Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-04-30
CHAPTER VIII.

natyne, as she stopped over to whisper
DO Mrs. Gerard in the drawing room at
sOch Linnhe that night before dinner.
81 don't think se,'' Mrs. Gerard an
swered, in the same tone, for Mona was
nat far away. 81 asked her the same
question just now, but she said she had
grown tired of her pink frock, and the
other was torn in dancing"
"She can't help looking sweet whatever
she puts on" Lady Bannatyne said. @And
don't you think Jean looks rather well
tonight"
every well indeed!" But she was still
considering Mona with troubled eyes A
little fatigue, a little lack of color even,
might be excusable after the excitement
of the day, but Mona was no coward.
Jeans lover was at her elbow, and
Mona's lover was-where? Standing
silent and sulky on the rug, as well as
she could see without looking at him.
The ladies of the party had remained
below during the homeward voyage,
which was accomplished in a dreary
downpour and an almost fat calm. Very
glad indeed had Mrs. Gerard been to
reach the privacy of her own room dur
ing the few moments allowed to dress
for dinner, and so secure a chance to re-
cover. in some small measure at least,
her seli-control.
At first she could oaly stand in front
of the fire with hands wrung tightly to-
gether, and dazed eyes fixed on the blaz-
ing wood, the words ringing in her ears
'eYou are more 20 me than a thousand
Monas!" And for a long time they car
ried no meaning to her mind. Then
despair seized her.
"Oh, Mona, my baby!" she cried, pac-
ing the room. "It is not true-he was
only mad for a moment He loves you
he must love you, for l have made you
love him. 1t is all my fault have
made you love him! If l had held my
foolish tongue he would never have en-
tered into your dreams. But he is yours,
Mona, my darling Don't think that
any ridiculous old past could rise like a
ghost between you, whatever he may
fancy Tomorrow he will know that it
was only a stupid dream"
The first dinner gong reused her. How
willingly woull she have pleaded head
ache. but Mona would be uneasy, and
they would all wonder. She brushed her
hair hastily, then Mona came, and they
went downstairs together.
They were waiting in the great dim
drawing room for the second gong, and
presently it sounded, and she passed into
the still vaster dining room on Sir
Johns arm. The boys were very merry
there was much laughter and the
chatter of young voices down the long
bright table. Alastair Ogilvie was there
sitting beside Jean; Jack had met him
on the moors that day, and made him
promise to come. The handsome young
giant seemed to have a good deal to say
to Jean, and she to him, but Charlie
Finch did not appear to resent their con-
fdences.
Mrs. Gerard heard and saw them
through kind of haze-nothing seemed
real to her tonight She saw Mona in
her white gown, her hair caught up at
the nape of her neck and tied with a
blue ribbon, a little turquoise locket on
a blue velvet round her throat. Her
cheeks were so pale, her eyes so wistful
they sent pang to her mothre's heart
She sat near Lord Trefoil, but they did
not address each other as she could see
but the red and yellow asters hid the
man from her view.
1t was late when dinner was over, and
The brougham came round to take the
Gerrards home. Sir John went out with
them, and all the other men, Mr.. Ogilvie
among them, and Jean came as far as
the portico. 1t was still raining in tor
rents. Lord Trefoil was the last to wish
them good night He stood by the car
rage door bareheaded, and shook hands
with them one after the other.
II am going to Ardcaein tomorrow
he said. 81 want to speak to. you, Mrs
Gerrard-if l may?'
'Surely!" she said coldly. 81 shall be
at home; and Mona shall keep heI
indoors all day to rest"
The carriage moved on, and he stepped
back, and so they rolled away over the
wet gravel, and presently the light OF
the lamps shone on the pine woods, and
sent shifting CLEANS across Mona's face
as she leant back in her corner opposite
her mother
you are very silent, Mona" She
stopped and took hold of the girls hand
as it lay. palm upwards, on her knee
Are you very tired, dearest 2"
What an absurd little nanny it is,
the girl said, with something of her OLD
manner, always imagining I look pale
and all sorts of nonsensel jeans mother
doesn't worry about her like that"
"Jeani" Mrs. Gerard said scornfully
There is nothing the matter with Jean
Except" she added in q lighter tone
that l think she is flirting too much
with Mr.. Ogilvie if she is really engaged
to Mr.. Finch.''
Mona moved restlessly, pulling away
her hand.
Shall I shut the window, mother
The rain is coming in on this side"
If you like" She leant back rather
YEARLY, resting her head on her cushion
Mona retired into the corner, and there
out Of the shadow, watched her mothers
face with a peculiar look on her own
a doubtful look, a questioning look, al
who should say, "If l tell you something
If make a confession, how will yoJ
take it1 viii you be angry? Or would
it be better to hold my tongue?" But
her mother did not see her look She
was going over, with closed eyes. thai
scene on the deck of the Minneba ba