Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-08-09
ITO HER!'
BY MARY TRACY EARLE.


I'm waiting for a couple of old cTonies
Of mine. he said, again and again. I'VE
have an appointment to meet every year
at this date, and we've kept it now for
ten years
At last one of the cronies came.
Hello. Boyd" he called.
Am | late?" Boyd asked, glancing
around him like bird. Where's Lis
COM
Hasn't shown up yet" Elbridge an
swered. Wen wait here for him.
How's the world with you, old MANI"
Perfect. Business increasing beauti-
fully. This is fine year"
Have you seen Lscorn lately ?"
Yes. week or two ago; he came into
my office why, let me see" Boyd
paused and computed That's queer; it
seems only a few days, but it must have
been in March
Boyd looked at his watch again.
w hat can be keeping him." he Won
dered nervously.
whats the use of asking when we've
lost sight of his doings 50 completely {?
Was he looking well in March?''
oh. yes, looking fine. At least, l
hOH I AtltNilb'i billIl- tDOub IiIS lUbkSs
He's been cadaveTous these ten years"
Time passed again in perfunctory talk.
Then Elbridge rose. I'm afraid Lis
CONS ill., he said. IF he were well he
would either have come or gotten word
to us by this time. | think I'll call cab
and ride up to his address. You might
go around to your brothers and come
back after an hour. I'll leave a message
here in case he comes while we're gone.'
I'm send word to the children and go
with YOU" Boyd said.
The night air met them sharply on the
street. They shiyered as they walked
the short block to the cab rank, and
their minds were heavy with an indefinite
sense OF estrangement from their old
friend.
1T would have been easier to keep
trace of him if he hadn't lived in such
an out-of the-way place" Elbridge said.
He likes out-of the-way places" Boyd
answered. He's queer, anyway. Who
else would keep this anniversary of the
night he didn't get married? And who
else would have stopped the ceremony to
refuse to agree to the exact words of the
promise? And yet he drinks her health
every year, just the same"
It's poetical," EIbridge mmmured.
FUDGE said Boyd. Its love"
Love? When he refused to promise
to love her until death do us part?'" Ell
bridge protested. What do you suppose
possessed him 2"
Nothing but hyper eonscientiousness, /"
Boyd declared, as if they had not talked
it all out dozens of times before. Il can
remember just the way it happened,
can't you? What hush there was
when that question struck him. and he
didn't give the response; and then his
voice: But | can't promise to love her
all my life. can promise to honor and
cherish her, but love is beyond our con
troll; no one can honestly promise it for
the future. / can only say l love her
now
what I'd like to forget is her face"
Elbridge said "and how she stood out
for the full promise or none at all. |
was drenched with sweat when it all
broke up and we came away"
And yet it was she who married. he
who has never changed
. Yes" Elbridge admitted, "and 1--WE
heard she had hard time before her
husband died. He was about as untrue
to her rs man could be-"
The cab jolted on, passing far, dim
streets At last the two men left it.
Lscom's neghborhood was forlorner than
they remembered it. They were certain
of the number of his house but his name
was above none of the bells in the en-
trance hall, SO they rang up the janitor.
Must have moved away before
came the janitor declared. I've been
here six months, and there's been no such
party here"
They turned away, baffled and de.
pressed. That's all we can do to-
night" Elbridge said, conclusivelv. TO.
morrow I'll begin systematic search"
IA they stepped into the warm club on
their return its very comfort and the
invitation of its pleasant rooms seemed
to accuse them, \ servant handed Ell
bridge n telegram, He tore it open and
gave an exclamation between relief and
commiscr0tion.
AT least he's alive" he said, passing
the message to Boyd.
Am too i'll to Join YOU" it said
Come to me"
They went out again, exchanging sur
misses He was i'll. but his address did
not suggest poverty. Their second ex
cursion was the shorter of the two. ana
brought them into an attractive quarter
of New York. A white. capped maid nm
SWered their summons and took then
To Llscom. lie was lying in bed. thin
ner and Trailer than ever, but with bright
cr eyes. He grosped the hand of each.
I've been down so long I'd lost coun
of the days" he said in a weak. cage
voice. When remembered, / wa
afraid you'd have given me up and CON
home, But | knew you'd come if YOU go
my message lie clasped their hand
! tighter. You've stood by me. BOYS.
he went on, tremulously. but your lob
done now. | wanted 10 bid YOU goodb,
on this night that you've been helping m
to bear for 50 long. | wanted to bid va,
goodby and to have you wish me low
He looked from one to the other. an,
4 H. e A.