Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-10-15
CHAPTER X.

Three days later Nine. Stephanoff
reached Dalmassie She found the blinds
drawn, and the whole house in mourn
ing
Mime Stephanoff was shown into the
darkened drawing room, where she was
presently joined by Irma In the in
terval of waiting Nine. Stephanoff had
picked up q paper from the table, and
read there an account of the accident
"Gartmore!" she said to herself, with
paling cheeks "Gartmore! How
strange!" Then she raised her eyes, and
encountered those of Irma, who had en-
tered the room.
Mime. Stephanof? Lord and Lady
Delisle cannot see you. am sorry, but.
you understand, Lord Deiisle is in great
trouble. You would like to rest a little
before you see DR.. Surtees? Yes he is
progressing. l will show you to your
room and have some tea sent to YOU"
Nine. Stephanoif followed her in
silence. She was sensitive as a girl, and
there was something almost repellant in
Irma's naughty determination to be
calm.
81 ought to have introduced myself to
you" Irma said when they reached the
bedroom @Lord Delisle is my guardian /:
my sister and / have lived with him the
greater part of our lives. / am Miss
Vassie''
Nine. Stephanoff sat down in the near
est chair. She felt the color ebb from
her face till her cheeks were cold.
Il am tired with the journey-the ex-
element she murmured, leaning back
against Irma's strong arm, which had
been suddenly flung round her The girls
manner had at once completely changed.
This woman loved Claude Surtees--she
had been perhaps tortured by anxiety
about him.
81 will bring you the tea myself
II" the girl said "And if you could
rest a little before you see him. No?
quite understand"
She hurried away and soon returned
with the tea After Nine. Stephanoff
had drunk it Irma helped her to rear
range her toilette.
"You are very beautiful Irma said
gravely, as if she were in court of JUS
tice and were being compelled reluctant
" to admit the truth. Il suppose | was
staring at you"
The blush in Rose Stephanoff's face
deepened, and her eyes shone with pleas
ure
"She is thinking of him." Irma said to
herself, a great wave of bitterness
sweeping over her heart; and, without
further speech, she led the visitor TO
Claude's room In the corridor they met
Isorrin. who had been hastily summoned
to Delmassie by the news of the Wis
counts death He stood aside, bowling
and as Irma paused to say something
he mmmured to her that Kathleen had
asked him TO say the dressmaker was
there.
"She has come with our mourning"
Irna explained to Nine Stephanoff as
they passed on "Gartmore was lust
like our brother" Her proud lips trem-
bled. 81 will leave you with DR. Sur
tees" she continued He is alone,
think" Lorrin had evidently Just come
from his room.
She knocked. and. in reply to Caude's
'Come int" Nine. Stephanof entered the
room Irma's pride even had not the
power to prevent her from lingering a
moment in the corridor. She saw the
interior of the room Claude on a
couch, his face bright with joyous greet
ing his hands extended, saw Mime.
Stephanoff bend fondly over the couch,
and the silvered head and the dark one
close together.
The interview with the dressmaker
was soon over, though to Irma it seemed
well-nigh interminable. She wondered,
with a touch of something like con
tempt. at Kathleen's interest in the hang
of skirt, the precise amount Of fullness
required by the up-to-date sleeve, the
becomingness of square yoke Then
she thought of Dorrin and understood
and the slight feeling of contempt and
wonder was changed into sympathy and
and envy. Kathleen had some one for
whom she wanted TO look pretty, in
spite of her illness and the family
trouble.
Irna left her sister still discussing
black blouse with the dressmaker, and
went up to her own room. She passed
bv the door OF the room where Cart
more's body was lying-his funeral was
to be tomorrow-and by the door Of
Lord Delisle's room. The earl had re-
,;ra3 there for three DAYS refusing 10