Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-10-04

another genius-funny when we know
nothing about geniuses ourselves, how we
stumble upon them in the dark! He was
haifstarved when we found him. having
spent his last penny for materials for
masterpiece that nobody would buy,
and"
And Nicodemus and fed him. bought
his picture. and purI use to introduce him
to influential friends" interrupted Mill
bred.
"Well, you see, the poor devil is a gem
tleman, and | thought if you'd only take
him up socially and have him at your
Thursday evening menageries it would
give him just the prestige that he needs
for start
mir. Stafford" said Mildred earnestly,
how do you ever think of all the nice
things that you are always planning for
people 2"
Pm not accountable" protested Billy
with shrug. It's Nicodemus that puts
me up to the tricks" And he twirlcd one
Of the dogs fuzzy ears teasingly.
"Nicodemus?" smiled Mildred.
"Yes-his eyes. They look at me. then
Il have to help all the poor beggars
along"
One evening, six months later, all the
gas burners were in full tilt in Billy's
loom and its nervous occupant was tid-
getting before the mirror.
NO, NIcodemus, you can't come with
me tonight" said Billy. in answer to a
pleading whine at his heels. Little dogs.
mustn't ask questions" he wGnt on
playfully, shaking his finger, as Nicodee
mus clawed unspoken why's" into Billy's
good -natured ankles. But grownup
men have TO ask question once in their
lives" added Billy-'u only it could be
answered without being putt" And he
dropped weakly into chair and Nicode
mus, booking upon this as an invitation
direct, sprang into his lap.
"Nicodemus,' said Billy solemnly. ''if
you saw something that you were hun
gering for, way up above your head,
would You sit by looking at it all your
life or would you make one desperate
spring to have it for your very OWN"
Then he put the dog down eXctedly
and went ON dressing, strengthened
purpose in his wistful eyes.
As he finished knock at the door
Brought Il shade of annoyance into the
genial face, which cleared into sunburst
of welcome as Maurice Norris entered.
You are going out!" exclaimed the
artist apologetically. STOPPING to fondlc
Nicodemus, who rushed at him in furry
OF delight but | won't detain YOU see
ond | wanted you to be the first. dear
friend, to hear my wonderful news"
You have sold pictWe?" smiled
Billy.
No" replied Norris. flush of happy
excitement on mis- handsome face; some
body has given me one-to frame here"
And his graceful fingers touched his
| heart.
Pm afraid that I'm stupid ass; but
! I'm not good at conundrums.' laughed
Billy. Out with it at once. old mani"
1t is Mildred st. Clair" cried Maurice,
his face ecstatic as he spoke her name.
she has promised to be my wife. And
owe it all to you, Stafford. How can
ever show my gratitudeg'
BY being tender ard true to the dear
est, the noblcst woman on Gods earth"
said Billy softly, and he held out his
hand and looked straight before him into
the artists eyes
When Norris had gone Billy turned out
the lights one by one and the room was
in total darkness. Then. hat in hand he
stumbled across the floor to the door.
There he stopped.
"Nicodcmus.' said he in a strained
voice. after all, you may come with me
/ need YOU
Silently they walked up one street ami
down another. until at last they came to
an open square and turned into it. and
Billy sank down upon bench. An hour
passed in mhroken stiffness; then tear
crept down the mans cold, motionlcss
face.
"Nicodcmus,' whispered Billy, Il think
that we'd better 80 home now--I felt a
drop of rain"
And Nicodemus, looking up at the
stars. wagged his tail Neutrality-suspicious.
y ork Daily News.