Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-06-21
dington station and tool her ticket f.


the dome of the Bodleian came into
view did she rouse herself from her
abstraction: and then there was only
time to cast an eager searching glance
at the beautiful old city before the
train stopped and she had to get out
upon the platform. A porter called a
hanson for her. and. to his intense as
constituent, received half "a crown fer
MS trouble. Mrs Fenton laughed at
his open mouth and round eyes; it was
so delicious to feel that half crown
was of no more consequence to her
than penny.
This trifiing incident had the effect
of raising her spirits, and she sighed
no longer while she was being driven
through the streets and past buildings
of which the foundations had not
been laid in the days when Miss Mus
grave had eloped with her music mas
ter. Twelve years work many trans
formations even in Oxford; but for
much longer period than that there
has been no perceptible alteration in
the aspect of the venerable college Of
All Saints. where Mrs. Fenton was
presently set down. While she was
gazing at the grass and the trees and
were, and how unlike anything in Aus
tralia, tall. STOPPING old man entered,
toward whom she advanced, holding
out both her hands.
Don't you know me?" she cried
We'll, welll' said DR.. Drysdale.
taking her hands; and so this is my
poor little Laura Musgrave No, my
dear, no, indeed; l don't think should
have known you. You are much chang
ed-mucF changed"
You are not" she returned; you
aren't changed a bit You don't look
year older"
oh, l am older" said the Master Of
All Saints, smiling; but then 1 was an
old man already when you went away,
whereas you were little girl Now
you are"
"A woman who is a long way past
her prime"
II wasn't going to say that; I was
going to say very beautiful and fash
ionable-looking lady"
He had led her to the light and was
still h ding Ler hands. while he look
ed down kindly at her upturned face;
| but now she drew away from him, with
an impatient jerk of her shoulders and
a grimace.
Il hate to be spoken to in that way"
she exclaimed. II have learned to dress
myself properly; but of course am
not beautiful. And l am 3d."
The old man broke into low laugh.
"Ah, Laura, Laura!" said he, you are
not so much changed as l thought you
were, after all. You never liked fiat
terry or believed that anybody who paid
you compliments could be sincere. You
used to shrug your shoulders and
stamp at me just like that when I told
you that you would some day have u
voice which would astonish the world"
WELL" she returned, Il was right
and you were wrong. My voice has
been developed as far as it will go, and
the world hasn't been in the least as
-tonished. Still. such as it is, it has
kept me alive. Ever since my husband
died / have supported myself by giving
lessons and sometimes singing at con-
certs. But for that, l daresay / should
have starved"
| DIR. Drysdale looked sorry and a lit
tie ashamed. why did you never
write to your father. my dear?" he
asked, presently.
You know 1t would have been use
less. He never forgave any one"
Il don't think we can be quite sure
of that At all events, he has given
convincing proof that he forgave you"
Mrs. Fenton shook her head. Il
thought so at first, but Mr.. Breffit I'M
deceived me. He named me as his
heiress because there was nobody else
to name except my cousin. and he hap
pened TO be Gispleased with nay cousin
at the time. When l heard about this
cousin and how badly he had been
treated. felt as if 1 ought to give up
all the money to him and disappear
again"
"Oh, dear mel" exclaimed DR.. Drys-
dale, that would be very strong
measure to take. You didn't say so. I
hope"
Il believe 1 did say so. but that isn't
the same thing as doing it. Tell me
about this cousin of mine. Is he dread
fully Disappointed
DR.. Drysdale smiled. ITO the best OF
my belief Fred has expressed no dis
appointment" he answered; Il am not
prepared to say that he hasn't felt
any"
Then you think that shall not
really be doing him an injury by TAX
ing the money from him?" she asked.
| eagerly.
I'm the first place. ny dear. you are
not taking it from him. because it is
not his and cannot be made his. He
has an ii.corae upon which he can very
well live, and 1t rests with him to in
crease it by his own exertions. He
really is not very much 10 be pitied.
Mrs. Fenton said no more upon the
subject. BY DR.. Drysdale's request she
lunched with him. and they had long
and pleasant chat over bygone days.
Il hardly know whether there are
any old friends of yours here whom yeu
would care to see" the Master said.
when they had strolled out into the
garden. Death has been busy among
us. My poor wife was taken from me.
as dare say you know. nine years ago.
and many others have gone since. Still
there are a few remaining" And he
mentioned the names OF some of them.
Yes" said Mrs. Fenton. Il reeollect
them all. but they wouldn't recoIlect
me. l was only gawky SCHOOLGIRL in
those days. and ladies never came to
our house. you know"
You were the only friend l had IN
| oxford" Mrs. Fenton went on. DO YOU
remember how l used to come and sing
/ to YOU sometimes. and how fond you
were OF II Segreto per esser felice'? l
sing IL still. only not in the old way"
They were opposite the open win
dows of the disused drawing room. She
stepped in abruptly. threw open the
piano, seated herself before it and. in
a stngularly sweet mezzo-s soprano voice.
gave brilliant rendering OF the oper-
attic air which she had mentioned. while
DR.. Drysdale, who had followed her.
kept time with head and hands
NO indeed" said he. when she had
finished. that Is not the old way. You
have r.arvelousiy improved. my dear
and yet
And yet you like the old way best
Well. then, here II IS for you"
/ And now she repeated her perform
ance in 3 very different style. altering