The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-05-17

the house among the trees.
Once within the old gardens his an
ger against Iris returned. Why should
any girl want more than this beautiful
home that he had bought for her?
They had gone over every stick and
stone of it in fond anticipation of it,
A sense of outraged love kept him
from doing the thing he knew to be
right, and Iris departed for New York
In an attempt to forget his shat
tered romance Blair went about with
all of the girls in the village. And
most of all he found his way into the
cozy home Of the Lanes, where he
ard Iris had spent many happy eve
nings.
I'm sorry, old man." Lane had said
to him when he learned Of the broken
engagement. Iris Is a mighty fine
little girl" and Blair turned away I'M
accountably irritated.
You should have humored her."
Mrs. Lane put in. Iris, being above
the average type, needs delicate han
ding. | hope she Will not marry
some New Yorker and leave US" she
had added by way of helping the
cause Of Iris. The little matron knew
that Iris would never marry any one
save Evan Blair, but that he should
be taught to appreciate the girl was
also part Of Mrs. Lanes scheme.
So it was, from time to time, Blair
heard of the splendid times Iris was
having in the city. Knowing 1t to
have been the cause of the trouble,
speaking of the progress Iris was
making in her dramatic work.
After six months of study Iris had
been given an afternoon at one OF the
larger hotels and the newspapers had
given her great praise.
Blair would have given much for a
glimpse OF those letters which his
hostess read excerpts from, but he
only sat back with gloomy eyes.
Il got peach Of record today,
Blair" Lane suggested in an effort to
Eft the shadows from his friends
eyes.
Lets have it," said Blair, and they
repaired to the room where the talk
ing machine gave forth its fund Of en-
tertainment. Blair sank into the
chair that had become his.
Mrs Lane ensconced herself and
turned to Blair. You are to listen
to both Of these records before you
judge them. They are both by the
same person and Harry and think
them splendid"
The machine burst forth into mon
ologue. The voice was the high fall
setto Of Broadway dandy whose ex-
periences along the great White Way
were told in an inimitable, drawing
manner that brought the first hearty
laugh to Blair that he had had in
months.
THAT fellows all right" he laughed.
lets have the other!"
Remember" reminded Mrs. Lane,
this is the same fellow"
Blair sat back and prepared him
self for another funny record. When
Lane drew away from the machine
Blair leaned forward in his chair,
gripping the arms. The voice that
came from the cabinet was that OF
Iris.
Dear" it said, Il have found that
there are. other things in life besides
the study of dramatic art. | have
taken all the prizes here and have re-
ceived offers for stage work, but"
there was an effective pause-"you
are not here and nothing else counts.
When I said that life with you would
be mOnotonous-I had not tried to
live without you-so If you still
care" the voice from the cabinet
trembled, 81 will be in the summer
house tonight, and"
Blair jumped up to adjust the rec
ord, thinking something nad happened,
but that was all of It, He looked about
and realized that his host and hostess
had left him to hear the message from
Iris He took off the precious record
and went into the hall for his hat and
walking stick in a daZe Of happiness.
When he left the house, still in that
semi-conscious state OF mind, Mrs.
Lane ran to the telephone.
He has left the house, DEAR" she
called out to the person at the other
end of the line, "and l think perhaps
you had better fly or he will be In
the summer house first. Run in to.
morrow and tell me all about it, dear.
Good-by."
Lane turned to his wife, a puzzled
look on his face. Everything worked
beautifully, but has Blair lost his
mind? He was talking away about
some platform in drawing room,
or"
A merry laugh tinkled from Mrs.
Lanes lips. 1t only means that he
is planning a stage in the house he
has bought for Iris so that she can
have all the amateur theatr1cals she
wants"
Happy lris!" said Lane.