Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-04-15

ment.
This was bought for my niece" said
the older lady. "She is married and lives
abroad
The girl seated herself at the instru
ment and ran her fingers along the KEYS
with smile Of approval. Then She
sang sweet old ballad. Her voive was
q pure soprano, light but sympathetic
and she used it with much skill.
More. please" said the older lady.
and the girl sang again and again and
then her audience was increased by the
stout figure of the maid who stood in
the doorway wondering, and who sud-
denly put her apron to her eyes and ran
away as the last sweet strains of robin
Adair" filed the room.
Then there was little silence.
You may stay here if you think YOU
viii like it," said the Older woman
Thank you, thank you" cried the
girl. I'm sure | like it, But wait.
please II must know the price Laura
said in that letter that ! forgot some
thing about the price being Sc week
without any extras. There has been no
change in your rates, / hope p
There has been no change the elder
woman replied. and she smiled as she
said it. And now, if that is satisfac-
tory, | will show you your room"
So Faith Temple began her soiourn at
Maple farm, and delightful soiourn it
was. The restraint and narrowness of
about like wild child. She climbed
trees and picked berries and hunted eggs.
And when she quoted down she sat on
the great porch and read aloud to the
hostess or sang to her, and talked in her
viyacious way about her experience in
the great city.
And the two women were helpful to
each other. The girl banished the lone
illness of the older woman's life, and the
gentle sweetness of the older woman's
character softened and ennobled the
character of the girl.
But where are your other boarders 2"
the girl inquired one day.
Il didn't advertise this year" respond
ed the other lady with her quick smile.
That's a very unfortunate thing for
the boarders who don't come" said the
girl, but it's wonderfully lucky for me
I'm Just mean enough to be glad they
don't know what they are missing. Yet
it doesn't seem right that | should eniov
all these delights alone"
The older woman shook her head.
You can't beguile me into charging
any less than Sc week" she laughing
ly said.
The girl looked at the older woman
and her face suddenly sohared. and she
put her arms about her neck.
You are so kind and good" she muir
M
ure in her eyes. May cali YOU mother
now and then? You know | never knew
my own mother"
The older woman gently kissed the mp
turned face.
You may call me mother if you like"
she said
You don't think the boy viii object ?"
The girl knew there was u son some
where, "the boy" of his mothers
thoughts and love. She fancied he was
qlite young, but she forborc to ask any
questions concerning him.
The boy is far away" said the
mother, "but he may be home soon. ]
had a letter from him yesterday"
And he's coming home!" cried the
girl. I'm so glad for your sake. dear
mother. Oh perhaps I have his room?
VIII his coming make any difference to
meg
NO" said bhe boys mother. "Elmer's
room is IN the east wing. And I'm afraid
ne will not stay long He hoped to be
here most of the summer. but his plans
are all changed"
Nothing more was said, about the bov
and Faiths fears of being ousted from
her temporary home were set at rest.
She had acquired the habit of retiring
early and one evening she was ouite
sure she heard wheels and voices after
she had fallen into doze. A door
slammed somewhere, but she heard moth
ing more.
The next morning she was up bright
and carly and out on the lawn. gathering
the usual bunch of flowers for the break
fast table.
Then she saw that stranger was
there before her A stranger who was
swinging n scythe as he crossed the lawn
with measured steps. He was tall.
bareheaded stranger. Il man OF perhaps
thirty, with clear-cut features and fine
gray eyes.
The fine gray eyes turned toward her
rs she approached and the scvthe rested.
This must be the hired man. who was
expected from the Ridge settlement.
Good morning" Faith said in her
fearless way. you haven't given the
dew time to retire"
Good morning" said the man. He
seemed dazed by the appearance Of the
little end graceful maid Il am getting
a start of the sun" he added.
But he did not resume his moving.
You are the man from beyond the
Ridge" said Faith.
Yes he answered. Il am from he
lond the Ridge" lie seemed little
slow and dflident
You mustn't let me interfere with
your requirement of an appetite for
breakfast" said Faith
Tive had my breakfast" said the man.
so earlyy' cried Faith. wen. |
haven't had mine. And I must hurry
with the no'sers for mother, table"
Mothers table ?" repeated the man.
YES. ! call Mrs Randall mother
think she likes it"
Il like it. too" said the man. and