Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-12-31
CHAPTER v.-Continued.

about myself or my home at Brook
.+rest. Pm just the governess, no more,
,rd they never ever heard Of Gerry or
pbi If only 1 can be left here in peace
All every one is gone, shall be safe,
ord she'll never find out; but I'll never
forgive him for the cheat-never-
never"
little Anne was alone now. Phil and
Garry had been carried off to the house
Nv crowd of girls and young men, eager
81 make much of the little performers;
aha herself had resolutely refused num-
Ssrless kind offers of refreshments, and
had remained steadfastly behind the
piano.
haste across the turf to where she sat.
SThat COMPOUNDED old woman! Was
aver ANYTHING so unlucky?" he began,
Init the cold and resentful expression on
Gttle Anne's face made him draw back
involuntarily.
"Why. you surely don't think-you
can't suppose, | knew the Chilcotes were
coming this afternoon, and never told
youS" he exclaimed in tone of angry
reproach.
h don't know. 1t seems curious; peo-
ple generally are aware who their guests
are when they have invited them" re-
sponded Miss Oliver in lofty and dis
tant manner.
NV dear ehild!" Gresham could not
repress laugh, despite his annoyance.
81 only wish people were as scrupulous
IS you imagine. Nobody thinks any
thing in these free and easy days of
bringing any guests they may have
staying in their own houses to be enter
tanned at somebody else's expense. Why,
Anne, I thought you knew me betterl"
Rogers voice grew dangerously soft and
tender, and his honest blue eyes looked
down very, very kindly on the fair, bent
head so near his arm. "As far as l
knew, till an hour ago, when she and her
daughter turned up here, Lady Chilcote
was in Scotland. I met them both at
Cowes, and they certainly told me they
were going north at once. It's Just a
stroke of ill-luck that made them
change their plans, but you're safe
enough, you know. Her ladyship Is as
blind as bat, and it's quite easy to
keep out of Agatha Chilcote's way. I've
sent 'em all off now to the ponds to feed
the carp. Look, there they go!"-he
pointed to a group of women moving
across the terrace away from them.
"Therel" said Roger, encouragingly,
ignoring little Anne's silence Now you
see they're all well out of the way.
Well run up to the house directly and
get you some refreshments-I'm SO mis-
cradle to think you've had nothing yet
and then you can rush back here in time
for the second part of the concert Do
come" he continued simply, cor l shall
think you're angry with me still and
really it's not my fault" He looked so
manly and honest and miserable as he
spoke that little Anne relented in spite
Of herself.
Attire all, she reflected, while h1urying
towards the house beside her host, she
had known from the first the risk she
ran Of being discovered in her role of
street musician, and losing her character
with woman SO conventional as Lady
Chiicote In consequence She had con-
sented to such rash venture in very
despair of being able to give in any
other way her little brother and sister
the change of air they 80 greatly needed,
and so far the experiment had been much
more successful than she had ever dared
10 hope; but if the affair ended in dis
aster after all there was no one but her
SELF to blame for it. Perhaps Anne's
spirits rose inyoluntarily as Sir Roger
hurried her into the dining room, quite
empty now except for the waiting men
ana servants, and pressed peaches and
cream and champagne cup and other re-
heshments on her with bewildering
npidity.
No, thanks, nothing more-I would so
much rather not May I go back to the
piano now? It makes me so nervous to
stay here, and the time for the interval
quite over" she pleaded anxiously in
reply to Gresham's entreaties.
II only we could get through our
second part, and I could feel that her
ladyship and Miss Chilcote were really
gone without recognizing me, / believe
a should be happier and more thankful
, Saah ever | was in nay life" continued
Heie Anne, laughing gaily as she stepped
enough the long window on to the ter
iaee' followed by her host The White
nafns gardens were looking gorgeous in
we late autumn sunshine the pierced
homework of the terrace stood great
tSashets OF creeping geraniums. their
toIooias-plnk, crimson and mauve-hang-
.ng IN testoons to ground. Below the
terrace lay the lawn-a wide expanse of
emerald turf on which the shadows of
S sne tail trees lengthened slowly with the
declining sun
now beautiful and how peaeefulf'
ASHAMED ca little Anne underbreath.
=, Yes Isn't it jollyH do love the
s sii place." responded Roger, pausing be-
sue her. After a moments silence. he
III drive you and the kids back
- oandbeach tonight instead of your
ENG s;ag oy train. It's only matter of
s"S miles or so, and I can put up for
Sa ~ Aour when we get there and drive
U5eA again. Well have some dinner
s ~aeh al these people are gone, and we'll
st go directly afterwards. Wait one in
1 pianS while I give the order for the
49,, ne turned hastily towards the house,
"ng as ne did so loud scream. sharp
and shriIl. rang through the silent air.
l. v came from the gardens, beyond the
Ts 4 4 and was followed by another, and