Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-03-12
TO HIGHEST BIDDER
BY lzoLA FoRREsTsR.

There was no specially sentimental
reason why Dexter should have felt
interested in he final fate of the Win
dygool estate, yet as he saw the broad
advertisement of the local auctioneer
in the little weekly paper he felt a pc
culiar twinge of what some have called
heart strings.
After breakfast he took the small
chummy roadster and made the three
and one-half mile run along the shore
road to the grounds.
II was large. square house. buif
In the italian villa style. The view
out to sea was splendid.
And here he turned the corner of
the path and found girl watching
him intently from the summer house
The two gazed m each other in sur
srised silence for a moment ana rnen
she heckoned to him 70 approach
not in a friendly way hut imperiouslv.
when are you going 10 sell this
placer"
I'm not going TO sell II at an. in.
tend to buy it," he answered couF-
| teou~ly.
| She frowned and raused. Evidently
lis appearance inspired confidence. for
afler a quick seeond glance, she ex-
planned:
Il have come from Italy This was
my fathers house. Perhaps you know
Of himy'
Dexters eyes were steady and keen
He knew more Of Seward Coates than
his daughter did he fancied.
My father is dead" She addeG.
without emotion. HE was in the war
My mother is very beautiful but she
has no head AT al for business. 50
I am managing things now."
Dexter nodded his head gravely
eve do moi wish to sen W'ndygool
at all shall pay the taxes and live
| here"
Let me send you a couple Of com
petent, Trustworthy old helpers and
pay Off these taxes. and look out for
things for YOU knew your father.
and have several of his paintings my
self should he glad indeed; TO have
you for neghhor"
He left her still in the old summer
house. resting. roses in her lap and
peace in her dark eyes. Before eun-
down old Jerry and Roxy, his wife
were Installed and telegram had
cone back from RoSton announcing
that Mrs Coates would arrive in the
morning. Dexter reviewed his days
activities ami laughed to himself
He leaned back his head in TIE deep
leather chair thinking how rs Young
Ster he had loved to visit Coates. and
how good he had been TO the boy who
admired his work aud adventurous
life.
Now there would he no auction. no
wiping out of the old story, no packing
away Of the paintings from the broad,
low walls.
1t was six weeks later He was
busy writing about dusk in the living
-oom when suddenly Francesca stepped
INTO the room from the long windows
that opened on the veranda.
She had a lace scarf around he's
bead and was out Of breath she held
l,1mpled in her hand o long folded
psper and handed it TO him with eyes
tii6t sparkled tragically.
II found that in his desk. or course
we did not know. We win leave At
once, my mother says, and we apoio-
gfze."
! He opened and read If, inwardly
curslng the hia-hearted Responsibility
Of Coates. Unreservetlly he gave Win
| dygooI. in the event of his death. 10
my very dear friend and neighbor
Courtney Dexter, who appreciates It
as | 10"
@But this is not legal" he protested
at is not even Witnessed. Don't think
of it Mt all. You know and | know
your father was iInpulsive and er-
| ratio
She raised her hand TO stop him,
Il would obey anything az all he told
me to do. This is in his writing, and
We were nearer TO each other than
you could even know. Mr. Dexter
Dexter looked at her with sudden
Intensity and longing. Since she would
stand firm then he would ten her. He
crossed to his desk. hunted In The lone
center drawer and found Seward
Coates last letter to him. written
from Sorrento before he went 20 the
front. He gave it to her and watched
her face as she read.
For death is nothing hut tran.
sition to higher beauty. but for these
we love 1t is tragedy. So | am asking
you to meet and know my daughter
Francesca TO me she is the flower
Of life. and Of all men ! have known
would inirnst her happiness to you
most Of all This is merely a shot
into the blue from troubled mind
yet what Is to he viii be. salute you
with all good wishes and renem
brances. COATES"
There was deep silence In the
quiet room. Francesca had covered
her face with her hands He drew hel
head ia his shoulder tenderly.
81 would not hog Won IA rnarry vns