Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-05-27
Will You Be NV Valentine !?
CHAPTER u.-Continued.
BY SOPHIE EMMETT,

nvon must not think that-indeed,
mist notl do love you-fervent-
l. intensely, and if you won't be my
vile. l shall just go out and shoot my
self"
.rNot you!" Ray said, laughingly,
+nrning a pair of radiant eyes upon
bim. Syou would soon console yourself
with Miss Lonsdale."
Ralph's face grew instantly grave, and
he laid an entreating hand on hers.
Don't, Ray; you hurt me when you
sneak like that. / confess Miss Ions
dale's dark eyes did bewitch me for
Anne. but l never cared for her as / do
for you. 1t was passing madness, and
I thank heaven l can say so now with
out untruth. Will you have me, dear
est"
Ray hesitated, but relented so far as
4o place her hand in his. He needed no
Greater encouragement; in another in
Slant he had drawn her close to him,
and imprinted kiss upon her lips.
A slight noise in the corridor above
made them start.
Like a frightened fawn Ray sped
downstairs, entering the dining room
with her cheeks still rosy red, and her
eyes alight with love.
Ralph followed her closely-so close
" that more than one person smiled
when they saw their contented faces.
Tt was Valerie who had startled them.
The girl had left her room to get a
book from the library, but as she crossed
the corridor the sound of soft whisper
inps had been carried to her ears.
CHANGING over, she saw the lovers
Raw with her fair blushing face laid
against Ralph's breast. The sight
pleased her, though it sent thrill of
agony to her own desolate heart.
They are happy -untroubled," she
thought. "Their lives will never be as
mine. ! alone have been bereft of all
I held dear. Why was Fate so cruel,
and pride so strong? / could have for
given all but that last injustice!"
She turned to go back. Before she
reached her own room gentle hand was
placed on her shoulder.
Let me stay with you while" said
a low, sweet voice. 81 have nothing to
do. My sister is happy with her lover,
and will not miss me. You are so lone
". it makes my heart ache to see you"
DO not mind me-" Valerie returned;
"T am always thus-discontented and
wretched. All, Miss Gwynn, you have
never known what it is to suffer at the
hands of those you have loved, and
know that henceforth nothing was left
to you but the cold friendship of
strangers. I seem to you ungrateful.
for Mrs. Gwynn has been most kind to
me, but 1 cannot forget the past. I
would to God I could"
Cassie knelt beside the trembling girl;
she had drawn her into the schoolroom
and forced her on to chair near the
FIRE.
"Hushl Don't cry" she said. "If my
love can cheer you, it is yours. I have
always felt drawn to you by strange
sympathy, whose cause you will never
learn. only wish I knew how to com
fort you"
Valerie stilled her sobs.
n thank you from my heart for your
offer, Miss Gwynn," she returned; "you
are the first to feel pity for one so
much less fortunate than others. If
you only knew ALL your sympathy
would be even greater"
Il can guess one thing; you have not
always been like this--a governessP
Sorrow or loss has compelled you to
work-you were not born to it ?"
mo. Pride alone drove me to this
step, and I would do the same thing
again, even though it. broke my hearth"
what is your secret, Valerie? Can
you not trust me?"
No; not even to you can reveal the
cause of my trouble! One day the
cloud may be lifted; but it is very
doubtful 1 come of proud race, and
an injury is never forgiven by u.s."
There was such resentment in her
tones that Cassie was almost startled.
The two We're silent for some mo-
ments, then Valerie spoke again.
You will not betray to your brother
what l have said He would tell his
wife, and / do not want her to know I
am other than I seem. The children
love me, and I am as happy as l can be
under the circumstances"
Your confidence is sacred with me. I
shall not breathe a word to anyone of
what has passed between us" Cassie
promised.
A sincere friendship had sprung up in
her heart for this desolate girl. and
t,'SAt5 nv iOHS dlGSIs size WAS iOTCeu
10 return to her own home, she never
ceased to think of Valerie, and some
times cheer her by letter.
The summer passed, and in the begin
ning OF autumn Ray was married to her
lover.
The parting between the sisters was
not without regret; but Cassie stifed
her grief, knowing it was for Rays hap
nness that the old life had been broken
up
Mrs. Woodbury. took her abroad for
few months, and the girl soon recovered
from her gloom, and entered with all
her old zest into the delight of travel
ing.
CHAPTER III.
HIS LIFE HAS BEEN RUINED BY
WEAK GIRLS FOLLY"
a year soon passes; it was with sur
Prlse that Cassie awakened to the fact
mat st. Valentines day had again come