Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-08-01
"a Woodland
1aid
00
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE

Life at its dreariest had come to
Alma Royce at eighteen. Her father
had died just as she had reached the
acme of girlhood loneliness and had
settled into life which she had rea-
son to hope would have no break for
a long time to come. The existence Of
herself and her father had been an
ideal one since she was q mere child.
There was not country estate in the
district that could equal Wildwood in
extent and beauty, and there for over
a decade the Rovces had received all
the advantages Of luxury and ease.
The former owner of the place, John
Wayne, died when his only son and
heir Gerald, was a mere lad. Previous
to that Alma's father, originally a coll
lege professor, had broken down in
health and John Wayne, an old college
friend, had employed him to systema-
tie and care for his great collection
of antiques. When Mr. Wayne died
there was a provision made In his will
that the old scientist was to continue
his work and have a home at Wild
wood and its entire charge until his
son attained his majority. OF that
son after that the Royces only knew
that he was receiving a full education
abroad.
1t was after her fathers death that
the family lawyer of the Waynes Wis
tied Wildwood.
Miss Royce" he said, 1--WE under
stand that Mr.. Gerald Wayne is about
to return to this country and settle up
the estate. Doubtless Wildwood will
pass into other hands. 1t may be some
time before that may come about, and
until it does, we would like to have
you remain In charge here.
Alma felt that it was only a ques-
ton of time when she would have to
go out into the wide world cheerlessly
alone. And she shrank from the siren
nous life ahead of her, contrasting so
harsh and unfriendly with her calm,
even experience at Wildwood.
Alma was busy one day directing
the transplanting of some shrubbery
when she noticed young man, an en-
tire stranger, standing by the garden
roadway. His eyes were fixed upon
her studiously and lnterestedly. AS her
glance met his own he advanced. re-
moving his hat with courteous bow.
Then a seeming afterthought as to in
PRODUCING himself appeared to occur
to him. He took several cards. Sc
lecting one unfortunately and near
ing Alma rendered 1t to her. She
read upon its face "Wylie Blair" and
under this the name of the law firm
which attended to the business of the
estate.
"You are Miss Royce, l am sure"
spoke the visitor. He was rather
grave of manner, young and handsome
as he was, as though study or weari-
ness of the world had brought serious
ness and surfeit, but sight of the
fair young girl appeared to tighten his
natural mood. 81 have come to look
over Wildwood, preparatory to posi-
Bile disposal of 1t to the best adyan-
tage."
new brightness came into his face
as Alma in her pretty Intelligent way
showed him over the grounds. But it
was when she led him inside the sump-
tuous house that he became absorbed in
contemplation of its contents. His
being seemed to be in complete har-
mony with the unique and beautiful,
and he reveled over a Carrara marble
girls head by Fiaschi, favorite horse
study of Rosa Bonheur, Khiva rugs,
Soumake of wide proportions, the an
tique mahogany highboys, the Japan
ese teak wood screen before the ara
besque fireplace, pearl reading glasses,
silver trophy cups won by speedy
horses and books, books, books, gath
cred from the most exclusive store
houses of the world.
For nearly week each afternoon
this apparent agent and authorized
representative of Gerald Wayne APP
peared at Wildwood He made pre-
tense of taking notes, but it was clear
from his intent association with Alma
that he most priced this innocent, gen.
tie woodland creature. He commend
e,l her careful system of keeping the
accounts of the estate. He was rapt
listener, as in her weil-informed way
she recited the value and history OF
this and that priceless piece of bric-a-
brac AT times Alma was puzzled,
for while he seemed pleased at the
information she impaired. here and
there some chance remark showed
that he was no novice in art antique.
Il am going away to borrow, Miss
Royce" he said at the c of week.
and on the morrow, as they were seat
ed together ON n garden seat, he looked
at her earnestly with the words: You
have made Wildwood a revelation to
me. an6 l am satisfied its owner
would be vandal quite to scatter TO
the winds ruthlessly the labor of long
years"
Il am glad" said Alma in Ger frank,
ingenious way, land l hope YOU will
tell Mr.. Wayne that" Then she sighed
and glanced sorrowfully all about her.
shr:' miss all the beautiful life I