Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-04-21

v.
! That sounded like Mr. Druce,"
thought Reggie.
He stepped gingerly up to the edge of
! the big pit before referred TO, and peered
into its oozy depths. There crouched n
dim figure at the bottom. BY the rim
| lay Mr.. Druce's hat and from the pit 5
| bottom came the voice of Mr.. bruce,
feehly demanding succor.
rs that Mr.. Druce?" queried Reggie
calmly.
'Of course it is!' snapped the old gen.
tleman angrily. And you are Reginald
Chatters, | presume. l thought should
meet you"
1T is scarcely meeting" said Reg
| gle.
''COnfound your roared the irate par
| ent. Il know of your internal Chamber
ings over my wall last night. It's lucky
| for half an hour, and can't make those
| deaf idiots at the house hear me. How
| ever, help me out, and mayhap | may
| overlook the trespass this once"
That's very good of. you" said Reg
/ gle. He sat down on an upturned wheel
barrow and lit cigarette. He had
never read anything of this sort, but it
| seemed a good opportunity to strike out
| an original line of his own.
49, The action enraged Mr.. bruce to a
dangerous extent. He snorted and
paved like tethered bull. As he drew
| them suck and squish dolefully in the
| sticky clay aud water that lined the bot
| tom. Reggie's cigarette went out, and
| he lit it afresh.
Suppose we strike a bargain?'' he
said, Ticking off the ash. IF you will
recall your decision of yesterday anent
my proposed marriage with Rose, per-
hapS | might overlook your rudeness on
| that occasion, for once, and help you
! out"
You young blackguard!" roared bruce
DO you think I'll be dictated to by
| YOU? I'll stop here all night before
concede you an inch. And when | get
out, heaven help you"'
All right" murmured Reggie, sweetly
| III stay here and keep you company"
| He picked up Mr.. Druce's hat and hung
il on corner of the wheelbarrow.
| Mr.. Druce lifted his voice and shouted
| for help. As a vocal effort it did Dot
amount to much. The angry parent had
already exhausted himself by shouting
and the damp clay had impaired a dis
| tinct h9arseness to his voice. Reggie
was very sorry for him, but he had
on the watch for Reggie he had fallen
| into the pit. 1t was soft enough to pre-
clude any risk of broken limbs
| Reggie knew the shouts would not
reach the house. for all the windows were
shut. and it was unlikely that anyone
den--he hardly ever went there even in
| summer. The waiter on the wheelbar-
row lit another cigarette.
/ Mr.. Druce, after an hour had passed
in silence. fell into a distressing fit of
| coughing.
Its very bad for you, you know" said
Reggie, sympathetically; without a hat,
too. IN afraid you'll catch cold"
"Confound YOU" coughed Mr.. bruce.
! When | want your opinion I'll ask you
for it: | shall have long score to set
| tie with you when / get out
| When YOU get out" echoed Reggie.
sweetly He brushed the ash of his
| cigarette into the pit Reggie felt more
and more happy as time went on, whilst
the unfortunate Mr.. bruce at length be-
gan to find the clammy pit too much for
! him. He tried a more conciliatory tone.
| m subject 10 acute rheumatism" he
| said peevishly, 'and you may have my
death at your door. There is such a
charge as mansaughter | repeat, am
subject TO rheumatism of the most violent
/ nature"
That's bad" said Reggie. Have you
| ever tried senna tea? NY aunt was COM
4 pletely cured"
The old gentleman relapsed into a sud
| den nj OF powerful metaphor which in
/ terrupted the history of Reggie's aunt.
Eventually there came a vanquished
voice from out of the pit. Mr.. bruce
1 gave IN. ne raw air ana OOay clay had
done its work, and he hauled down his
/ colors.
| Get me OUT" he growled i've had
enough of this! You can marry Rose--if
1 she'll have your
And the $500 year-as a start?'
| queried Reggie
Mr.. Druce slipped on the floor Of the
I pit, sat down heavily in the sticky clay.
aud slowly rose again. He scanned the
yellow walls WRarily
Yes" he muttcred; IN throw that in
for ten years.
"on your word Of honor?" insisted
! Reggie.
YES, yes. On my word of henor"'
snapped the old man. testify. Only get
me out at once. or there will he an in
/ quest instead Of weddingi'
Reggie hadc the victim stand aside
| and dropped the whecbarrow into the pit
as stepping-Stone. Then he found a
| couple of garden chairs. which the priS-
| oner piled up ON the barrow. Another
| seat, appended completed the ladder. and
| Mr.. Druce climbed high enough to grasp
the sinewy hand Of Reggie, and was