Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-06-26
CHAPTER 1.

faced the gorse-clad common-pictur,
esoue La a way, with long windows open
ing on to q tiny wooden veranda both
hack and front, and climbing plants
yunning riot over that and the trellis
ssrtico. and covering even the walls
with a verdant flowery mantle.
The Liiacs was its name; and there
really were a couple of lilac trees of no
mean size and order to supply reason
for it. but the season of their chief
beauty was just over on that summer
evening when Lance Heriot stood at the
gate watching for the approach of Miss
Cadogan and Shiriey-sweet- voiced, gen.
tie Shirley-who in few short weeks
was to be his wife.
This was to be visit of inspection to
the new home with view to discussing
the alI-important problem of furnishing.
which next week was to be taken in
hand in earnest; and Aunt Faith had
come to hold council with them, and
give these inexperienced young people
the benefit of her advice and wider
knowledge.
'It's a pretty house, DEAR" she said,
lev rounded the corner by the common
and came in sight of tan exceeding
ly pretty house."
81 4ance and / set our hearts on it from
the very first" Shirley told her, the soft
color stealing over her cheeks, the love-
light and welcome shining forth from
her eyes as she saw not only the house,
but the man with the light covert coat
and straw hat standing at the gate. 81
think we owe the Melhuishes debt of
gratitude for vacating it just now.
There isn't another in the neighborhood
we cared for like this one. Don't you
think, Aunt Faith, that Lance and
ought to be very happy here?"
Il think, dear, you and your Lance
would be happy anywhere SO that you
were together
That's true" said Shirley, re-echoing
the words with thoughtful smile. Eyes,
L think Lance and l would be happy
anywhere-so that we were together. Do
you know, sometimes I'm longing for
that time to come, and
"Only sometimes 7" interpolated Miss
Cadogan, raising her eyebrows in smil-
ing questioning.
yes; for at other times I'm almost
frightened to think of the happiness life
will hold for me afterwards. 1t seems
as though I'm looking forward to some
thing impossible, something too good to
be ever true. Notwithstanding
away into the distance with pensive
gravity, as though she saw there the
oncoming shadow of something that
awed and unnerved her-''the thought
comes to me that it never may be true
Nonsense, little one; foolish fancy
born of the sense of coming change and
new responsibilities. What could come
between you now?"
Nothing, Aunt Faith, that either
Lance or / could avert; nothing save
the unknown and unforeseen
But a moment later Shirley had put
all such thoughts as those away, for she
and Lance were standing with clasped
hands and eyes that Cooked love to
eyes that spake again." whilst Miss
Faith continued her way discreetly UP
the narrow pathway and vanished into
the dim recesses of the hall.
They came in to her soon. Never
were those two so wholly wrapped up
in themselves that lovable, unselfsh
Aunt Faith was forgotten; and then be-
gan leisurely progress through the
new kingdom, pausing to take meas
urement here, to hold a consultation
there, fitting from one room to another
to compare merits and decide to which
purpose each should be allotted.
AUNT Faith is to have a room, and
Nan is to have a wee, unpretentious
one too, both reserved for their OWE
especial use whenever they care to come
and occupy Them" decided Shirley, look
ing towards her lover for the approx
ing assent that she knew full well would
be given. mo matter if she and Mar
are going to live together, no matter il
we are within half an hours walk OF
one another, we shall want to have 6
family reunion sometimes, and an oc-
easional change of surroundings is good
for every one. Want your" in response
to a laughing protest. Certainly we
shall want YOU. Won't Lance want s
long, long chat with his sister some
timesP And doesn't girl always want
her mother, and haven't you been al
that any mother ever could be to me-
Aunt Faith, those are the most foolish
words I've ever heard you speak. Lance
did you ever hear such nonsensef"
There was no response, and, turning
quickly to seek the reason, Shirley dis
covered that Lance was no longer in the
room. A slight sound in the hall below
had caught his attention and he had
gone to the head of the stairs to recon
noiter.
Amy one thereg7 he called over the
balustrade in his pleasant, CHEEKY voice
'Marcyn-you, What brings you here p
a fair, close-cropped head came into
view halfway up the stairs, and its
owner, one of Lance's fellow clerks
turned and looked up, telling his errand
I've come after you, Heriot. The PEG
pie at your lodgings told me l should
ind you here, and the door being oper
! took the liberty of walking straight
IN. ! say, you're wanted at the office
Lynthwaite's waiting for you"
notwithstanding for me?
thought he and every one else had left
by this time. What does he want me
fort"
Don't know; didn't say. LynthwaitC
never is over good at giving reasons oil
gong into a lot of explanation. / sup