Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-07-03
CHAPTER III.

II wonder whether I ought to 60 this
morning or not? There has been no mes
sage left from Mrs. Lynthwaite." Nan
spoke tentatively, standing irresolute be-
tween Shirley and Miss Faith, and wait
| ing anxiously for their opinion.
She had been staying with them since
that awful day of her brothers arrest.
The thought of the 19year-old girl liv-
ing alone, going through the time of sus-
pense and anxiety, was one that neither
of them could endure. They had decided
| that she was to make her home with
them permanently now; but this morn
ing the Monday after that fateful Sat-
urday when Lance was convicted she
had left them at the breakfast table,
and had been round to her old rooms in
the expectation of finding a note or mes
| sage awaiting her For several months
past now Nan had gone to and fro five
days in the week to teach the two little
girls who not long before had come over
from India to make a home with their
grandparents. Her task was an easy
one, and she loved it; the salary was
liberal, her little charges idolized her,
but now in the face of the events of the
last few weeks-more than all after
what had come to pass on Saturday
she was not sure that Mrs. Lynthwaite
would care to have her there again.
what do you both think about it Z"
she asked, glancing perplexedly from
one to the other.
Shirley said nothing. Her set, white
face grew colder and harder, her lips
compressed into a thin close line. Had
she been in Mans place she would never
have set foot inside the Lynthwaites'
house again. But Miss Faith was cast in
gentler mould.
Il think, dear, you should go as
usual" came her quiet answer. why
not /? If Mrs. Lynthwaite had wished
otherwise she would have surely sent
word. And if she wishes you to stay
away in future she can but tell you so
today. Go, dear; you have nothing
either to fear or to be ashamed of; and
there's no need for you to stand in
your own light by staying away of your
own accord"
So Nan set forth as usual-as usual,
save that the old brightness was gone
from her face, that her mind was full
of troubled thought, and that, despite
Miss Cadogan's gentle encouragement,
she was conscious of kind of shrinking
nervousness and doubt as to the prob
able manner of her reception.
Il shall ask Mrs. Lynthwaite about it
point blank today" she decided. her
steps tagging little as the gables of
Lyncroft came in sight. "It's unbear-
able coming here day after day in this
state of doubt and uncertainty. 1t was
bad enough before-before Saturday; it
will be ten times worse now. Perhaps
she thinks it kinder to give me the OPP
por: unity of dismissing myself-it would
be better for my own after prospects,
of course can seo that. Miss Heriot 2
Mans train OF thought went on, a smile
of mingled soreness and irony shadow
ing her lips. "'Oh, yes We found her
perfectly efficient and trustworthy. In
fact, during the short time she was with
us she satisfied us completely, and left
us of her own accord That version
would sound infinitely better than the
other What more likely than that Mrs |
Lynthwaite, reluctant 20 stand in any
ones light these hard times, is waiting |
and hoping that l shall realize itl"
In that surmise, however, Non was |
quite at fault.
why should you have such foolish |
thought as that--that ! want you to |
cease coming here2" Mrs. Lynthwaite
asked, looking up with kindly, reas-
surfing smile, when the girl came to her
before she left that afternoon and put /
her quiet question. @You have given us
no cause for complaint. Gwen and Nora
love their Miss Naa'--you teach them l
weIl-we all get on admirably. / for
one am not in the least anxious to alter I
this happy state of thiugs.p
Il thought faltered Nan, with flushed /
cJs4eks and lowered eyeiids that is, / \
was afraid
Il know what you mean, poor ehiIdl" I
Mrs Lynthwaite's voice was fun of 4
sympathy. But that i