Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-02-05
CHAPTER TX.

No bird within cage ever beat itself
more fercely against the bars, ever
struggled more desperately to escape,
than did Lii Lauriston. But, as a bird
sinks, weary and defeated to the ground,
finding its efforts useless, so did she,
painting, breathless. defeated, give up the
battle, and resign herself to her evil fate
Nay, womanlike, she even smiled to hide
her discontinue
So they drove her daily in the park,
and Kennedy Galbraith sat beside her,
smiling also, as well he might, for he
had won rare prize in the matrimonial
market He had tanned his bird. She
was no longer mutinous. He was very
proud of this fact, and full of triumph.
He took delight in showing to all men
and women that she was his.
Graveeyed she looked upon the pass
ing crowd, patiently she met admiring
glances, caring nothing for any one of
them. A word from young Billy DARYL
would have brought the blush to her
cheek, but here che delicate color neither
rose nor fell. Lillian was Indifferent.
Not so Galbraithl His time had come,
and he gloried in it. She, who had been
rebellious at the Chase, laughing him to
scorn, was now as wax beneath his
touch, as easily moulded There, in the
rose walk, where she came to him, with
outstretehed hands, crying aloud, 1T was
all a mistake, Cousin Ken. | have found
it out now. Forgive me. Set me freei"
There, in the hush of the twilight, he
had conquered her proud spirit, bent it
to his will. And that so simply, by such
an easy device, one to which only child
would have surrender, he reminded him
self. just reminder-"You have
sworn" And, following on that, pas
sionate declaration of his absorbing love
for her. Indeed at that time a some
thing he mistook for love stirred within
him, and made him eloquent; but she,
newly enlightened, was not deceived.
at is no love that condemns me to
misery" she sobbed out.
He, between his clenched teeth Kissed
out his answer
Call it what you may, it holds you,
and shall hold you. You cannot escape.
You are bound closely by your VOW"
Il know" she said, raising her white
set face. 81 used to think that l was
right and Billy wrong. l wish it had
been true; he said that you did not love
me, but my money. Say that he was
right"
''He was wrong, absurdly wrong" he
asseverated; "but if anything so base
were true of me, what them"
why, then l would break my oath.
1t would hold good no longer; but
now"
But now!" He laughed again at her
simplicity. Now, there is no breaking
it, for 1 love you madly, devotedly, and
you are absolutely mine!"
She turned aside, loathing him. Ken
nedy Galbraith did not seek to kiss her.
AS the days passed he had no wish to do
so. Something had happened to change
the face of things.
I A woman who had once charmed him
had crossed his path again She was
more beautiful than ever. The toy that
he had flung aside was no longer toy
in his eyes, but rare jewel he had care
lessly relinquished. Her gaiety, her dar-
ing, her jests her laughter delighted
him. The old sorcery was hers. but it
was ten times more powerful. She was
woman of the world, with knowledge,
with wit. Besides her this little simple
flower sank into insignifcance, a daisy
compared with some rare and radiant
orchid.
A ball was imminent at the house in
Mayfair Lii was to be displayed to
admiring friends. She had been six
weeks in town, and now society was
again in London, and the SUMMER season
over.
Mrs. Galbraith raised the question of
the costume to be worn at this function
by the bride-elect one evening after din
ner Lii was lounging in an easy chair,
book in hand, her mind far from the
printed pages. Galbraith, equally pre-
occupied, faced her, languidly taking in
the grace of the light, girlish figure.
what will l wear?" Lii replied abb
sently, answering his mothers question.
"Oh, have not thought of that yet"
"But, my dear, the ball is in a few
days time, next Wednesday in fact"
II know that, but / have plenty of
frocks. l almost forget which is which.
Julie will choose"
mol" replied Mrs Galbraith firmly.
"It is too important a matter to be left
to your maid. My sons future wife
must be suitably and becomingly at
tired"