Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-07-01
CHAPTER ".

1T Is THE TRICK OF SOME MIsCREANT
WHO GRUDGES Us OUR BLISS"
Twelve months have elapsed since
that tragic scene took place in the hotel
at the Cape.
The London season was just dying,
and the last of the fashionable marriages
were being solemnized.
A big crowd was gathered around the
doors Of st. PauPs, Knightsbridge, evil
IDENTIFY expecting !, bridal party to come
forth.
a beautiful, dark woman, with black
Spanish lace cloak draped about her
shapely shoulders, stood close to the car
riage awaiting the bridal pair.
"Here they come" ran in buzzing
murnrur among the expectant throng, as
q vision Of maidenly loneliness, fair as
lily, was led forth by proud, radiant,
handsome man.
The quiet watcher stood regarding the
welded paid with eyes that glittered.
Just as the bride reached the carriage,
the woman pushed forward and thrust a
bunch of Grape roses into her hand.
"a bride should have flowers" she
said. Here is Nita Caldara's gift"
The girl held the mocldng emblem of
mourning for one moment, transfxed
with horror; then with low cry cast
them from her.
Lord Carfax caught his newly welded
wife round the waist, and lifted her
into the carriage, springing in after her.
REX, Rexl" sobbed the girl, as they
ratified along Knightsbridge, "the mein-
DRY of those Grape flowers will haunt me
to my dying day"
at was only some wretched practical
joke, my love, because you ordered no
bouquet, got up by one of the florists,
who felt you had neglected their inter-
ests"
She shook her head sadly, and fall
| tered
81 cannot believe that; the woman
who thrust them into my hand looked
like some beautiful demon"
MY pet! you are overweight, ex-
cited; and that dear little head coniures
up all kinds of fancies, which my love
and protection win have to charm away"
Meantime, what of Nita2
THE first act in the drama has
passed." she thought, exultantly, as she
watched the carriage drive away. II
saw her cheek blanch-it struck home.
Rex Oarfax, beware! the hour of your
punishment has come-Nemesis will dog
every step you take"
Then she made her way towards the
Oratory, and entered a brougham, evil
IDENTIFY awaiting her.
A grim specter seemed to sit at that
elegant wedding feast in Queens Gate,
between bride and bridegroom, the mock
ing, jibing phantom of an unredeemed
past, and those terrible words of menac-
ing threat kept ringing in his lordship's
ears
81 will pursue you to the ends of the
earth, and shatter your every hope of
happinessl''
He strove to pass through the ordeal
without showing the anxiety he was suf-
fering, lest some further outrage would
be perpetrated before the nuptial day
was closed.
Bride and bridegroom were standing
later on in a marquee of pale green silk,
out in the grounds, bidding farewell to
their friends, both ready dressed to de-
part for their travels. Lady Muriel Car
fax, looking sweet and fair as a pure
white rosebud, her cheeks now tinged
with faint pink.
Another present, actually" she ex-
claimed in her usual bright way; "and
still they come!"-as footman handed
a salver with small package on it.
at only just arrived, my lady, and I
thought had better give It to you,"
the man explained.
Thanks, Watkins" she returned. gra-
ciously.
"Real!2, my love you win hcY able
to stock a jewelers. shop" her father,
Sir George Talbot, said, smiling with
loving pride at his darling.
81 will not open it now, mamma" she
observed "for the carriage is waiting,
and Rex is getting impatient" putting
her arms around the fearful lady's neck
and kissing her again and again.
Five minutes later the newly married
pair drove away at spanking pace.
For some time the bonny blue eyes of
the bride were misty with tears.
"You haven't looked at your last
present, my pet" his lordship said pres
emily, to divert her thoughts. Come
open it; let me help you," producing
penknife and cutting the Irvine.
at must be very tiny affair, Rex"
she remarked unrolling sheet after sheet
of tissue paper ruefully.
"Whv. what is it," she gasped. com
ing at last to a wedding ring, tied to
piece of Grape, which held a small square
Of foreign paper, on which were the
words
Beware, destroyer! I told you your
ring should be returned. Your bride is
the proper person to receive it."
With a wild impulse Carfax snatched
the proof of his infamy out of her hands.
what did you do that for?" she asked
reproachfully. "Oh, Rex, give it to me;
l must see it"
Don't be foolish!" he returned, child
inglv 81 am the right party to deal
with this shameful practical joke"
"Wedding ring and crapei" she ex-
claimed. "Why should anyone be SO lost
to all feeling as to act thus cruelty on
nv bridal day. And the word-Be-
wsrey What does it meant Do let me
see what else is written"
at shall never leave my hand till I
Mace it in that of q detective, who viii
rrravel the AFFAIR."" Lord Carfax de-
clared. at is the trick Of some mis-
creant who grudges us our blissi"