Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-08-21
CHAPTER II.-Continued.

regretted not belhS able W stay anu re-
ceive YOU. 1t is so nice having tea quite
bv ourselves, without the servants dodg
ing around, isn't it? Frank deputed me
TO welcome you in his absence"
Helen noted that her guests face
elouded slightly at the mention of Mr..
Cover. Evidently the episode OF the
sweets. and what preceded it, had 18th
er been forgotten nor forgiven.
you are very kind she said simply,
not in any way as one accepting an
overwhelming favor 1t was quite ap,
parent that this young person had no
mean opinion of herself aud what was
due to her.
As Beryl slipped her tea Lady Beau
champ had an opportunity of quietly
examining her face. 1t was of rare
beauty, perfectly oval in form, with u
transparent, somewhat colorless com
plexion. Her hair, the color and texture
of silk fresh from the cocoon, hung in
tendril-like curls around her forehead.
The downcast lids We're fringed with
dark lashes Lady Beauchamp longed to
see the eyes they so jealousy shaded
but when these were suddenly turned
full on her the effect was almost start
ling. shey were so large, so ehildishly
inquiring in their expression, so deeply,
darby blue, that there was little to
distinguish between the iris and the
Lady Beauchamp,9 said Beryl, what
is guardianr"
Helen, recalled suddenly from her con-
temptation of this delicate beauty, felt
rather at loss.
why, guardian she half STAN
mered, "if-of course-a person who
guards something"
The great eyes made Helen feel hope
lessly stupid, but the dropping mouth ex
pressed not the shadow of a smile
"A guardian in your case" Helen has
tened to add, lis some one who manages
your affairs until you are of an age to
be able to do so for yourself"
And must one do everything that a
guardian says?" pursued Beryl
1T is safer and wiser so to do, for
guardian is usually an elderly person
with considerable experience of life and
its dangers ard pitfalls"
And when are we old enough to man
age our own afiairs?' continued Beryl
be the age at which perfect wisdom sets
in" replied Helen, amused at this per
sstent catechism.
do as Mr.. Cover tells me for four more
years."
Il don't think that need distress you,
Beryl," said Helen "You will not find
him at all hard taskmaster; he is very
kind"
He is horrid, asserted Beryl in per-
fectly placid tones, but with an ominous
fash of those big eyes.
My dear" expostulated Lady Beau
champ, che is my brotheT!''
That does not prevent his being hor
rid" persisted Beryl.
let us hope that when you come to
know him better your opinion will be
more lenient. | have known him all my
life, and / have learned to love him
very dearly. / hope, Beryl that, though
/ am Franklin's sister, you win not class
me as horrid, tool"
mo; you seem kind and good" said
this critical young lady, as sic gazed re-
fectiyely at her hostess.
Il have two little boys, called Eddie
and Leo" said Lady Beauchamp. They
are mischieyous little monkeys, but
trust you will not consider them horrid
also"
Il love children" said Beryl.
Then children are sure to love you"
returned Helen kindly. But you must
not let my two boys impose upon your
good nature. They invariably Legin by
being excessively polite to strangers, but
that quickly wears off, and, like all chill
dren, they never understand that people
can have too much of them"
when can | see them, if you please g
inquired Beryl.
They are sometimes allowed TO come
into the drawing room for half an hour
after dinner. | will give orders that
they are to do so tonight"
Thank you, Lady Beauchamp! | hope
i am not giving you too much trouble :"
THE trouble, if there were any, would
IN this case be q pleasure. And now, #
you have finished your tea, | am going
to take you myself to the rooms | have
had prepared for you. Franklin and /
had many consultations about them, and
hope that the result will please you"
Again that dark shadow over the
pretty face.
Helen slipped her arm through BeryPs
and led her up the wide marble staircase
and along a passage until they arrived
at an oak door which admitted them to
an octagon- shaped tower.
This is your boudoiT,'' said Lady
Beanehamp, stepping into a prettily fur
nished little sitting room. above, mp
the spiral staircase, you viii find your
bed and bathrooms. Above again is a
room for your maid communicating with
yours by electric bells and a speaking
tube. If you are inclined for higher
flights you can 90 out on the roof
which commands, they say, view of
several counties. You will be quite at
home here by yourself whenever you de-
sire to escape from the giddy haunts of
men, which / hope viii be but seldom.
Why, what do / see? A violin case
DO you play the fiddle, Beryl?"
Yes, Lady Beauchamp. Sometimes
practice all day long,
That is charming Some evening,
dear, you must be so kind as to give us
musical treat Now / viii leave you