Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-03

paused with one consent and silently sur
veyed the scene.
We have not heard the last of Prof.
Volkmarr yet" Godfrey said. when
MISS Percival is better he will reappear
for tie final aact of the drama Freda,
you viii laugh at me, but / have a feel
ing that there viii soon be strange devel-
opments.'
DO you think so? Well, whatever
comes l will keep tight hold on Nest"
DO so. wonder if Miss Percival has
made her will2 She never mentioned the
subject to your"
Never; and you may be certain I new
er asked her"
NO; there would be something queer
about such a question. l have 10 such
scruples. I mean to find out"
How could you do that2'
Il have lot of time on my hands, and
may as well be employing it usefully. T.
looked up your grandfathers will when I
was in London, and found that he be-
queathed everything absolutely to your
aunt. She can leave it to whom she
pleases. What are you listening to SO
intently7"
Did you hear noise in the bushes %
They both listened, but all was silent.
81 certainly heard something" Freda
went on. Il wonder if anybody could
have been listeningH Do you know,
Godfrey, I have creepy feeling ever
since you talked aboSt Aunt Ruth's
will"
(Which was exactly two minutes ago."
he remarked, laughing. However, you
shall not have creepy feeling if I can
help it." He plunged into the thicket,
but it was more matted than he expected
and he could not make quick progress.
He could now distinctly hear the sound
of some one tearing way through the
tangled underwood in front, but when he
had struggled into an open space there
was nothing to be seen. He waited
moment, and then returned to Freda.
81 have torn my coat" he said, "but
my sally has had no other result. New
ertheless there was some one listening to
us. We must keep ourselves on the
watch"
1t was about this time that Godfrey
asked the housekeeper quietly to prepare
a room for him in order that he might
remain in the house at night. Miss Per-
cival was not apprised of the change, but
Freda felt it an immense relief. Godfrey
was often absent for hours during the
day, particularly when Nest began slow
ly to recover, but Freda always felt safe
at night.
Nest had never put into words the
story of her wilfulness and misery, but
the two sisters understood everything
without speech. 1t was happiness for
Nest to lie and watch Freda moving
20 %hn oA,gn1 Of har xynInn n
see her smile, and feel herself safe once
more. She did not seem TO care to ask
questions; she rested and grew strong
hour by hour.
Christmas was within appreciable dis
lance when the doctor at length pro-
nouneed Miss Percival fit to leave her
room. She had been constant in her in
quiries for Nest, but had never expressed
wish to see her.
Godfrey advised that Nest should re-
main some days longer in the large,
cheerful sitting room which had been al
lotted to her and Freda until her aunt
should ask for her. He was counting the
hours until he could once more see his
darling, but his love was unselfish, and
he put her interests before his own.
One of Miss Percival's first acts after
she was established below was to send
for him She seemed to him to be more
shadowy and frail than ever.
''You have been very good to us all,
Mr. Howard" she said. 'Freda has been
telling me what a comfort you have been
to her and everybody. 1t must be-
she glanced timidly at his kindly, hand
some face-"an interest more than com
mon which binds you to these two girls"
you are right. Freda has been a sis
ter to me for years, and my dearest hope
is that Nest may be something more"
81 should wish It'll" she cried, hectic
color flaming into her wan face. Il know
| shall not live long, and | should like to
be sure that the girls had protector be-
| fore | am taken from them"
"If Nest accepts me they shall have
one in me- You know she gave me a
most decided rebuff some time ago"
"But it viii be different now. Freda
| has been telling me all about her, and /
am sure you need not have any fear.
! Could not your marriage take place soon
very quietly? Freda would stay with
me to nurse me until the end, and /
should die happy if ! knew she was pro-
vided for"
Gould you not provide for herr" Geof-
frey said quietly, with steady look into
''These two girls are the heirs of their
the agitated, quivering face before him.
grandfather To whom ought his money
90 but to them?'
II will do all can. If you marry Nest
l will give her all have now, before |
die. Oh, Mr. Howard, you will not re-
| fuse my request 2"
Miss Percival became so painfully agi-
tated that Godfrey felt it would be un-
wise to press his point. He babe her
good bye and left the room. Freda met
| him in the hall.
How is she?" she asked. He shook
| his head.
Il must go up to London" he said.
"Will you tell the housekeeper that
shall be absent tonight? And may / see
Nest before 1 go? Is she strong enough -
| you will find her in the sitting room"
| She gave him her hand with bright af-
| fectionate smile.
| He tapped lightly at the door Nests
voice called to him to enter and he
obeyed.