Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-04-04
The Substitute
By cENEvIEVE ULMAR


Prescott, a queen of beauty and flask
ion. gazing out rather YEARLY at the
street. A token Of interest came into
her eyes as she saw lovely girl with
sweet, childIike face pause to pat a
lame dog on the head one moment, and
the next lift up a crying child who had
stumbled and fallen on the pavement.
She raised the little one in her arms,
caressed and consoled her and sent
her on her way with her tears all
kissed away. Miss Prescott turned to
her maid, who was unpacking trunk.
WHO is that girl, Martha?" she
asked, and the maid hurried to her
side.
"Oh, please, Miss Honora. that is
Nellie Druitt, the new schoolteacher."
Hurry after her, Martha, and ask
her If she will kindly come into the
house for a moment"
Imperious as Miss Trescott usually
was, her tone had softened and her
eyes were tender and sympathetic.
She was creature of impulse, gener-
ally followed out her whims and was
uSeu ~ HdNluS lneu SEdUHeu.
1t was not often that Rushville saw
the queenly heiress of the great Tres
colt estate. She passed most of her
time in the city social circles. For
three or four weeks in the spring, how
ever, the country home was opened up
and the family there received numer-
Gus friends. Such guests, to quite a
number, were to motor to Rushville
and attend a grand party to be given
by Honora on her birthday. But there
had come break in the arrangements.
Her close friend, a Miss Clarice Bur-
dett, had fallen i'll. 1t broke the pair
ing of her guests. Miss Trescott felt
that she needed support as the hostess,
and the necessity of a substitute was
urgent.
Wondering vaguely, Nellie Druett
was overtaken by the maid. She
bowed assent to the request made. She
had heard of Miss Prescott and her
elaborate entertainments. she gazed
about her, lost in admiration OF the
elegant furnishings as she was shown
into a choice boudoir and Miss Tres
colt advanced with outstretched hand,
a welcoming smile on her lips.
"You sweet child 7! she said, and
kissed Nellie on the cheek. ST hope
you forgive, and do not misunderstood
why / sent for you. / am a compara-
tive stranger in Rushville, although
this is supposed to be my home"
Then the stately lady frankly and
clearly explained the situation.
Il shall feel honored to introduce
you to my friends" she said, ''and you
can help me out, oh, so much. Won't
you try and fancy we are old, dear
friendsT
Nellie was completely won by the
pleasant manner of her hostess. It
was with infinite delicacy that Miss
Prescott made her understand that she
was comforting a distinct favor. and
that Nellie should be provided with
party dress and accepted as guest,
and in no wise as a stranger.
Nellie had dreamed of just such an
occasion as that which eventuated two
evenings later. Amid all her longings,
however, never had she hoped to at
tain the elegance of attire with which
she was provided. The guests treat
ed her as if one of their select num-
Der. She found herself apportioned to
a Mr.. Torrens. and before the evening
was over lost all self-consciousness
amid Its rare enjoyments. Mr.. Tor
rens was a true chevalier and seemed
immensely attracted. Nellie heard his
name mentioned In connection with
that of Miss Prescott, and understood
that they were engaged. 1t was after
midnight when Miss Prescott babe her
good-by and placed her In charge of
Mr.. Torrens. She had presented Nell
lie with a pretty diamor:- sGHburst.
Nellie felt like some modern Clnder-
ella as she at length stood alone in
the humble room of the home of Mrs.
Alcott, a widow lady with whom she
boarded. 1t fairly dizzled her to think
over the events of the evening. 1t
caused her breath to quicken as she
recalled the courteous, almost tender
attention of Mr.. Willard Torrens. She
had been greatly surprised as he babe
her adieu with request that he might
call upon her later.
Nellie experienced a vague sense OF
treachery when Mr.. Torrens spent a
fusl hour 10 the parlor of the widows
humble home two evenings later. She
could not resist an invitation to a
motor drive the following Saturday af-
teTnoon. She wondered what the ex-
acting Miss Prescott would think OF
these attentions on the part of her
flance. Still she forgot all save en-
thusiastic enjoyment as they drove
across hills and dells and slowed up
at the borders of pretty, pfacid lake.
Miss Druett, Nellie" spoke Willard
Torrens earnestly, Il have halted here
purposely, to tell you what have been
longing to tell you since the nrst eve
ming we nett love you"
"Oh, Mr. Torrensl' faltered Nellie,
bewIldered and embarrassed. Il must