Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-05-28

enter now and see this occupant Of Han
nah's old chair! But even Robert would
have no doubt about him; whoever and
whatever he might be, he was at least
gentleman. Air, voice, manner dress
proclaimed it alike.
Il am glad you saw the light" she
repeated. 'If you had tainted and lain
insensible in this rain it would have been
terrible, Did you say you missed your
way, and fen?'
Yes" He spoke slowly. withdrawing
his eyes to look thoughtfully at the fire
Il don't know the moor-I was never
here before. But l had directions which
L thought I could follow, and / knew
which way | wanted to bear. But my
bump of locality is defective, l suppose,
for l soon lost my bearings completely.
| saw some lights in the distance, and
thought l had better make for them.
So l began to run, and went pitching
headlong over what seemed 10 be sheer
cliff, and the fall knocked the senses out
of me-"
ooh, the Black rocks!" Verona said.
about two miles from here, was it not !?
You might have been killed."
only two miles! 1t seemed more like
four. was pretty well soaked when I
came to myself, and the rain was pelt-
ing. Horribly sick and dizzy, and be-
wildered, too. Heaven knows how long
l had been stumbling and staggering
about when | saw your light" He
looked at her again. did I understand
that your father is doctor?"
"Wasi" Verona corrected simply. HE
died five years ago"
But you-pardon me-do not live
alone here?"
His tone and look informed her that
an affirmative reply was the last thing
to be expected. She gave it, feeling
sure of what he would say and do next.
He rose instantly.
"Once more, thousand thanks!" he
said. your tonic has pulled me to-
gether, and. thanks to your surgery, my
head viii be little the worse, 1 hope. II
you will be so good as to direct me-
He broke off, swaying as he moved to-
wards his thrown-down coat. Verona
caught his arm and seated him in the
chair again. Like all born nurses she
could be dictatorial when she chose.
"You must not think of going" she
said rebukingly. How can you imagine
that l should allow such a thing? !
should feel that l had murdered you
Why, the village and the nearest inn are
| four miles away. You could never walk
it-you would faint-and the rain is
worse than ever You must stay here
until the morning, at least"
His eyes had closed as his head sank
back upon the cushions In a moment
he opened them, regarding her with a
smile half rueful, half humorous.
Il believe you are right. May know
your name?"
verona Ford"
Thank you'll I believe you are right
Miss Ford" He glanced at her bare left
hand before using the name, and Verona
felt herself blush hotly, recollecting the
ring thrust away in the drawer of hel
desk. IF you can possibly allow me tt
remain here for the night I will do sc
with the sincerest gratitude But car
your"
"Quite easily!" Verona assured him
and indeed it was all arranged in heI
mind already. Hannah's room at tn,
back of the sitting-room would spare hin
the stairs; he must sleep there. For the
present he had better stay where he wa.
by the fire.
at am puzzling myself to bewilder
ment," he said abruptly, ito find ou
how in the world it comes about thai
Iyou live here-here and lone Am I tot
inexcusably curious? Or will you tel
mel"
Verona told him readily enough; i
was quite simple matter to her think
ing. Listening, he smiled once or twic,
in fashion she did not see.
YES" he said slowly, repeating he
last words, 81 can believe that you Xix,
it. Miss Ford But it is a strange, al
extraordinary, life to be lived by a CIR
like you"
Verona laughed when he said this
and afterwards, up in her room, sh
laughed again, as she stood taking dow
her heavy hair. Her eyes were very
bright in the mirror, her dusky cheek
brilliant; she felt reused, excited, quick
ened, happy. Her quiet and solitud,
were precious things, but to have then
broken in upon was delighted too
"a girl like I ami" she said aloud
"When was / called girl before, l won
der2 And yet as things are countet
now l am one, suppose. Perhaps i
has made me feel old living so mucl
alone. I don't fancy Robert thinks o
me as girl"
She laughed again, and blushed as shi
glanced down at her hand, for in bid
ding her good night the stranger had
with an apologize glance, and yet witt
dash of audacity oddly attractive t,
her. bent his dark head and pressed hi
lips upon it. The act was so uneXpecte,
that it had set her heart beating, ant
made her blush as she was blushin
now. Verona, although it was so lon
since she had been called girl, was il
some ways very young.
"He is everything said the million
J aires daughter in a tone Of resignation
that Aunt Maria could wish"
That is good at any rate" Observes
, Verona.
, at would be more to the purpose,
the millionaires daughter retortec
rather spitefully, IF Aunt Maria wa
going to marry him. But I've got to-
"Of course I meant that / was gla
that your aunt likes him, dear
at ;lyas him She adorps him. He j