Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-24
MINSTREL AND MAID.


his native modesty is apt to be SO de-
,.idedly embarra ssed."
But suggested his companion in
gentle tone. 1T must be so delightful, so
dignifed. to feel that you are mystery.
| should have thought man-eyen a
modest man, like, er-well. like most
men are, of course would be willing to
tolerate the tri1ing discomfort OF having
his modesty outraged by the-what shall
| call it:-impertitent attentions of his
fair admirers, in return for the satisfac-
ton of being called II mysterious min
strel!'
No" said the minstrel, weighing the
epithet carefully. Il shouldn't call it inn
pertinent-not exactly impairment per-
haps.' Say, rather, injudicious."
The maid gave a soft laugh.
The minstrel raised himself on his al
bow, as a sudden thought seemed TO
strike him. They were sitting-or rath-
er, the maid was sitting, Il dainty para
sol poised over her graceful head and
the minstrel was reclining at full length
on the beach just below the line of
bathing machines the tide was at the
ebb, the sun making It's way lesureiy
toward the horizon, the hour about & on
an August afternoon, the place a fash
ionable watering resort Cn the south
coast.
by the way" remarked the minstrel
your aunt"
Yes" said the maid, lifting he eye
brows.
An excellent. charming womar." said
the minstrel, but what are her views
Oh the subject of our somewhat irregular
acquaintanceY'
oh said the maid with short
laugh, "she-she was naturally rather
shocked of course
'"Ibat'S mart nf thu oN-s
said the minstrel. I'VE all have to dis
guise our real identities as far as pos
sible, you see. Ii would never do for
any OF us to be recognized. You would
simply be astounded if you knew who
we were"
Dear me- exclaimed the maid, arch
ing her eyebrows into an expression of
mock horror. Are you all $3.50 very
dreadful. them
Well we are not burglars-or escaped
convicts, if that's what YOU mean" re-
torted the minstrel. Il little hufTily
''Oh, it would be so delightful if you
were" she cried.
II disagree with you entirely" said
the minstrel There would be the CON
slant fear of recapture, to begin with.
and that would be quite destructive of
! artistic effort"
but even as it is persisted the maid.
! do you not find the perpetual fear of,
being discovered
''Discovered?" said the minstrel
II mean found out-identiicd-you
must live i'll terror of that, don't YOU
Not exactly terror" replied the min
| strel conscientiously. But there is, of
| course Il gnawing anxiety arising from
| the ever present apprehension OF being
! spotted"
"Being-what?" asked the maid
Spotted-identified, as You call it.
| Someone. YOU see, might turn up here
! Nil,A I~Tf. f,f
and then
Them" coocd the maid.
ooh, then the fat would be in the fire
Il mean there would be the dickens 10
pay--infuriated relatives, social ostracism
| and all that sort of thing, you know"
Would your relatives really be in
! furiated if they discovered that YOU
were II mysterious minstrel?'
Infatuated? Why, the goyernOr-my
father. that is--would disinherit me"'
exclaimed the minstrel with solemn
conviction. He has no sense of humor
whatever"
Indeed. it seems to be terrible risk
you are running" she murmured SYM
patheticaly.
The minstrel nodded Il tragic assent.
at is risk, of course" he admitted,
while rejecting on the extreme improb-
ability of the paternal inheritance ex-
tending beyond an attack or two of
And if YOU were-disinherited, you
would be a poor man-perhaps = she
hazarded timdly.
"A church mouse would be a COM
paratively wealthy rodent said the
minstrel with emphasis.
And you might-under those dis
tressing circumstances, perhaps-whO
knows?-be tempted to marry some rich
woman for money instead of-love?"
The maids voice sank to Il bashful
whisper on the last word, as she
watched as much of the minstrels face
as was visible from under the brim of
his straw hat.
IF rich woman We're to come my
way-evcn now admitted the min
strel. Il wouldn't positively swear that |
should reject Il proposal from her with
out duly considering it"
Yet" continued the maid specua-
lively ''you must have had many oppor-
tunities, With your title"
My ttle?" echoed the minstrel, sud
denly jerking his hat back.
"Yes-Lord Farinash"'
"Hahr exclaimed the minstrel trag-
icalN. Then you have recognized
met
"Oh, yes-ahnost from the very FIRST
laughed the maid. Don't you think II
was clever of meE'
| simply frightfully clever" agreed
the minstrel, gazing at her in solemn
admiration. Il wouldn't have believed
il possible Only. for heavens sake,
don't whisper it to soul. T~the gov
ernnr were TO know"
"Ah-the duke" she said in an awed
tone.
"Preeisely: the-er-duke. You soc,
there would be the deuce and all To
paw
She gave little shy glance at him
from under her parasol, seemed 10 hest
tate a moment and then, rs on sud
Iden resolution. bent her pretty head
slightly toward the brim of the min
strelS hat. and added in low tone
Lord Farinash, | have guessed your
Isecret-shall l tell you mine? DO you
know whae ! am2"
The minstrel looked at her with a
Imeditative expression and sighed.
You are very beautiful he observed
as though the circumstance had only that
moment presented itself to hun.
\ little wave of color mounted 10 the
maids cheeks, and She drew back heI
herd.
: Yes. hut I didn't mean that" she eN-
f,i, f,,,-vipttx II 1r,--yvaF a-tr,.