Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-07-24
CHAPTER VI.

A week 1dlCI Inc gus at ASlSSiuC
were together again. and Tobias Tuck
tackle-returned from his sojourn as an
honored paying guest" at humber
home near by-had once more taken
possession of his favorite cushion, and
likewise began to oceupy-when the
sunshine invited and the mildness of the
Nav weather permitted-his chosen
ledge at the side of the outer portico.
sPoor Tobyl'' murmured Nan, gently
smoothing down the tawny fur with the
toe Of her slipper. Il expect he thought
we treated him in a very off hand fash
ion. both going off at the same time and
handing him over to the tender mercies
of the milkman But they haven't
starved you, my dear-ycdr bones are
as well covered, your coat as sleek as
ever. Did you miss us, Tobias? ] don't
believe i'll / have shrewd suspicion
that you rather enjoyed life at the milk
mans, and for two pins would"
Nan, why did you go to the Lynth-
waites like that?" Shirley broke in upon
the younger girls careless chatter to put
the question with quiet reproach.
Nan knew it must come sooner or
later; she had been expecting it ever
since Shirley had parted from the Mir
fields at Hanl4ledon station and driven
back to Ingleside with her in the hired
station hy; and she met it with cool
composure in which there was almost a
hint of defiance.
"Why? Because they asked me-be-
cause Mrs. Lynthwaite was anxious to
have me. Because, too, / was lonely
horribly lonely. 1 didn't think | should
be. but when it came to the point /
found wass and the prospect of a lit
tie society and some one to speak to
when the days work was done was too
tempting to refuse"
II would have come home sooner if
you'd sent for me. I'd rather have
come home than have had you go to
Lyncroft."
"Then let me tell you, my dear old
Shirley, that you are rather foolish like
wise somewhat unreasonable But
hastily, almost nervously, as it seemed to
the elder girl-"don't let us rake up that
old grievance on the very first night of
your home coming. Tell me about your
doings abroad. The change has done
you a mort o. good Shirley, as the
country people say. The roses have come
baek-your eyes are bright and clear
again-the hollows here and here
touching her cheek and throat with gem
tie, caressing fingers-'are nowhere to
be seen. So you've had real good
tinne,Y And you got on all right with
the Mirfelds?"
"Oh, yes amy one would, Mrs. Mir
field was most kind, and Masie has
sworn eternal friendship I'm not to
lose touch with them either. Mrs. Mir
field has asked me if / will go 10 their
house on alternate days and give Masie
some easy lessons
Easy lessons-on alternate davsf
That young lady's education viii ad-
vance rapidlyl"
"She's fragile little mortal, You see
"a regular little bundle of nerves and
precocity. Nan"-thoughtfu1ly after a
moments pause did you know that
the Mirfelds were in some way connect
ed with the LynthwaitesY"
yes, / knew long time ago. Are
you going to ask me why / didn't tell
youf Because" that suggestion of
defiance again apparent in face aud
voice-t1 knew that if did that fool
ash, unreasonable prejudice of yours
would come to the fore again and urge
you to refuse and if I'd told you you
would have drawn back even at the eley-
enth hour
Perhaps I should. Tn not sorry,
after all, Nan, that you let me go in
ignorance I've had good time, and
feel stronger and better for it,
And you'll 60 to them stiIl-to teach
Masie3H, To Nan that was the most
surprising concession of all.
Eyes, | shall go. / can scarcely refuse
after all Mrs. Mirfeld's kindness-to
say nothing of poor little Masie's fearful
entreaties. / think, Nan, can better
understand now why you were so re
IuctaHt TO break with the Lynthwartes.
When people are kind, and when chill
dren creep into ones heart and cling to
one, it's little nard to cut oneself
adrIft and go ones way disregarding
them altogether"
I'm glad you've come to see it like
that, Shirley-very, very glad. So''-
linking her arm affectionately in that of
her friend as they stood watching the
early summer sunset-"that old bone of
contention is at all events removed
Why do you say at all events In
that wayf Do you think I'm annoved
at your staying with them all these
weeks :"
N-no, ! wasn't thinking of that
Then of what, dearf"
Nan hesitated moment, pulling rest
iessIy at the budding rose trails round
the open window.
There's something I shall have to tell
you" she said at last, in low but firm.
clear voice. Not tonight though-let it
wait until tomorrow
That"-half jestingly and all unsus-
pieious-"is rather cruel, don't you
think. now that you've reused my curl
osltyf Won't you tell me at oneeY"
Very welP'-in abrupt desperation.
It's this, Shirley--Austin Lynthwaite is
at home again. He and / have seen a
good deal of each other during these
last weeks. We-we've grown to care
Ior one another, and-three days ago he
asked me to marry him"
A long silence. Shirley's face had
grown cold and hard; her eyes were
turned towards Nan with stern, grave
scrutiny that the other felt rather than