Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-03-05


known"
For heavens sake, Bab!'
"You think / should not say such
things, but it is true, and it is the last
time. have promised him"
"Whom z" said Oliver hoarsely.
1T is Sir Jeklyn Carr" faltered Bah,
with dropping head. The old nickname,
Butterflies and Bugs" had nearly
slipped out
"Heavensl" said Oliver rudely and
emphatically.
He is so much nicer than Aunt Heph-
zibah,'' pleaded Bah humbly, feeling the
contempt in his tone.
But you can't love him, il you say
you are sorry. Bah, Bah, what have
you done?"
II like him. said Bah. "and Aunt
Hephzibah said it was only in books that
people thought of-of the other"
There was muttered imprecation
from Oliver. His mind was in whirl
He saw that Bah did not love him as
yet, that she had only the dimmest con
ception of what love meant, but he be-
ieved, and thrilled at the thought that
she was very near loving him, that it
lay with him to waken her or not As
things stood she confessed to liking him
better than her destined husband.
"YOu are determined to marry him? 2"
he said at last thickly
"I-oh, have promised, Noll! 1t is
too late to go back now"
"Of course he loves you. Bab?"
Bah gave him one quick look, and col,
ored again.
II suppose So she said hesitatiug
y. Then she added aimlessly- He has
taken up botany; | am to help him
Again there was long silence. Bah
gazed before her with clasped hands. and
Oliver fought with his emotions as best
he could. At last he chose his path, and
spoke resolutely
Listen, little girl | want You to
promise me something. Forget what |
have just said about-about myself |
did not know how things stood. But you
are so young! If l We're your-well-
brother any one who would have the
right to advise you, l would ask YOU to
think -,ery hard before you do this thing.
believe in sticking to promises. and
keeping ones word with auv man, but
in some cases | believe the wiser and
more courageous thing to do is to take
If you regret having given your word.
it is only fair both to yourself and to
him that old Bu-that Carr should know
it. 1t is lie that love is only found in
books 1t is the principal thing in life.
The thing that matters most. Without
it marriage is crime and folly. Oh.
Bah, it is for you to decide! | do not
plead for myself. | only ask you not to
90 on with this business unless YOU feel
you can give more than mere liking to
the man you are to marry. Do YOU for
give me for talking like this, little
chum %
Forgive! There is nothing to forgive
Oh, l wish l had mother! Noll. | want
I want my mother! l am so lonely"
He gripped the SOULS fercely, and
forced the boat on towards the creek.
Hush, darl-hush, Bah! Don't cry
Pm going to take you home now Tor
you are worn out You must think il al!
out in the morning. My dear my dear
don't-you break my heart!"
He helped her out, and gently wiped
away her tears.
Bah sobbed something incoherently
her face against mis- sleeve.
What is it, Bab?" he asked
"Nothing!'-she stopped in the middle
of sob to smile-"except that it's nice
to have some one to mop up the tears p"
Noll laughed, and took her hand.
Come then, we're going to run home
| in the old style. and you are going to be
the same plucky little soul you always
were"
"All right, Noll!" returned Bah, with
an attempt at cheerfulness, Iesolutely
putting his damp handkerchief back into
his coat pocket. Now for the music!"
They ran home, through the wood and
over the fields. When they had reached
the shrubbery they halted.
."You-you must go now, Noll," she
said.
Eyes, I'm going, dear Be brave,
Bah! | shall be here at the inn, and you
will write to me or send me message.
What do you think you will do?"
The gray eyes met his steadily in the
dusk
II don't know. I'm confused. l
must think. But it seems to me that if
if he wants it, it must be-"
Oliver was silent, every incn Of him
protesting at the thought.
HE will not" he broke out at last
passionate w nat man WOuIQ. Even
if he does Bah, remember you have still
the right to release yourself Without
love you have no right to marry him"
81 don't know. He may want to do So
told him l only liked him, and he said
it made no difference-that we should
no doubt get on very well. That l was
very young, and that women naturally
loved their husbands when they were
their husbands. He-he is very proud
in his way and very determined, and he
does not like to be thwarted when he
has made up his mind"
She passed her hand YEARLY across her
eyes.
"Oh, it is disloyal," she went on; at
is wicked of me to talk to you about
him. But it seems so natural
yes, dear" Oliver said huskily. She
seemed almost to have forgotten that it
had ever been question of anything
but the old friendship, and he was con
tent that she should.
Il think he will still want it. And if
so, must-oh, | must keep my word
can remember my young father'--her