Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-07-02


"Eh?" Mr.. Hesslerigge paused, painted,
stared. you won't? Why not 2"
Because l hardly see the utility of
giving ehase 90 lady who doesn't want
me, and who, if she isn't married already,
certainly viii be long before ! can catch
her" He laughed again; the exultant
note of it made Verona shudder as
though a whip lash had cut her Il am
Tilted, which is not supposed to be a par
ticularly pleasant position for a marb
but at any rate l can endeavor to bear
it with philosophy"
Philosophy" the millionaire growled.
He eyed Martingale doubtfully. Seems
to me you're precious cool over it, Mar
tingale-upon my word it does You
don't mean you had all inkling Of what
nay lady was after?"
Not in the least. Come. Mr. Hess
lerigge, you are angry of course--it is
natural you should be; but let me advise
you to think better of it. Young Priteh
ard is a gentleman and a good fellow
as far as l know, and likely. | hope, to
make your daughter far happier than /
should have done AS to his position. to
That he is your son-in-law makes his
position, after all As for disinheriting
your only child for choosing the husband
she hkes-Tm sure that's the last thing
you would ever dream of doing"
"Humphl" said the millionaire. Every
body knew that Laura had twisted her
father round her finger from the time
she was 6 years old And the good man
had the greatest respect for the peerage
"Dyou say, swallow it all-forgive 'em,
thenH" he demanded.
"Of course forgive them! AS for the
swallowing-every man of sense accepts
the inevitable; they're probably married
by now. You will get the orthodox let
ter full of penitence and explanations in
day or two no doubt Take lay advice.
Mr.. Hesslerigge, and answer it as kindly
as by that time l hope you'll feel dis.
posed to Dc. 1t would give me, / assure
you, the sincerest pleasure to' know that
that would be the case" \
The millionaire was not to be appeased
at once; he growled and grumbled for
some minutes longer with great yehem.
ence and spirit. If the lieutenant didn't
deserve to be cashiered he had at any
rate deserved to receive something or
other indefinite and severe, while there
could be no doubt that bread and water
in moderation would do Miss Laura good.
Finally, being after all a man almost as
soft of heart as he was hot of temper,
he went away, muttering STILL but less
explosive.
Verona, waiting in the sitting room,
heard him close the door and come back.
She had hardly uttered a word since her
reading of the letter, and had not once
looked at him. As he entered she sank
down into chair by the fire, crouching
over it. She could stand no longer The
tone OF his voice-happy, exultant, eager
stabbed her through
Il was obliged to soothe the old man;
ID was the least could do He little
guesses that if could but find the girl
I'd go down on my knees to thank her.
Long live the British navyl Dearest,
after all, I'm glad that you wouldn't 90
with me last night. A woman like you
hates to do the unconventional thing,
know. But it seemed the only way out.
How long must it be before you'll allow
it to be understood that you are en-.
gagged to met"
He was at her side, his arm rounr her
waist. The passionate, tender, posses
sive touch was more than she could en-
dure. She started up and away from
him.
''Neverl" she said hoarsely, 'Neveri
1t makes no differencel"
mo difference" His arm dropped as
he stared at her, only incredulity in his
face as yet. 81 am free!"
Eyes, you are. But / am mott"
Mott What do you meant"
THAT I am not" She clenched her
hands, trying to keep herself steady.
ooh, I tried to tell you," she said
piteously, '1ast night on the moorl
When refused to go, it was not Laura
was thinking of-you were right in
saying she would not care--it was
Robert Halstead"
"You are engaged to him? 2"
"Yes!" She dropped into her chair
again, burying her face. ooh, it seems
like some horrible jokel 1t was only
the day you came"
"Only the day L camel" To her it
seemed long before he laughed "Who
says that the Fates have not sense
of humorf"
She made no answer-tried to make
none. He bent over her and forcibly
lifted her to her feet.