Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-07-22
CHAPTER /.
just a Hint of Scandal.

GeOrgy WagStan Sauntered into Miss
Ethel Willoughby's sitting room. at
tired in the daintiest and fullest OF
summer costumes. Georgy was the
daughter of Sir George Wagstaff OF
the British admiralty. She found the
room deserted, except for her fathers
admirable butler, who was at the mo-
ment in the act Of placing a tea-tray
upon Miss Willoughby's table.
"Oh. Brewster-is Miss WilIoughby
ln?" she inquired.
The correct Brewster Immediately
Strengthened himself up in his best
manner.
NO. miss! I think not" he replied
GeOrgy strolled to the window.
81 dare say EthePll be here directly
she said-to herself as much as to the
butler. "Pll wait"
Eyes. miss" Brewster acquiesced
And with a bow of the utmost cor.
rectness he went out, closing the doors
Doftly behind him.
Georgy Wagstaff stood idly looking
ont of the window upon the view OF
the Thames. 1t was an August after
noon and the river shimmered allur-
lngly in the slanting sunlight. But
Ethel had asked her to meet a few
friends; and Georgy was fond enough
of Miss Willoughby not to be repent
ant for having foregone the delights
OF a perfect summer evening out of
doors. AS she stood there in the win
dow her governess entered.
ooh! Hello, Georgy. Am I late OF
are you early" Miss Willoughby called
as she saw that one of her guests was
already waiting.
Both" said Georgy with a smile
Il did want two minutes with you be
fore the others came. May I bother
you now|
"Of coursev' the older girl replied
But it's no bother" she assured her
She sat down on one end of a long
settee and began TO remove her gloves
whereupon her younger charge perched
herself at the other end of the seat
and regarded her admiringly. Miss
Willoughby's fair hair had just the
hint of red In 1t that was at the same
time Georgy's despair and delight
And Ethel was far enough past the
schoolgirl age to have lost that angu-
larity which Georgy still possessed
ana loathed. AS for c0loring, they
both showed the healthy glow which
is the distinguishing mark of young
Englshwomen of the upper class.
You see," said Georgy, I'm afraid
I'm going to be awfully presumptu-
ous-'
"Nonsenser' Ethel interrupted. "You
couldn't be that when you and your
father have been so very good to me
Come on! Out with itr'
1t was true that Ethel Willoughby
felt that she was deeply in the debt
OF the Wagstaffs-both father and
daughter. Before entering their house
hold as GeOrgy's governess she had
known them upon a footing Of social
equality. But fortune had frowned
upon her. And when circumstances
had become most pressing Sir George
had come to her relief with the pro-
posal that she undertake the guidance
Of his somewhat difficult daughter. 1t
was not that Georgy WAS greatly diff
ferent from other girls of the impress
sionable age. But Sir Georges public
duties left him little time to devote TO
the upbringing of his motherless child.
And it had struck him that Ethel
Willoughby was a person who at the
same time would be able to sympathize
with Georgy's impulses and direct
Them into the proper channels.
What's on your mind. Georgy %
Miss Willoughby asked again. as the
girl still hesitated.
Its about your past" Georgy be-
gan in deadly seriousness.
Ethel laughed at her tragic manner.
Have Ia past3" she inquired
lightly.
But the romantic Georgy was not
TO be diverted from her mood
That's just the question" she COM
mented. you know l shouldn't mind
II In the least if you had. 1 believe
IN people living their own lives, in
their own way" Georgy prided her
self that she was advanced" She
considered the ordinary fnsular atti-
tude toward what Is termed morality
70 be stodgy and Victorian. Indeed.
she quite fancied the more free-a1d-
easy continental view of life.
What or earth are you talking
aoout? Ethel demanded. II the truth
We're known, she felt the least bit IN