Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-04-03
THE IDENTITY OF DIANE.

Just few minutes later, and | might
have been saved all the embarrassments
of that October afternoon; but, as it
was, tore the envelope open and read:
Diane coming by 800 train; please
bring her down.-Augusta.'
| That is so like my cousins wife!
When the last trump sounds for the last
soul to hand in its reckoning Augusta
viii have gone back for her lace pocket
| handkerchief
So now. at the seventh hour, | was
expected to rise to the situation and act
as cieerone to total stranger. For who
on earth was Diane? That was the ques-
ton that tortured me as my hanson
carried me all too quickly to our tryst-
| ing-place
| remembered vaguely that when Au-
gusta married my cousin Stanfield
Fame, there was talk of French con
| nections; of niece from Perigord to
join the bridesmaids ranks: of a dash
of French blood that drove Augusta
recklessly to Paquin for her wedding
gown, amply atoned for by the stiff
magnifcence of her fine English pres
ence.
| was still immersed in the problem
OF Danes identity when my hanson
pulled up at Paddington. There for
tune played into my hand, for as | stood
waiting for my turn at the ticket office
| heard lady's voice, with the unmis-
takably throaty r. of the Partisan, de-
mand first class" for Wryborough
The station was dark; but as she
turned her head / caught glimpse of
a dainty retrousse profile under the
| smooth masses OF her we'll dressed hair,
and the neat way she gathered up her
skirts over her little high eeIed boots
confirmed me in my conclusions as to
her nationality.
Meanwhile, as she tripped brissSly
down the platform, | reminded myself
with a certain tightening of spirit of my
obligations to Augusta, and a few min
utes later found us both seated in the
opposite corners of a through carriage
for the little country station,
1t was even with a certain anxiety
that | frowned at possible intruders, and
we were just about to start when fran
tic porter, dragging an unwilling spaniel
by leash, came painting up the plat
form.
The dog was thirst ;ato the van ad-
joining none too gently, ! fear, as a
yelp rang out before the door was
slammed, followed by low and MOURN
full howl. As the train pulled out /
glanced at my pretty companion.
Her piquante face showed ready
sympathy.
Here was my opportunity.
I'm always sorry for poor dumb ami
mails" / began, somewhat lamely, but
the lady broke i. with mischievous
smile
'Dumb28 she queried, with the pretti
est little accent in the world.
"O-ough!" went the spaniel next door,
and we both laughed aloud.
A cold autumn wind blew in at the
open window. and, seeing her hand on
the sash, rose to her assistance
"Merci, monsieur!" said my compan-
ion I'VE will shut out re owls"
I'VE may as well be warm, | said,
sitting smile. 1T is long journey to
Wryborough,'
ITEMS. Monsieur goes there, too?s
She raised her finely arched brows, evil
IDENTIFY in ignorance of Augustus ninth
hour decision.
Then a happy thought struck me. 1
would keep the fact of my destination
secret mp to the last moment, and only
when we had both arrived at Wrybor-
ough Court should she knew | was one
of the house party for the weekend
Il am going down for tho shooting,' /
said vaguely.
She turned with smile on her lips:
her large brown eyes with the tired
shadows beneath met my own in Il
grateful silence, and at that precise
moment the train gave loud whistle
and darted into tunnel, leaving us in
total darkness.
A faint scream came from my pretty
companion
"Quel horreur!" l heard her say in a
| strangled voice, and the hand in mine
elutehed me with nervous force.
Its not a long one" / shouted re.
assuringly, above the roar of the trains
passage, leaning a little toward her.
Bump, went the carriage over the un-
| even rails. and the softest cheek in the
world came up against my own!
| vow it was not my fault, but lust a.
combination of circumstances too strong
to withstand.
But, as it was. the train popped ont
| as inconsiderately as it had dashed into
that COMPOUNDED tunnel and there was
DANES glossy head comfortably propped
against my shoulder and my arm firmly
planted round that neat French waist,
The sunshine blinked at us impudent.
| y from behind a heavy cloud and the
sudden glare completed my confusion,
but my little companion, with native
grace, swiftly extricated herself from
what we both / think, felt to be false
situation,
She rose quickly to her feet and
Strengthened her tumblei hair in the
dingy mirror opposite.
Monsieur must excuse e" she