er
rand to the village, and Elizabeth re
turned to her post in the invalid's room
1T will be terribly awkward if Cousin
Jim is going to be really i'll here" Sag
thought II know that mother woul,
not hear of sending him to a nursing
home in Winchester and yet | really Dc
not see how we could manage with an
other invalid in the house. If We"
A discreet tap at the door broke il
upon her reflections, and Matty, Eliza
beth's small underling, appeared on th'
| threshold.
Please, Miss Sage, you're wantet
downstairs" she announced.
Sage went noiselessly to the door ant
closed it upon herself and the messenger
Matty opened her round eyes yer!
wide.
please, miss, it's Constable JefTcock
and-and another gentleman" she whls
pered, adding with awe-struck empha
sis, please, miss. they said as they mus
see you, and Elizabeth's put them in tn
dining room.
TO BE CONTINUED
| Whipgawed