Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-09-10
CHAPTER /.

red lamp itself seemed TO De rather
concession to weak humanity than an
appeal for patients. The fact that the
neighborhood was decidedly gone
down. one in no way detracted from the
refined solidity of this one residence.
DIR. Surtees was a good, capable, SEN
sible. old-fashioned--but not too old
fssbioned-doctor and he did not pre-
tend to be anything else.
He had been born lucky, and every
thing went well with him. The success
which attended him in professional life
followed him into family affairs. His
wife seemed to have no shining qualities,
vet her "at homes" and dinners always
went well.
Had the doctor, then, no thorn in his
couch of roses? Yes, there was a thorn.
Late in the afternoon of a cold, dreary
dav in March the doctor was sitting in
his big, comfortable, consulting room, the
curtains drawn, splendid fire roaring
up the chimney. Opposite, in another
easy chair, sat the Thorn, with his feet
on the high brass fender.
The Thorn was young man, with a
slender figure and boyish face A
stranger, entering the room, would at
once have taken him for the doctors son,
but he was in reality Philip Surtees'
brother, seventeen years his junior.
The doctor was handsome man of
five and forty, who would never have
been mistaken for anything but doctor
His figure was tall and stately, but his
eyes had usually a slightly humorous
twinkle Just now, however, it must be
confessed their expression was hardly
agreeable.
, 1--WE really nothing to say" he re-
marked There is nothing to say. If
you cared about it l should be very sor-
ry-very sorry indeed. But you don't
care. You know quite well it's entirely
your own fault. You must have ex-
pected it, for you took no steps to pre-
vent it."
ITO prevent ?" the young man muir
INJURED, looking at him in evident sur
prise. II don't know what you've been
told, or who has told you. But l don't
understand. If I'd wished to prevent
it I could have done so. But must take
exception to you implying that l could
have wish to prevent IT."
The doctor sat up in his chair sud
denly and violently
NO wish to prevent it," the doctor
exclaimed This is-it-it's really ex-
traordinary, Claude. Pm astonished to
hear you say such a thing. 1t has hap
pened so often"
A light of comprehension dawned in
the young mans eyes.
"Oh," he said. 81 don't think we're
talking about the same thing, Phil"
WHAT Pm talking about your ex-
am of course"
ooh, about me getting through?
was speaking of my engagement"
The doctor fairly leaped out of his
chair this time
"YoE engagement" In a fash DR..
Smtees remembered many dismal proph-
estes which his wife had made on this
subject of Claude's engagement.
who is she 2" he gasped out.
TITS Nine. Stephanof," Claude said
with laugh
II must beg you to be serious, Claude"
the doctor said stiffiy.
But | am serious, Pippo."
She's old enough to be your mother"
the doctor calculated. IT can hardly be-
heve you have been insane enough to
propose to her. Am I to understand
that you actuaIly-care for her, Caude?"
The last words were spoken in an ap-
pealing tone
Certainly love her!"
TITS a terrible mistake for man to
marry woman who is so much his
senior. You've no right to think of mar.
rage at all for years to come. You've
your way to make-and I see very little
prospect of your making it. You have
no ambitions and no energy-I mean
that you have no practical ambitions.
However, the question just now is of
your entangle-"
MY engagement, if you please!"
There was CLINT in the young mans
eyes, and his voice-though now, as ever,
quiet-took tone which Dr.. Surtees &C.
eepted as warning.
To be sure-your engagement! This
lady ls-ah--um-I think that Retta and
l have met her only oncef'
"Retta has only seen her once. You've
seen her twice, Phil-once at the Mont
gomeries and last September at the
Catesbys."
"Oh, yesl" the doctor said. "At the
Catesbys, to be sure When we were
up in Perth for the shooting-I remem-
Der her among the guests"
No, you don't, old fellow, she was
engaged by them as housekeeper while
their own was ill.,
Good gracious! And is she house
Keeper nowS She was surely friend
OF the Mcntgomeries-she wasn't there
IN mental capacity, was she?''
Phil" the young man said, "the
trouble with very respectable people like
You and Retta is that you're always
playing at blindman's buff with life, in
the midst of things you might as well
see You must remember that Stephan
off came to the Montgomeries to give
The little girls dancing lessons. They are
her friends just the same. I'll tell you,
all about her, and that will simplify
matters"
Go oni" the doctor said resignedly.
know she IS a Russian refugee"
Nonsensel Excuse me, Phil, but it
was Retta said that. Mime Stephanoff
ISN'T Russian refugee. She's Irish by
6irth, and her husband was q wealthy