Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-02-28

4
a young girl. She had understood that he
was engaged. But one day he told her
! that the engagement was broken off, She
could not have explained to herself how
/ it was that the news set her heart beat
| ing so fast.
Il think / shall come and live here al
| together" he said, one morning. while he
was helping her TO pick gooseberries.
"Oi,, you would soon grow tired of it,"
she answered. Those who have lived
years in London cannot long exist away
from it,"
Cyril was fascinated, and, left alone,
begaH to picture in a dreamy mood what
a charming, sympathetic wife Ruth would
make. And he fingered on at The Haw-
| thcTns week after week, but still shrink
| ing from uttering the final word But
no woman could have mistaken the mean
| ing of his attentions, of the touch of his
hand, of the look in his eyes, the thrill in
| his voice. And poor Ruth was daily fall
| ing deeper and deeper in love with him.
| In the meantime Sibyl Heathcote was
| bravely fighting against The weakness of
| her heart and assuming an air of callous
indifference. She would not acknowledge
even to herself that she was the ag-
| EAN97Oi III any way " Dldluc, ne must
have been very eager to be free or he
would not have so quickly taken advan-
| tage of my letter." she argued.
you are we'll rid OF such man. Bet
| ter to be deserted before marriage than
after it, said the amt.
Never before had Sibyl been so bril-
liant or drawn so many admirers around
her. Yet she shrank from any one who
became marked in his attentions. She
went about everywhere, and always with
smiling face; but it was remarked that
she was growing thinner, that there was
hectic brillianey in her eyes and upon
her checks, and forced ring in her
laughter.
One morning she was unable to rise
from her bed. The doctor was sent for
1t was case of severe nervous prostra-
ton complicated by feverish symptoms.
he said.
The next day she was worse
On Friday afternoon fly drove from
the nearest railway station to The Haw-
thorns, out of which stepped Jack Lin
ton, with valise in his hand.
Can you put me up for the weekend,
Mrs. Moulton?" he inquired
"Oh, certainly Mr.. Linton, with pleas
ure! | suppose you know that Mr.. Dale
is here 2"
oh, yes! Is he about anywhere?"
Il think you will find him in the gar
dem
Jack lit up a cigarette and strolled
down path crowded on either side with
rose bushes, apple and plum trees. There
was summer house at the bottom of
the walk, occupied by Cyril and the
daughter of the house. They were seat
ed side by side, Cyril apparently gazing
very earnestly into her face; she, with
downeast eyes pulling to pieces some
primrose she held IN her Gngers.
The picture would have explained itself
to far less shrewd observer than Jack
Linton. He drew back out of sight, and
then called out, cyril, are you there 2"
to give Ruth cGance of getting away.
Cyril hurried to meet him. Hello,
Jack! Who would have thought of see
ing your" he cried, grasping his hand,
but his manner was very discomposed.
y have come down for the week END,
for one thing, and wanted TO see YOU
What's the matter-anythi wrong?7
inquired Cyril, with a very anxious look.
"Sybil Heathcote is seriously I'LL"
"What-what's the matter?'' he asked
in a scarcely audible voice.
NERVOUS prostitution, utter break
down! | told you at the time you were
not justified in breaking off your en-
gagement for a silly letter. Sibyl is
breaking her heart and l would not an
swer for her life if you don't return to
her!"
Don't tell me that!' cried Cyril, white
as death.
Unions words had rearoused the old
love, smothered for time by angry pas
sions. Sibyl was dying dying of his de-
sertionl He must fly to herl But what
OF the ether woman whose heart he had
been playing upon?"
He covered his face with his hands.
Linton understood the struggle But he
was memorable.
You must not lose a moment; YOU
must return to town by the next train.
1t Is your duty as a man of honor, and
there is no escaping from iti''
And Cyril went.
Linton was as much at home at The
Hawthorns as Dale. After dinner he and
Ruth were alone in the drawing room.
Il am afraid you brought Mr. Dale
some very bad news, as he went away so
suddenly" she said, as she ran her fin
gers over the keys of the piano.
well, yes. You know he is engaged
"0h, but that is all broken off! I" she
said, hastily.
well, they had lovers quarrel; he
went off in tiff; behaved very badly, l
think! She has fallen dangerously i'll
through it, and now he has rushed up to
London, all repentance"
| The white fingers lay motionless upon
the piano keys; there was darkness in
her eyes and a singing in her ears. How
she saved herself from fainting was a
miracle.
Linton pretended not to see anything
/ of this as he turned over a pile of music
in search of a song What a brute |
| feel" he thought to himself poor girl!
poor girl! How sorry / am But it
would have been cruel kindness to linger
over it."
Ruth played the accompaniment for
Linton, and even sang herself. But, oh
/ ha ho ~