Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-09-24


said dryly
"rma, do you think it's really a
serious thing between those two?
know you are very much in Gartmore's
confidence; you understand | don't want
to be too curious and prying."
"As if l, or any one who knows you,
would suspect you of that" Irma said in
her scornful way at is serious, Alick.
You know yourself that last winter Cart
more's attentions to her were quite open
ly spoken Of in London; and there is
certainly an understanding between
them"
DO you mean an engagement"
! Well it's not called an engagement
till it's made public, is it But Cart
more has given her rirg, and has told
her he loves her; and she has given him
her promise. Pm telling you this because
Gartmore wants you to know
docs Delisle knowf"
81 should think not; but Gartmcre is
going to tell him"
slime he did" Lorrin said. "Well,
you know, Irma, it's not right for fel.
low to hide things like that from his
father"
"Why don't you tell your father why
Kathleen has the doctorS" Irma retorted,
quick as flash. Then, seeing that the
young man flushed deeply, and that
tears rose to his eyes, she caught hold
Of his arm. Forgive me, Alick, know
that you are doing what you know Is
right and the best thing to do. I had
always a quick temper and a sharp
tongue l was never sweet and gentle
like Kathleen; and now / am growing so
bitter and savage, it almost frightens
me sometimes Forgive me-"
"You mustn't say that, Irma dear"
Lorrin said gently. There's no harm
done. But, touching this affair of Cart
more's, it will give poor Delisle and his
wife q shock, I'm afraid
"Oh. they'll get over iii" Irma replied
so bitterly that he looked at her in re-
proachful surprise. Emily Keverne is q
respectable girl; her father has been one
of Delisle's tenants for long time, and
every one hereabouts knows that she
comes of honest people. And, as for her
being star in light opera, how many
peers have married singers and actresses
It seems to me that if there's any con-
descension in the affair it's on her side.
She is marvellously gifted, and win re-.
nounce q splendid career to marry Cart
more. ] must say I don't understand
any woman marrying Gartmore."
Lorrin looked at her more reproach.
fully than ever. Irma stamped impa-
tiently on the firm sand; and the color
in her cheeks deepened.
II know what you are thinking about, |"
she said. II suppose Lord and Lady De-
Isle have spoken about it to you. Yes,
they did want to arrange a match be-
tween me and Gartmore; that was why
went away from home. Gartmore
didn't want it any more than l did.
They thought it would be good way of
keeping my money in the family" she
added
Lorrin turned towards her with the in
tention of rebuking her, in a brotherly
way, for speaking 80 unkindly and un-
dutifully of her lifelong guardians; but
just as he opened his lips to speak the
wild voice behind the rocks broke again
into song
Wha'i buy caller herrin'?
They're bonnie fish and dainty farm;
Buy my caller nerrin
, New drawn frae the Forth"
What marvellous voice 1t was! Wild
, and sweet and strong as the wind itself;
passing swiftly from the blithe inquiry
of the opening verse to wistflll dreami-
ness and solemnity--
When We were eleepin' on your pillows.
Here the singer came out from behind
the rocks, and, at the sight of Lorrin and
Irma, ceased her song; but came towards
them without embarrassment, smiling,
and holding out white hand. She was
small girl, slight, with dark hair. and
the pale face which is often seen among
the fshar folk on the eastern coast Of
Scotland. She was dressed very plainly
in black, touch of red in her hat
Miss Keefel" Lorrin said, bIushinp,
and in his confusion greeting her by her
stage name.
mo, not Kitty Keefe just. now, if you
please, Mr.. Lorrin. Here, at home, I'm
just Emily Keverne, the fishermans
daughter, going singing about the shore
as used to do when l was barefooted
lassie."
Her dark eyes were looking past them
in a curious way while she was speaking.
Her manner was quite self possessed, but
instantly Irma guessed that the singing
had been signal to some one
, Irma's blue eyes darted look along
the shore. That dark distant figure must
be Viscount Gartmore
Ito Be Continued)