Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-09-04
CHAPTER VT.

of Hyde park.
Passing along Rotten row. then in the
full tide OF its daily influx of equestrians
and fashionable idlers, Franklin took one
of the few vacant chairs and lighted
cigarette
Staring modify. and with but little
interest, at the passers- by, he suddenly
became conscious that the Duchess OF
Staffa, accompanied only by her little
son vas gazing at him, evidently expect
ing that he would rise and join her IN
her promenade He made step for
ward, and by gesture offered her his
chair.
Thanks" she said in her clear ring
ing tones, Il think | will sit down fer
a few moments. Bertie"-to her little
boy-"run and find a chair for Mr..
Cover, and also one for yourself. Sons
are so useful, are they not, Mr.. Govern
And YOU never have to see too much Of
them Daughters are continually with
us. could not bear to have any daughr
tiers. One has to worry so much about
their compilations and the size OF their
waists. Now a boys complexion is a
negligible quantity, and he never has any
waist to worry about How is dear
Lady Beauchamp? Quite we'll? So glad.
And Sir Trevor, and that sweet little
ward OF yours, Miss Miss-dear me,
am so stupid about peoples names I'm
less they happen TO be one OF us. | know
it begins with a W. Oh. thanks! Yes,
of course. Vivian; and / said w.
Well, | was very near it, was | noty
BY the way, | saw Miss Vivian this
morning"
Covers languid attention gave place to
the keenest interest
You saw her! Where7" he asked,
taken completely off his guard.
II was at st. Pancras at a most un-
earthly hour this morning to meet my
mother, and ON the platform with her
maid was Miss Vivian. She was talking
to that extraordinary person who played
the piano in such a demented fashion at
Damorey. Your ward has gone on
visit somewhere in the north | sup
poser"
Franklin remembered the necessity for
caution
Eyes; she went quite suddenly. Ny
sister was unable to accompany her, and
/ was detained on business in town"
''Oh, girls are so independent now
adays," said Irene carelessly. 'The
chaperon win soon be as extinct as the
dodo. ! have heard such funny rumor,
| Mr.. Cover; / wonder whether you will
tell me, as an old friend of long stand
| ing, whether there is any truth in it,
Am l qualified to give an opinion y
he asked, wishing with all mis- heart that
he could frame some excuse to get away
/ in order that he might follow up the
huf I Nv IN /, 1
''Eminently So" she returned. las YOU
are one of the chief persons concerned. !"
"Then please eniighten me. and all
the information l can give VIII be at
your service. | am, as ever. one of the
humblest OF your slaves"
/ Irene repaid the compliment with an
enchanting smile, which, however, was
quite lost upon Cover, who happened to
be intently studying some hieroglyphics
he had traced on the gravel with his
stick
Then, rumor declares that Mr. Frank
lin Cover is going shortly 10 lead i
bride to the hymeneal altar"
There was pereeptible pause Then
Franklin, forcing a laugh, asked, as light
! ~ as he could, whether runner had given
any name to the unfortunate bride.
Certainly A very pretty name. But
1 why do you say unfortunate old bach.
elor?7
Possibly; but you only answer 10 the
last of the indictments ] think she il
a very lucky girl Her name-I haven't
forgotten it this time-is Beryl Vivian"
Franklin tried hard to look uncon.
cerned.
you may contradict that rumor, Lady
stafFa,7 he said, ION the very best au-
thority-my own"
May ]? 2" she asked with an added
brightness m her smile. but why all
this ceremony between old friends. 1t
used, between Us, 10 be Frank aud--
| Irene"
That was before you became a
Duchess he said curtly.
eel, duchess, after all, is a woman
and surely may be allowed some claim
to heart and a-memory"
"Naturally-if she wishes to remember,
that is"
"She remembers whether she will or
not But old memories, INDUCED in soil
tude. are saddening things II is pleas
anter to recall the past with friend,
/ is it not ?"
Undoubtedly II that past be hap
Ply one. But in the case of the Duchess
Of Staffa that goes without saying. Dull
care has studiously passed her by"
! Ito BE Continued.)
/