Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-31

disappointed in her 1t is q girls whim.
But she should have been wiser. IKE
Challises all throw away their happiness.
Look at my bretheri | myself
Here she broke off II am wearying vo9
with an old woman's garrulousness. Mr..
Dene. Tell me, is it true that you have
no idea who you areg"
A conviction crept over the young
man that in these words he heard the
real reason for the interview.
Quite true" he replied steadily. -
know nothing, and l have no means of
discovering anything"
You have your ideas 7"
No, none. Honestly, | have none"
"Ahl" and the old lady's eyes dwelt
on him in the same curiousfy critical
manner as had Mr.. Talmake's. swell,
1t is great misfortune to young man;
specially to one who-permit me to say
it-would adorn high station"
He bowed in some surprise
You are very good, Miss Challis. I
think my wisest course is to fit myself
to work well in lowly station l do
not aspire to high things. If can serve
the Avrill estate l am content"
Miss Challis watched him thoughtfully
LOT rev moments.
The likeness is greater in his case
than in the other" she reflected. "Is he
really unconscious of it? Well. life has
taught me the wisdom of holding ones
tongue and waiting. But l do trust it
is not the other who is destined to high
things" Aloud she said:
"You are right. And yet you are wor-
thy. Life deals unjustly sometimes. Let
an old woman say she honors you for
your noble self forgetfulness."
She held out her hand and John took
it reverently, then lifted it to his lips.
and, rising, left the room.
This was the second friend he had
gained that day-the valet first, and
now the naughty, exclusive old lady.
And he had lost
Nothing" said John stoutly; "for
nothing was mine to lose. If it is for
her happiness / have gained. But it
isn't" he added fiercely. HE is not 1T,
for her. He is only making good bar.
gain for himself; and she"
John could not settle TO work that
night. He took to striding up and down
the spacious hbrary-up and down, up
and down, long past his usual bedtime
ckOSd OutSIQc W uSktuy anu
shook his head sagely and pitifully.
Il know what that means" he
thought, "and he isn't the only one sorry
at her ladyship's choice. Isn't II the
same sound though-the same soundi
Bless my lucky starsi And him secre-
taryI What does it all meant"
On receiving the news of Lady Avrill's
engagement Mr.. Talmake came down in
hot haste and insisted on few words
with John Dene before he saw the ladies.
"Is 1t some silly freakf" he asked.
"She cannot be seriously meditating
throwing herself away on whipper-
snapper like that. need not apologize,
for know you've found out you are not
related TO them"
Mrs. Dene told me So" was the quiet
reply.
HIM, it was pretty obvious, I should
think; any fool could have seen It."
growled the lawyer, who was in no ami
able mood. $50 your full account OF
yourself is blown to bits, Ell, young man n
Do you remember your answer to my;
remark some months ago2 / suppose
you can give me no better answer now rs
John shook his head irapatiently. This
POAItnSOAk A0A ping Vh AAAo AhNn VA tAGAttby
was becoming vexatious.
II am nobody" he replied, "and
shall always be nobody. Put me out of
your mind, please, Mr.. Talmake."
Nobody, eh2 With that head Can't
you guess yourself who you aref"
II haven't the faintest notion" John
replied in all sincerity. Indeed I haven't
thought about it; there is so much that
is more important"
"Ah-h'ml Well, her ladyship's mar
riage is of some Importance, but, as Miss
Challis reminded me in her letter, that
is not yet an accomplished fact. Who
are these Denes2"
81 don't know. l never heard any fam.
lily history. Mrs. Dene allowed no quea-
lions and told us nothing"
Miss Challis hints at some mystery
as to antecedents. | suppose you are
aware of the notion in her mind? Oh,
see, your lips are sealed-you know moth
ingih For John had resolved not to
mention his own discoveries till he had
something clearer to go upon. 1--WE had
better investigate anyway. l call the
whole thing simply preposterous, and
downright scandalous too, so soon after
Lord Avrill's death. Only three months,
isn't TT / shall tell my lady So"
But in Lady Avrill the old lawyer
more than met his match; she frankly
told him she married to please herself
and permitted no discussion on the sub.
ject, and she abruptly ended the inter
view when he asked questions about
Vincent's financial and social position.
Ito Be Continued)