Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-07-30

Miss Dawson gave some orders to the
eabman. and then told Ianthe TO follow
her inside. A long fight of stone stairs
finally led TO a landing where an impos-
ing glass door once more announced the
name of John Mcqueen" Further
along wooden door appeared, having a
brass bell, on whose plate appeared the
legend, House"
Miss Dawson rang a sounding peal, but
at the same instant the glass door of
the studio was burst violently open and
an excited woman appeared.
is this Miss Mcqueen arrived al
ready?" she asked in loud tone. Dear,
dear! We hardly expected you so soon.
How are you, my dear, Tired after your
journey, l expect, and glad to get home. I"
lanthe gazed dumbly at this apparition.
Who was this strangely attired being
who seemed to expect her, but of whose
existence and identity she was totally
unawaref
rs Mr.. Maequeen at homer" asked
Miss Dawson, almost as bewildered as
her pupil.
He's in the studio" answered the
woman, "but come away in" and. pro-
ducing key from her pocket, she
opened the house door and led the way
into dark passage. Miss Dawson and
lanthe followed in silence, and found
themselves at last in a comfortably fur
mshed room where a fire was burning
and table was set out for a meal.
The unknown woman lit the gas, drew
down the blind, and finally turned to
Ianthe.
well, Pm glad to see you" she said.
1T was really my idea to have YOU
here. You'll be company for me and a
help to your father as soon as you learn
the business"
Are you sure / have come to the right
placer" asked Ianthe, rising from her
seat. II never heard of the-business
And who are your"
"Mef I'm your fathers wife," an
swered the other with laugh. 1--WE
thought it was as well not to tell you,
in case it might have kept you away.
Step mothers get bad name" she con.
tinued, turning to Miss Dawson, "but /
think Anthy won't find me bad one"
She laughed good,naturedly.
Il used to be the young lady in the
saloon" she explained. II stin keep on
the duties there, but / can't do that for
ever. 1t doesn't take that long to learn
them. By the time want to give up
Anthy should be ready to take my place,
if she's willing to learn, and / should
think any young girl was willing to help
her father"
Eyes" said Ianthe family Her brain
Nua Va
an, with her good natured vulgarity,
seemed to her the most terrible person
she had ever seen. Her very friendli-
ness was appalling to Ianthes proud
spirit. Both times that she had said
"Anthy' the girl had given a visible
jump.
Now I'll go in and tell your father
you're here" said Mrs Mcqueen.
Ianthe sat pale and silent till her
father came in. He greeted her with an
attempt at lightness and gaiety but the
effort resulted only in awkwardness.
lanthe had expected an affectionate well
come, fatherly kiss. Mr. Macqueen
was not equal to the situation. It would
have required some tact to know how
to greet this pale-faced, wide-eyed girl.
and he had none. The girl seemed
stricken to stone Scarcely a word did
she say during the nondescript meal that
followed. When that was finished Miss
Dawson had to go. They had not even
a moment for a private leave taking.
Miss Dawson's tears fell heavily when
she found herself in the shelter of her
cab. Not in her widest dreams had she
pictured such surroundings for Ianthe
as these.
Mrs. Mcqueen is vulgar and loud"
she meditated, "but at least she seems
kind and well-meaning. But the father
has nothing to recommend him; he does
not even look you straight in the face"
Then there was the business! How
could girl nurtured as Ianthe had been
live in this cramped dwelling and spend
her days assisting in the business! It
was obvious that she must be removed
at once from the surroundings for which
she was so eminently untitled.
She resolved to write that very night
to the general and tell him how matters
stood. He, also, had surely never real
lied to what life he was sending the
girl? If she had even been brought up
like ordinary girls it would not have
peeH 50 oau' DuL IahItie! one wondered
what the child would do during the days
that must intervene between now and
her deliverance.
"a week at most" she calculated, "and
then, doubt not, we shall both be back
in the Highlands again But poor
Ianthel How will she get through the
week2"
TO BE CONTINUED.
IN EXTREME HOT wEATuEp