Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1913-02-21

:
calculating; he was honorabiy dis
posed toward matrimony, but he was
not reborn with love. And so. in the
sober bedroom of the club. he quickly
fell into the good sleep induced by ia.
tigue and healthy nerves.
Morning brought counsel and dis
position to renew operations. A note
was dispatched to his Diana by pri-
yate messenger, and the boy was bid
den to wait for an answer It came
presently:
Come at twelve, il you wish.
'MELANIE REYNIER"
Aleck smiled with satisfaction. Here
was wise venture going through hap
PLY, he hoped. He was pleased that
she had named the very hour he had
asked for the night before. That was
Ike her good, frank way OF meeting a
situation, and 1t sugured we'll for the
unknown emergencies OF their future
life. He had little patience with tt
Nudity and traditional coyness in wom-
en-, and great admiration for an open
and fearless spirit. Melanies note
almost set his heart humping.
But not quite; and no one under
stood the cool nature OF that organ
better than Melanie herself. The la
dies in the apartment at the Arch
angel had fingered at their breakfast.
the austerlty of which had been miti-
gated by center decoration of or
chids and fern, fresh-touched with
dew; or so Madame Reynier had de-
scribed them to Melanie. as she
brought them to her with the card of
Mr.. Lloyd-Jones. Mies Reynler smiled
family admired the blossoms and turn
ed away
The ladies'. usually spoke French
with each other. though occasionally
Madame Reynier dropped into the
harsher speech of her native country
On this morning she did this. telling
Melanie, for the tenth time in as many
days, that in her opinion they ought
to be going home Madame consld
cred this her duty. and felt no real
responsibility after the statement was
made. Nevertheless. she was glad to
find Melanie disposed to discuss the
matter little further.
Do you wish TO go home. Auntie. or
Is II hat you think ought to go?o
Il don't wish to so without Won
child you know that: and / am very
comfortable here. But his Highness
your cousin, is very inpatient: see
that in every letter from Krolyetz
You offended him deeply by putting
OF your marriage to Count Lorenzo
ard every day now deepens his indig-
nation against you. / don't like to dis.
cugs these things. Melanie, but I sus.
pect that your action depriyes him of
a very necessary revenue: and I'M
derstand, better than you do. to what
lengths your cousin is capable of go
ing when he is displeased. You are
by tie law Of yonr country. his ward
until you marry. Would ii not be bet
ter &c submit to him In friendship.
rather than to incur his eumityP Aft
er all, he is your next Of kin. the head
Of you family. and very powerful
man. II we are going home at ali. we
ought "a go now
"But suppose we should decide not
to go home at ALP"
You viii have TO go some time. dear
child. Vau are all a.one. EXCEPT for
me. and IN the nature Of things you
can't have me always. Now that YOU
are young, you think It an easy thing
to break away from the ties OF blood
and birtb but believe me. Ii isn't
easy You with your nature. could
never do il The call OF the land Is
strong. and the time viii Gene when
you win long to go home long to go
hack to the land where your father
led his soldiers. and where your moth.
er was admired and loved"
Madame Reynier paused and watch
ed her niece, who. with eyes cast
down. was toying with with her spoon.
Suddenly crimson flush rose ana
spread over Melanie's cheeks and fore.
head and neck, and when she looked
np into Madame Reyniers face. she
was gazing through unshed tears
she rose quickly. came round to the
older womans chair and kissed her
cheek affectionately.
Dear Auntie, you are very good to
me, and patient, too. It's all true. l
suppose; but the prospect Of home
and Count Lorenzo together ali.
WELT" she smiled reassuringly and
again caressed Madame Reynier's
gaunt old face. "I'll think Il all over,
Auntie dear
Madame Reynier followed Melanie
into her sitting-room. bringing the
precious orchids In her two hands,
fearful lest the fragile vase should
fall Melanie regarded them mo-
ment. and then said she thought they
would do better in the drawing-room
Il sometimes think the little garden
pink quite as pretty as an orchid."