The morning call., 1893-05-06
A WISE JUDGE.

Hugh, come here" called Mr. Alfred
Nevalls. the active partner Of Nevalls.
Son & Co., forwarders, from his private
office.
The bookkeeper left his desk in the
middle room and stood silent before his
master.
"Close the door and sit down"
Hugh obeyed quietly, demurely. as he
did everything else. as undist turbed and as
imperturha5le as the belIry is to the clangor
of the bell.
''SOph-thatis, Mrs. Nevalls-has returned
from Armway and IS now visiting her
mother. Mrs. Tracey" began Hr. Neyalls.
Sorry to hear that, sir"
And she has little Mary with her."
MIR. Nevails looked tlercely at his retainer
as if expecting a response, and Hugh re-
piled: Sorry again, sir"
Yes. and by the Lord l won't stand it.
My-that is, Mrs. NevRlls-nas broken her
word, or at least our understanding; wGile
l have been prompt and true to every
undertaking. What did she mean by say
ing that she would take the house at Arm
way and educate the child If she didn't in
tend to stay there? She knew full well
that, separation or No separation, l would
never submit my little girl to the domina-
tion Of that old harridan. And yet she is
back here in n months time.
81 suppose. as it always was, it's Mother
She has ruined two lives, but she shan't
ruin the third! l tell you. Hugh, [ won't
stand it, by Jove. won't stand tl' And
Mr.. Neyalls, as If to eXemplify this deter
mination. began to pace up and down the
floor. You must get little Mary for me,
he continued. II am her natural guardian.
The law gives me the right, and now So
pha's-I mean Mrs. Nevals'-own act
makes it a duty. You must get her, and
trust me. Pll keep her"
Yes, SIR" said Hugh, and he arose a If
be had been asked to fetch file of papers.
"Wait a moment Don't be so abrupt.
Can't you see Pm nervous? You won't 10
anything to shock Sophia? She mas such
tender, sensitive nature"
"Oh, 10, indeed, sir"
AND Will you need any money!"
81 will let you know this afternoon, when
l have reconnOiiered aud found out how
old and ugly the maid is"
We'll, take your time and method. Hugh.
| trust you. But look out for that old
warrior if you value your eyes and hair"
Cant spare them, sir, even TO oblige
lady" And silently, furiiyely, Hugh
passed into his Office and thence out of the
warehouse, leaving word with the boy at
the door that lie was going to a funeral and
would not be back before night if he had to
drive TO the cemetery.
By a circuitous ruute Hugh made his way
to the neighborhood of the Tracey mansion
and waited. But by and by the door of the
mansion opened and slammed, and short
stout, red-faced woman, who looked angry
with herself since there was no other suita-
bic antagonist present, came down the
steps, tightly grasping child by the hand,
dainty little girl, with long golden hair
and happy eyes, and feet that danced lmpa-
t!en.!y TO the restraint OF her g-ancmothers S
stride. She marched up the street as il to a
bastion. She wheeled at The corner and en-
tered the park by that very path near which
Hugh lay in ambush, and little Mary skiDped
bIithely by her side like Cupid attending
one of the Fates.
-. IL,
shall have better chance. There's not a
soul In sight. But what can L do? can [
loosen those breadhooks short of CARROT
Ing"
He withdrew the closer among the ever
greens as the pair approached, and looked
about him in desperation. The lazy url OF
the smoke caught his eye and suggested a
wicked design. But there was success 10 II.
for saint or shrew. victim or vixen. would
surely be affected alike by such peril.
He deftlv wove a wIsp of leaves, twigs and
grass. He lighted it. he crept behind the
mairon and dropped it on her trailing
woplen skirt. In an instant he was by her
side, with arms uprai5ed and alarm pro-
truding eyes.
BEG pardon, ma'am," he shouted, but
your dress is all ablaZe."
Now II there was one thing-persons were
out OF the running - that the Widow
Tracey feared it was fire. There was a
direclness about it which she could appreci-
hVered whenever new servant was en-
gagged, and consequently very often, would
nave been potent advertising medium for
an sleetrie-llgGt company. And so. as she
looked behind her and saw the smudge, she
lost her head and found her feet at the
same moment. Without thought of the
ehlid, she sped across the lawn toward her
nome, surprising The air with singular
screams.
Hugh stamped on the wisp, which he had
adrnltly kicked from the skirt. and then
raising the terrified little girl lightly In his
arms, disappeared through the windlngs eff
the grove. A moment later they we're
seated In downtown car, little Mary con-
tentedly munching her orange and Hugh
holding her hand as carefully, il not as ag-
gTessiyeiy, as her grandmother had.
"YOu are glad to 60 and see your papa ?''
SAID he.
'Yes, and my mamma. too"
"And you love your papa?"
"0h, yes, and my dear mamma"
Hugh thought for a moment. 1t was
iDgly of parents who had separated. Their
chickering's had not affected her instinct at
least; perhaps its purity might bind what
they had looscd.
"Thats right, little one," he said, "always
speak Of your father and mother as If they
we're united in all things as they are in
your love-
Little Mary looked at him inquiringly as
II she but half comprehended.
4 love my papa and my mamma. bofe of
dem together" she stnutly reiterated.
Poor Widow Tracey ran aud screamed