Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-12-11
CHAUTER vIn.-COntinued.

ness not for me, DEAR" he said, looking
steadily at her. II am poor-heavily
Handicapped You are ch-bountifully
blessed"
HE speaks WELL" jeered the old man.
rect you gone, Dianai He losses you
aside like cast-off fnery."
'You wicked, hateful man." Diana said
En clear and ringing tones, while her
bosom heaved and her wide eyes flung
proud defiance at him. EDO you think l
care twopence for your miserable hoard
ed gold side by side with his devotion.
He is my love, my lifei Here, in the
sight of heaven, / make my choice.
Z Claud, beloved" She ran to his side and
wreathed her arms about his neck
'Oaud, you cannot cast me off, because
will not gol For better, for worse, for
richer, for poorer, l choose you--youl
Take-take me, dear, for would rather
wear rags at your side than a million
Jewels as Uncle Mats heiressl"
Mcclure put his arms round her,
stopped and kissed her in the old mans
sight, and said with tenderness
at shall never be rags, Napoleon
Thus face to face this trio stood in
The mellow stiffness of the October aft
frnoon-the youngsters, steadfast in the
depth of their devotion; the elder, para
Eyed in rage and defeat.
He sought for words, but none came.
Ills shaking limbs and twitching lips re
fused to do his bidding And at this
tense crisis DR.. Sanderson came round
The corner of the terrace
In flash of time he comprehended the
situation, made a quick step forward,
and supported the enraged and tottering
pld man into the house
He went, catching dumbly at his thin
Alps with knotted, nervous, futile fingers
kiss me, Diana FART" said Mcclure
in tired voice
And, kneeling down beside him, she
laid her face against his and comfortcd
him with her love-
THAT was troublesome mischief
making rosebud" she said at last sadly.
f'If it had not fallen from your pocket
who knows but you might still be lightly
besting and | gaiy spurning. Why did
Eou keep it there? ] had not given it to
you"
mo, you had not You never gave me
anything But you dropped it one day
at the gate while you talked to me, and
I put it in my pocket in remembrance
of the most severe mentor l had ever
known"
ooh, was / severeY"
Severe and, oh, most sweet"
as it in your pocket now"
"Now, Napoleon; and if my feeble
health refuses to bear the strain-whv,
then you must bury it with me in my
coffin"
81 forbid YOU TO Jest today. We have
so many grave things to talk about"
let us leave them to Dr. Sanderson
TO decide For I must get him to drive
me home in an hour"
ooh, MOI"
Il was trying to nerve myself to a
move tomorrow. Now, il must be TODAY.
Don't try to dissuade me, Napoleon, be-
cause it is hard enough to leave You al
ready"
"What an example you set me! To
think | should ever have accused you of
Sinking duty, my dear, brave, uncom-
planning hero"
might l have word, Miss FayrerY"
said Sanderson behind them. at is ur.
gent. Otherwise I wouldn't disturb YOU
Your uncle has had stroke. He can't
hast out the night. He signs to see you,
nnd you must come at once"
Diana got up from her low chair with
"A white face
IF it is to order me to give up Mr.
Mcclure, | can't-even for dying mani"
1T isn't. Come! You mustn't lngero
She followed him into the quiet house
without backward glance at Mcclure,
and they entered Nathaniel Crockett's
room together
He was watching for her with dim
and fading eyes, and motioned her with
a lean finger to draw near him.
Diana came, and, kneeling down at his
side, put her arms round him, and kissed
him.
He regarded her for some moments
with an earnest gaze, and then his Inns
worked feebly.
"Lean-your-ear -down," he said at
painful intervals. 'Brave-dilipent-
you have been. l can't die without saw
ing-I should like you--to be happy
with him. Sanderson says"
Yes, yes" interposed the doctors
Kindly voice. Diana understands all
you would tell her. Mr.. Crockett did not
know Mcclure as we'll as /, Diana. He
decides, on my recommendation. that he
will make you good husband"
The old mans lips worked in their
desperate endeavor to confirm the phv.
sician's words; but he could only. by a
difficult gesture, convey his meaning to
Ehis listeners ear.
Diana looked at him as if in a dream.
Events had crowded so fast upon her in
the last few hours of her life that her
brain hardly disceTned which was shad
low, which substance Then she laid her
head down on the pillow beside the dy-
Ping man, and, sobbing, softly murmnred-
"You are very generous, Uncle Nat. to
Ito forgive me, so soon"
Good bye!" he sylabled in a whisper
"Your aunt-send her-'Cood -bye'-and
be happy!"
Four days after Uncle Nathaniel was
buried letter was brought to Diana as
she knelt packing for home.
She smiled, recognizing her lovers
writing; and, rising from her knees. sat
down ON the he'd To reah Il