Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-02-19
A Youth and a Maid.
By the Author OF "Th Hearts Awakening" Modern Anthonv
"A Fascinating Radical The Man 0 Her Choice Etc

braith, looking round, saw her at his
side.
Introduce me to this lady, if you
please" she said regalIy.
He hesitated.
Since l am engaged to be married 10
you, should know your friends"
Stella Gray started. Without meeting
her eyes, Galbraith went through the
introduction ceremony.
Then Lii, her manner calm, her Voice
steady, spoke again.
i ann should say, | was-engaged
to Mr.. Galbraith" size said. ITO bind
me more closely he made me swear that
would marry him. But he has played
me false, so l am free. l found this let
ter, and l read it; it was open. l am
thankful that / know how base he is.
wan you please take the letter, Miss
Gray, that you may know also? He is
yours, not mine. But do not keep him.
de Is not worthy of woman's love. Let
HIM go! Let him go! For your own
sake!"
She put the letter in the woman's
hand, then added simply, her eyes
radiant
I'm the world there is such thing as
true love, and it is very beautiful"
She slipped away from them
The young fellow is pining," said the
doctor. There is something or some one
he longs for. You, his nurses, should
know this secret, am but poor medic
al man, healer OF the body. Yet
well, Lady Haviland, I could make
shrewd guess. By the way--though of
course that has nothing to do with the
subyect-how is your niece?''
You think
Doctors don't think That is unpro-
tessional; for the most part they know"
he nodded his head sagely.
My niece is on a visit to the mother
OF her fiance," Lady Haviland hazarded.
Bless my heart l am sorry for the
boy. l was young myself once upon a
time. And you"-he glanced at Lady
Gwendolen-'you are young still"
He knew her secret. What did he not
know, this shrewd old gentleman?
A light that dazzled her broke in upon
Lady Haviland. Perhaps it would have
done so at an earlier date if she had not
been preoccupied with her own affairs.
Poor dear boy" she cried, and went
direct to Billy.
How pale he looked how wan were his
eyes, how damp lay the heavy hair upon
his forehead! He was so weak that he
could scarcely raise cup to his lips. He
took no interest in aught that passed
around him, but lay as though he list
ened, wide-eyed and watchful
4 should have guessed" Lady Gwen
dolen said to herself Il have been ter
ribly unobservant."
The room was very still. She took I'm
her knitting. Billy could hear the click
of the needles, see their flash, catch a
glimpse of the kindly face
You have been very good to me: Won
are goodness itself, and no wonder lii
loves you," he said. 1t was the first
time he had mentioned her name since
he had been conscious; while he was de.
llrious it had been constantly on his lips.
on are very fond of my little girl, .
Lady Haviland said; "are you not?"
She held his hand in hers. and looked
into his eyes as she spoke. Her glance
was so direct and searching that it drew
the reluctant words from him.
That's the pity of it, he answered, in
the feeble voice so unlike that to which
his old playfellow was accustomed;
that's the pity of it. l am too fond of
her!"
Too fond of her, dear boy! How can
that be?"
Because she belongs to some one else.
Because she-is-not free"
His voice rose; he painted out each
word slowly and painfully. Neither of
them noted the listening girl on the
threshold, the young anxious face that
broke into smiles. Lii had not troubled
to telegraph-she came unannounced.
But both heard her words, uttered
jubilantly-
Il am free, Billy--free as the air!
You were right; was wrong. He did
not love me, not he least little bit. 1t
was my money he wanted, not me! So.
look, love, l am keeping my promise! I
am kneeling to you to ask your pardon.
Look, look, Billy dear!"
He looked his fill, she biding very still
and patient, her face uplifted In her
eyes the love-light played; his were full
of devotion.
BE careful. Lillian; do not agitate him.
Be careful' pleaded the bewildered Lady
Haviland.
Lii did not seem to hear the warning.
She was kissing the thin hand that Law
on the coverlet, with mingled tears and
smiles
at is all right. Aunt Gwen" she said.
Billy and l are engaged. | will tell
you all about it afterwards. But, please.
please really think Billy ought to
know first"
Her coaxing glance drove Lady Hayi-
land from the sickroom
She was a kind, patient woman. but it
seemed to her TO be very long time be-
fore Lii came out of the room and-told
her all about it. E. Tiddeman
The Curious Stork.