Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-17
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
Across the broad lawns of Ayrill Tow
ers the shadows from the great elms and
oaks We're spreading longer and wider as
the sun sank towards a glory of crimson
and gold in the west.
In hammock slung III the shadiest
nook was girls slender figure gowned
In the softest and coolest of dull black
materials; one shapely foot and ankle
| Just peeping from out a mass of dainty
frills, one hand hanging over the edge
and playing listlessly with the ears of
Don, the great mastiff. Smaller dogs
lay around, more or less overcome by
the heat, but Don sat erect, far too
much the grand gentleman to permit
himself to be disturbed by the weather.
far too much the devoted lover to care
| for anything else in the world while
that small hand was fondling him. Sud
denly his heavy ears half lifted them
selves under the girls fingers and his
| tail moved in majestic welcome.
What is it, old boy?" asked his mis-
tress, turning her head slightly on the
cushions so that she could glance over
the lawn.
The other dogs bestirred themselves,
some even going so far as to rise and
walk forward barking noisily; others
were too exhausted to do more than
feebly flop their tails; but all evidently
giving pleased greeting to the newcomer,
tall, well built young fellow, with a
peculiarly striking carriage of the head
and grave steady eyes.
| John Dene had continued his duties as
secretary since the NIscount's death, now
some three months ago-in fact his as
sistance was absolutely necessary to the
lawyers; and as for the present holder
of the title and estate, she frankly de-
clared she couldn't get on at all without
him-rumor said she had fatty declined
to run the show unless he stood right
there to support her"
| Nothing loath, John Dene had stayed
and worked-worked like seven secre-
taries rolled into one. He loved the
place. He knew every acre of ground
he remembered all the important facts
about the tenants; he had schemed and
schemeS for the development Of the land,
and he understood its possibilities as no
| one else4 nd 1t would have gone hard
with him to give up his post to a stran-
ger and see all his wise plans changed.
So he agreed gladly to Lady Avrill's
! suggestion that he should remain, and
flung himself with ardent vigor into the
task of making the Avrill property pro-
| duce its best. If any devotion beyond
that to his work and the property in
! fluenced him he did not hint at it.
He now held paper in his hand which
he had brought for the young Viscount-
ess to sign.
VERY sorry to bother you, Lady Az
rill," he said. smiling; ''but this really
ought to 60 by this evenings post. I've
got fountain pen and a pad for you to
write on"
The girl slowly swung her feet out of
the hammock and sat ON the edge of it,
dainty, pretty creature of some %
years, with lovely wild-rose complex
ion, curly fair hair shot with bronze,
and gray eyes--large, soft, clear, but
nevertheless sheitering in the depths Of
them very saucy little imp of mischief
You always think of everything, Mr..
| Dene," she observed, as she took pen and
paper and dutifuIly affixed her signature
at the place he pointed out. There
that's donei"
do you know what it is you are sign
ingg' he asked in some amusement.
She shook her head.
Haven't the faintest idea, and don't
want to know. No7-as he opened his
mouth to explain-''no, / won't heart
You know you're absolutely reliable al
ways, and far more the boss of this
show than l am"
Lady Avrill!" he exclaimed. 81 hope
you don't think l take too much upon
myself"
She waved gracious denial.
Nothing of the sort. You under
stand it all and care about it all, and
don't. / merely observe that there is
no need for me to know what am sign
ing. So long as sou know, that is all
that matters"
"You knew this morning" he remarked
little ruefully; at was one of the
things l explained to you"
DO you expect me to remember in
this heat" she murmured reproachfully.
THAT is too much. I'll sign-anything,
so long as you undertake the under
standing of it. All, by rights, John Dene,
it is you who should own all this, not
IL"
She had a trick of calling him John
Dene occasionally, half in fun, half in
remembrance Of her uncle's invariable
habit of doing so He flushed a little
and threw quick, uncertain glance at
the exquisite face before him.
IF / did own all this" he began, and
broke off abruptly, patting Don's head,
liberty the mastiff allowed him but few
others to take.
Yes" said her ladyship, swinging one
small shoe to and fro, IF you did own
all this"
Il was thinking the best part Of the