Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-04-10


dance so soon after my trouble, and
my first impulse is to decline altogeth-
er. At any rate, l viii not 90 away for
Christmas; / would much prefer to spend
that quietly at horne.
A little later on | overhear a CONVEX
sation which causes nee a terrible shock
l am In one of the Conservatives, where
| have gone partly to escape the atten-
lions Of Capt. Ryves; 1 am hidden by
some large palms and Towering shrubs,
when l hear steps approaching. Two la
dies are evidently together, hut do not
pay any special attention until my in
terest is aroused by the mention of my
own name.
ooh, you evidently mean Miss Ire
malne!" voice said. Eyes, she is pref
| ~, but | pity her very much, buried
alive IN that dismal hole. 1t is an aw-
| ful house now, am told"
why, what is the matter with it % a
/ second voice inquired
know | ought to have instantly come
out OF my hiding place, but felt fixed
/ to the spot, and l even held my breath
In my anxiety to hear more.
well, l don't rightly know the facts
OF the story, as I have been away for
nearly three years, but 1 do know young
t1tzgeorge killed a man through ieal-
ousy. lie saw the man kissing his sweet
| heart, and in sudden fit of rage
knocked him on the head with a revolver
he had in his hand, and the man was
found dead afterwards"
How shoeking!"
Yes, it caused an awful scandal, l am
told. The old father had stroke of
paralysis and died, and the mother shut
herself up and has never appeared out
since"
But why wasn't Mr.. Fitzgeorge ar
rested if he did the murder?"
! That's what Pm not quite sure
about; you see, I have been away so
long. But heard Willie Ryves and my
husband talking about it only last night.
| meant to ask all the details. | don't
think there was sufficient evidence at
the time, or something of that sort, but
| Willie Ryves knows all about it, and he's
a friend of the constabulary officer"
who was the girl?"
l cannot catch the answer to this CUES
ton as the voices have moved out of
earshot, but | remain rooted to the spot
my brain is in a whirl, and l can hardly
take in the meaning of the words have
heard.
Mohun murdererl / cannot and will
not believe it. Mohun, so gentle and
chivalrous and courteousl Yet the
thought will obtrude itself into my
brain, and this would account for all the
mystery at Coomakesta
suppose | sit for another half-ho
before | rouse myself to a sense of ray
present surroundings.
81 don't believe it," l cry to myself
II won't believe it unless he tells me SC
himself. There is some explanation oil
it ALL And if it was true should care
for him just the same, but it isn't true
He told me to trust him, and I'm going
| to-"
With my head in the air and my
cheeks flushed at last emerge from my
hiding place and enter the drawing room
once more. find several of the guests
have already departed, and also learr
that Mohun is waiting for me with the
dogcart.
My heart throbs at the thought, but ]
determine that he shall guess nothing oil
what has passed | think he looks very
strong and brave when he turns his head
with a smile as I come out.
Enjoyed yourself, little girl?" he in.
quires, holding out one hand to help me
up, and l answer brightly, and indeed
keep up a rather excited and feverish
talk all the long drive home.
| wish he would confide in me so that
might show him and tell him how
complete is my trust in him.
So the time passes on till the arrival
of my birthday The day-the 18th
of December-breaks clear and cloudless
and frosty.
/ wonder several times whether Mo.
hun will remember my birthday. l hope
he will; l should like to receive his good
wishes
| am the last down this morning, and
to my surprise am greeted by good wish
es from all. l see an exquisite bunch OF
lilies of the-valley by my plate. My
eyes meet Mohun's and / smile my
thanks. l know they are from him
because / told him once they were my
favorite flowers. bury my face in
them, too happy to speak.
annette" says Cousin Elizabeth, put
ting a little black case into my hands
81 am giving you this present with my
love, and thanks to you for Frightening
our life here"
The tears sprang to my eyes at the
unwonted kindness of her words She is
usually so cold and impassive that !
thought she almost resented my pres
ence
l find lovely string of pearls and
utter a little cry of admiration.
"Oh, how exquisite, Cousin Elizabeth
How good OF you to give them! Pearls
are my favorite jewels, as lilies are the
| flowers / love the best" / kiss her af
fectionately, and think she looks pleased
1t is a great pleasure to me to feel
that Cousin Elizabeth is beginning to
like me a little, and I do trust that a
brighter time is beginning for all
feel so happy l can hardly eat my break
fast, and if had known the excitement
in store for me / know Z could not have
! swallowed a Inouthful
Come with me, Annette; / have come
thing to show you"
Mohun leads the way to the stable
and opens the door of a loose box. There,
standing with his dear head turned to-
wards me, is my own beloved horse, Ro-