Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-12-20
Cradle or Grave.
L~-~%~~e-~e%-> "se>-o-%*~-%-A%-%%

E@0SThe proud lady was giving Il
small dance to celebrate her only sons
Homecoming from college; and Teddy,
why, he was the happiest young fell
low In the world. And why not? Had
he not Just emerged from the univer-
sity with colors flying, and was he not
about to ask the girl of his heart TO
gladden. his hearthstone for life?
His mother had said to him during
the day: Don't be too sanguine, Ted
DIV. for Helen has been accepting at
tcntions from Mr.. IIawtrey during the
last few months. and he is rich and
world-weary and just the sort OF man
to fascinate young girl fond Of fiat
terry and position"
"Helen loves me, I'm sure" replied
confident Ted, and, besides, she would
not sell herself"
well, my dear, / hope you are not
to be disappointed, but the ways Of
the girl f-the-periOd are beyond me.
You remember Mabel CoulterE'
oh Mabel was flirt,' broke in
Ted, land 1t was not to be expected
that she would marry the man She had
led on; but Helen--I only want her
word that she'll wait until I've made
my future sure. She's true blue!
AS for the young lady herself, she
felt sure that Teddy Armstrong would
propose that night and, though she
confessed that her heart was in state
Of commotion when she thought of
him. still il would be awful nice to be
Mrs. Bruce Hawtrey and live in the big
mansion, have all sorts of Injuries and
travel in Europe
And Mr. Hawtrey. He was II wild
over, old enough to be Helen's father,
and was voted to be something of a
cad "The little Vernon Ally" he had
remarked, has lots of go, and a young
wife would be a novel plaything, now
that my clubs and life In general are
getting to be something of bore"
The guests had all arrived, and ev-
erything was very jolly. Helen Yer
non. Mr.. Iawtrey and Ted were COW
Gritty watched by all, az gossip had it
that both men were dead set" on win
ming the pretty belle Of NJ.
One rotund dowager leaned toward
her neighbor and remarked Teddy
is SO young ana Hawtrey so old that
it seems n race between the cradle and
the grave" accompanying her words
with mirthless laugh that made the
sentimental young matron she address
ed and who hoped that young Arm
strong would be victor nervous.
lawtrey, who, TO do him Justice,
was not so near the grave as the old
gossip implied, took moro of Helm's
dances than good form allows, aud
also assumed an mir of proprietorship
that made the younger man wild. lie
forgot everything, and resolved inn
pctuously to have ii out with Ilawtrry.
quite improperly forgetting that the
hlase gentleman was his mothers
guest and entitled TO every courtesy
After his rivals second dance with
Helen. Teddy approached him and said
With sort of challenge in his voice;
Come upstairs, Hawtrey. have
some capital cognac in my rooms. I'd
like your opinion of it,
Done. my boy" replied the older
nan suavcly.
Scarcely had they reached the rooms
when Teddy began hotly:
Now see here, Mr.. Hawtrey
But he got no farther, Hawtrey
placed one hand on the fiery boys
A a
II know what you would say; hut
let us not be impolite or hasty. She's
mine IL she will or she's yours If she
viii Go in and win her, IL you can
Remember. III show YOU no quarter
'alrs fair In love
But she loves me. she's only daz
lied by your money" asserted Ted
with amazing fraukneSs
II don't care whom she loves it il
whom she will marry that interests
me-" answered the older man, with {
cool stare.
by heavens would you marry ,
girl that only
Il would marry any girl TO whom
took notion, If the mood pleased me
Love is an old-fashioned commodity
Ask Helen. Mr.. Armstrong. when yol
get chance; ! mean to, during thi
next dance"
Poor Teddy was stunned. His ideal
were pure, and he very properly re
garded honor love and respect rs
holy trinity. Suddenly an idea scenes
to strike him.
"'All's fair In love you say" he r,
marked CURLY, and strobe from IN
room. saying In very low voice. as h
PASSED his big maStiff, who was dozlu
on a rug. Watch him. Duke
The next waltz was half ended whe
Ted strolled up to Miss Vernon an
said, in tone of mock surprise: