Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-05-25
AN INVITATION TO LORDS.


this being known, many lame dogs re-
sorted to him for his kindly assistance
This was chiefly the case with young
men, who through impulse rather than
through vice, had made fools of them
selves, as, at one time or another, most
young men do.
1t was one morning, toward the end
of June, that Lascelles had call from
his young friend, Charlie Peverill. Pew
Grill, the son of a distinguished general
tnen in the war office, had recently taken
his degree at Oxford, preparatory to be-
| ing called to the bar
He was of generous but ill-disciplined
character, full of belief in himself and
the infallibility of his own opinions, and
impatient of parental control. There
was undoubtedly the making of man in
him. There was also in him the making
of disastrous failure. He wanted ju
dicious handling. But Gen. Peverill was
too much of the martinez in his dealings
with his son. Hence, perpetual ructions
between them r...4~~--.-
| Such was the state of affairs when
young Peverill burst excitedly into Las
celles' rooms, on that June morning, and
exclaimed:
Il say, Lascelles, can you spare me a
few minutes? | want your advice and
assistance most awfully."
well, young 'un, wnat is it? What's
the trouble now" said Lascelles. good
humoredly, as he laid down his pen.
Its that old governor of mine. He is
behaving unbearably. / must tell you
Pm just engaged to be married, and the
governor has ordered me-Ordered me,
as if | were a slave-to break it off, be-
cause he doesn't approve of the match.
Did you ever hear of such high handed
! tyrannyp
"Umph. But why doesn't your gov
ernor approve of the match?" inquired
George Lascelles.
"Oh, merely because Polly Sitwell
doesn't happen to be what is convention
ally styled a lady. As if that mattered, "
cried the young man, when she's the
best and sweetest girl in the whole
world"
George Lascelles could scarcely forbear
smile. "Who is Miss Polite Sitwell ?"
he inquired. "and where did you come
across herr"
"She's waitress at Giottis," replied
young Peverill, coloring slightly.
''Umph" grunted Lascelles, with a
thoughtful frown. "Umph; waitress at
restaurant"
well, there's nothing to be ashamed
of in that. It's no disgrace to an honest
girl TO earn her own living by honest
work, is tt" broke in young Peverill,
with some heat.
Far from it. It's rather to her credit
than otherwise" admitted Lascelles,
soothingly.
That's just what told the governor.
l said if a girl was a good girl, and she
really loved a fellow and fellow really
loved her, her social position didn't mat
ter a button, and that, so far from being
ashamed of my engagement to Polite (as
the governor seemed to think / ought to
be- l was proud of it-yes, downright
proud of it," cried young Peverill, with
generous enthusiasm.
And what did your governor say to
that?
"Oh! He didn't condescend to argue
the point. The governor never does He
! just ordered me to break off the engage
ment at once. If | didn't, he said, he'd
withdraw my allowance and wash his
hands of me-"
"Ah," remarked Lascelles, nodding
comprehendingly "and what's yom next
move going to be, young 'un?"
well. for one thing l most certainly
shall not break off my engagement with
Polite. Nothing would induce me. And
for another was going to ask you
whether you'd have a talk with the gov
ernor and see if you can't get him to
! listen to reason"
THAT entirely depends"
! Depends on what?"
ION Miss Polite Sitwell," replied Las.
celles, deliberately. You see, she may
be all you say-the best and sweetest girl
in the world, a girl whom it is worth
while sacrificing everything to marry
"She is" cried young Peverill, with
fierce conviction, as though it We're bias
phemy to doubt it. "She's a girl in a
million"
Or" continued Lascelles, in the same
deliberate tone, not needing the others
interruption, 1T may only be that your
amorous fervor has misled you, and that
Miss Polite. considered dispassiunately, is
no such great shakes after all. Before
| can take the responsibility of recon-
mendng her to your governor as a de-
sirable wife for you. | must first satisfy
myself by personal investigation. | shall
/ go To Glotti's and see the girl for myself,
and | shall also make some independent
| Inquiries. Then, if-and only if-the re.
suit is satisfactory, will l do what you
ask Are you willing to accept my help
on these terms?"
Rather The more you see of Polite.
and the more you investigate about her
the better / shall be pleased" replied
young Peverin, with confidence.
Very good. young 'un. Wen leave it
at that then" smiled George Laseelles.
Three or four days later Gen. Peverill
called his son into his study to have
| private talk with him.
Look here Charlie. my boy" he said.
in n grave, though unusually kindly, tone.
about this engagement of yours. Our
mutual friend Lasceles has been to see
me on the matter. and from what he tells
me of the young woman l am bound to
say that-soeial considerations apart
she seems to he thoroughly good. nice
sort of girl and ahem-well. l admit