Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-11-19

is the last on the list. Will you take it
with me?'
She held out little white card like a
dance programme, as she spoke.
Most gratefully" he replied
The Ladies'" he read, as he took hold
of the dangling little pencil; "the ladies
isn't for your sake told you | had
done helping you out of your scrapes.'
And it's for her sake, then. 1 didn't
know we were rivals
For her sake-yes. She's a woman
and a lady. She deserves honorable
treatment from any man; she expected
it from Manton Are you going to
give me that ticket?"
Charlie stepped to the drawer and
handed over the offending slip.
''If l weren't in such deuce of a
hole, I'll be hanged if I'd let you have
it, he said, Sowing
Frank finished dressing, and FASTENED
from the room. Three quarters of an
hour later he was hurrying back toward
that's hard subject, Miss Laughton.
You will have to do all the talking; but
you will have delightful listener, l as
sure you"
Across the room Charlie sat, openly
flirting with a pretty little blonde.
Frank threaded his way to where they
sat and politely handed his card to the
lady. As she bent over it, he contrived
to slip the packet with the ring into his
brothers palm.
Before his card was quite full, the
bell rang and the buzzing began.
His topic with the little blonde was
next to the last on the list.
As he approached her she drew aside
her skirts with pretty gesture, and be-
gan to talk airily. He listened a mo-
ment. smiling to himself at the dainty
| frivolity she was unconsciously unfold
| ing; then her words became a tumble
of light tones.
In corner, half shaded by a large
palm, sat his brother and Miss Laugh
ton. Her left hand lay in his, and his
curly head was bent low above it.
The blonde girl chatted on for mo-
ment; then she looked in the direction
her companion was gazing, and her
cheeks flushed.
Charlie glanced up just then, and his
eyes met theirs. Something seemed to
flash across his face; for second he
stared at them; then he smiled, care
| lessly, and turned again to Miss Laugh
ton.
The bell rang for change of part
ners.
Frank released himself with a bow
and took the place his brother had Just
vacated. Unconsciously his eyes sought
Miss Laughton's hand. She was toying
with the silken cord of her topic card
and the bit of blue looked up at him
from its encircling diamonds, seeming
to mock him with his brothers light love
you were to do the talking, you
know" said Miss Laughton's clear voice
"and, please, sir, I'm waiting"
'Was II" he answered. ''That was
your bargain, | believe but I'm quite
willing, for you were misjudging me,
remember"
| His words came in a rush then; strong
words, telling her, though she knew it
not, his 'dea of Cre woman. and that
woman herself.
She listened, with eyes fixed on her
clasped hands. When he ceased speaking
| she lifted her head and looked into his
glowing face.
Mr. Manton,' she said, you are 60
ing to be disappointed in life, l fear.
Women aren't like that. l wish we
were, but we're not. We're just ordi-
nary mortals; you have made us angels
and saints"
Il believe you are right in one thing,
| Miss Laughton." he answered. 81 shall
be disappointed in life, yes; but be-
lieve l know that somewhere there is
woman who is all have pictured to
you"
AND you believe that you will find
her, only to meet with disappointment -
Il have found herr
"And the disappointment
Her eyes were turned away from his,