Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-10-30

Diana's door handle was ratified sharply,
and Mrs. Crochet, minus the pomp of
silk, advanced hurriedly to the bedside.
You are the only person / can wake I"
she cried. sect up, childl Your uncle
Is i'll. We must have DR.. Sanderson here
at once"
Diana reused herself with an effort
Where is Dixon?" she asked, rising
and flinging on a wrapper.
"Dixonl He takes two hours to awake.
You must go at once Your uncle is quite
delirious. Take your uncle's military
cloak from the chest in the hall. 1t viii
keep you dry and make you look like a
man. You are as tall as a man, Diana"
Yes, yes" aequiesced Diana.
And the house-the third on Combe
Rig with the crooked larch overhanging
the gate. You can't mistake it,"
Hurrying silently downstairs. Diana
drew the cloak from its press, enveloped
her tall figure in it, and chose a cloth
cap from a varied array of headgear on
the wall. The dim light of the lamp was
sufficient to reveal to her, in an ancient
mirror, the reflection of a very creditable
y
Il could deceive my own mother" she
said, with valorous attempt at mirth.
But her heart beat quicker than its
wont, as she tucked the thick knot of
hair within the masculine cap, slammed
the great door behind her. and sped swift.
ly down the steps.
Though the stable clock had not yet
struck its twelve feeble strokes, silence
as of the grave EMBODIED the household,
Combe Crockett went to bed mostly at
$50; and at IL showed never light in
any of its inhospitable windows.
But Diana was not a coward. She
faced the dark avenue bravely; bsttled
on before the slashing rain climbed the
hill to the gates, and reached the high
road in due course
The roar of the gale lent her energy;
its battle music urged her to go forward.
She traversed a mile of wood hung road,
where the clamor of the storm sank to a
wall, and the dripping road wound before
her in pitch blackness.
Then she approached the moor.
Dark pines made grim notches upon it
here and there, shiny pool cleaned
oozily to the view.
Halfway across this desolate loneli-
ness q figure doomed large upon her, and
as her pulses thumped in her ears deep
and musical greeting met her hearing
Good night to you, zurr."
Reassured by its komely south-coun-
| try accent she answered.
"Good night" and spread her shoulders
broader, pleased that she should have
| been mistaken for man.
| At last, through the din of the summer
storm, she drew up at the door overhung
by the crooked larch tree
The lights cleaning Cheerily in many
windows were in curious contrast to the
silence of the wide moor Like friendly
eyes, they smiled upon her, knocking at
her fears.
She pulled her hat over her eyes and
rang the bell.
A brisk step crossed the hall and
stopped on the other side of the door,
and then the portals swung lightly open,
as though well accustomed to either late
or early summons, and Diana met the
gaze of a stout man of the build and
mien of a country squire.
"Hey day, young, and what is your
BUSINESS, pleasef" said a quick voice
Here, come in with you and tell it in
side. Ii you are waterproof, ] am not
suppose you want to drag me out on
this pleasant night Z"
Eyes, at once" said the tall figure
overlapping him by some inches. "Could
you be very quick? Nathaniel Crockett
is very ILL.,"
"Crockett!" cried the small man, eve.
ing The cloaked visitor "Have you
tramped from Combe Crockett under
such downpour as this? Why didn't
they send that idle old fossil, Dixon? ]
suppose you are the new secretary
/ "Yes."
Come in, then" he said, and, shutting
the door, ushered her in his prompt way
into the room he had evidently just left
warmer and cosier here, Ell, young
man? Don't mind him." hastily indicat.
ing another person at the far end of the
room. Have something to drink while
rig up a canoe in which to paddle to
Combe Crockett. Here, Mcclure, look
after Crockett's secretary, will you, while
go to the SURGERY"
The doctor spoke so fast and moved
so quickly that Diana had hardly time tc
take in her new bearings, but when she
suddenly found she was in the presence
of second person, equally oblivious OF
her sex, the humor OF the situation
struck her.
DIR. Sanderson hurried away and left
her still standing near the door.
"Sit down, won't your" said In law
accents a man who was sitting on the
sofa head, his fingers drawing fragnen.
Etary airs from a banjo across his knee
"You have come to do bad turn to the
doctor, eh2 Horrid night One might
be in the shrouds of ship with such a
wind shrieking in ones ear. Whatu you
have?"
TO Be Continued.
Spoon Victuals.