Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-06-29
CHAPTER ".

"Nlu you Coinc Sut ioA O uAlsoA "a
tricia?"
Patricia moved impatiently; six months
married though they were, she knew
that her husband had never become at
home with her; the questioning glance of
his ewes, the little hesitation before her
christian name, accustomed as she was
10 both, yet irritated her.
"a drive? Where?s she asked, a GER
tain thin sharpness in her tone that told
its own story of uncertain temper, of
overtaxed nerves. "In the park? 7"
'No-o! Not the park" Forman re-
plied hesitatingly. "Babette doesn't care
for driving just round and round, and"-
with an uneasy laugh-"you know
don't. We thought of motoring down to
Twickenham or some of those places by
the river, and having tea. Babette likes
Patricia shrugged her shoulders; for
some unexplained reason even the fire.
ouent repetition of her little sisters
name seemed to jar upon her today ooh,
90 to Twickenham by all means, if Ba-
bette wishes it," she said disdainfully,
but you know that 1 do not care for
these al fresco excursions of yours!"
Forman saw that in some fashion he
had incurred her displeasure, and has
tened to propitiate her.
"Oh, well, if you would rather we went
in the park, i'll dare say Babette--"
-blunderingly.
ooh, pray don't alter your plan on my
accountl" his wife replied witheringly.
81 am sure Babette would infinitely pre-
fer the original scheme shall probably
motor to Lady Maughan's earlier, and go
with her."
But / should like" Forman was
beginning wistfully, when there was a
little commotion outside; Babette in her
wheeled chair was knocking for admit
lance.
He crossed the room and opened the
door.
Babette entered triumphantly.
Justin is going to take me out for a
lovely long drive this afternoon, Pat"
she announced loudly. "And we are GO
ing to have strawberries and cream and
all sorts of nice things-as many as ever
we can eat And we want you to come
too. Pat; and we will be all jolly togeth-
er, just like old times"
For a moment Patricia wayered, but as
she met the entreaty in her husbands
eyes she hardened her heart.
1T is too much TO expect me to give
up the park in. the height of the season,
Babette," she said, with the little society
laugh which rang so falsely in the ears
of both husband and sister
"Oh, Pat" Babette began.
Never mind Babette," Forman inter
rupted wait till we get down to Dun
glas next month, and we shall have some
fine picnics."
With our house party!" Patricia re-
marked, elevating her eyebrows perverse-
ly. II fancy your entertainments are
scarcely in their line
But Forman could assert himself upon
occasion. "Well, if they don't like our
ways, they needn't come to see us-eh,
Babette? BY the way"-anxious to
change the subject and avert the storm
which he saw approaching in Patricia's
flashing eyes-"I met an old friend of
yours today, Patricia. Hollingsworth in
troduced us at the club-a Sir Wilfred
Stonor. l asked him to join us at Dun
glas; newell, he quite fished for the
invitation, / assure you. l thought it
would please you," Forman stumbled on,
conscious that his wife's face was ex-
pressive of anything but pleasure. 81
hope you don't mind-that it won't
make any difference"
oh, Dunglas is large enough to ac-
commodate any amount of guests am
aware!" Patricia said Jelly, though every
pulse in her body was tingling and thrill
ing at the bare mention of Stonor's
name. only for the future l should be
glad if you will pay me the compliment
Of consulting me before you make addi,
tions TO our house party, Justin. There
are wheels within wheels of which you
are naturally ignorant"
The contempt in her tone stung For
man to the quick, but he was slow to
take offense. Patricia had married him
OF her own free will, he argued; after all,
even if she did care for him, as he fully
believed, it was scarcely in human ma
ture that his deficiencies should not jar
upon her occasionally. Perhaps when
time had shown him how to remedy them
she would learn to speak and look at him
differently.
i am sorry" he said humbly. 81
thought you would be glad to see him,
being an old friend and all that; but if
have made a mistakenly, it is soon
remedied I'll drop him line to the
CarltoD-tell him l was not aware that
your party was fully made up"
My dear Justin" Patricia drawled af-
1ectedly. what win you suggest next,
Wonder"-with little laugh that stung
her husband like & whip.
de turned to Babette, hot red flush
mounting to his forehead
wen, it seems we can't do right any
how, Babette Come, 1 will give you a
grand ride down the passage, and then
We will 60 for our drive"
ihe child clapped her hands as be
PICKED her up, then her glance fell upon
her sisters averted face.
wish you wouldn't be so horrid,
rat" she said fretfully; 81 don't like
you bit in London"
forman silenced her for the nonce by
carrying her bodily out of the room. but
as ne strobe down the passage Patricia
caught the echo of her complaint-"Pat
Is always so cross now" and then in her
husbands deep tones, Never mind, little
TO be cross"
-