Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-01-03
THE CRADLE OR THE GRAVE.

and Teddy, why he was the happiest
young fellow in the world! And why
not? Had he not Just emerged from the
university with colors flying, and was he
not about to ask the girl of his heart 10
gladden. mis- hearthstone for life?
His mother had said to him during the
day: Don't be too sanguine, Teddy, for
Helen has been accepting attentions from
Mr.. Hawtrey during the last few months,
and he is rich and world weary, and just
the sort OF man to fascinate young girl
fond Of fatteTy and position"
Helen loves me, I'm sure" replied con
fident Ted, 'and, besides, she would not
sell herself"
"Wcll, my dear, / hope you are not
to be disappointed, but the ways of the
girl-of- the period are beyond me. You
remember Mabel Coulter?''
"Oh, Mabel was flirt," broke in Tod,
"and it was not to be expected that she
would marry the man she had led on;
but Hclen-I only want her word that
she'll wait until I've made my future
sure. She's true bluc!"
As for the young lady herself, she felt
sure that Teddy Armstrong would pro-
pose that night, and, though she con
tessed that her heart was in Il state of
connection when she thought Of him. still
it would be awful nice to be Mrs. Bruce
IIawtrey and live IN the big mansion,
have all sorts of luXTies and travel in
Europe.
And Mr.. Hawtrey. He was widower,
old enough to be Helen's father, and was
voted TO be something of Il cad The
little Vernon 1lly," he had remarked,
"has lots of 90, and young wife would
be novel plaything, now that my clubs
and life in general are getting to be
something OF a bore
The guests had all arrived, and every
thing was very jolly. Helen Vernon, Mr..
Iiawtrey and Ted were covertly watched
by all, as gossip had it that both men
were dead set on winning the pretty
belle of Nj.
One rotund dowagcr leaned toward her
ncighbor and remarked Teddy is so
young and llawtrey 50 old that it seems
a race between the cradle and the grave"
accompanying her words with mirthless
laugh that made the sentimental Young
matron she addressed, and who hoped
that young Armstrong would be victor
nervous.
llawtrey, vho, to do him Justice, was
not 50 near the grave as the old gossip
implied, took more of Helen's dances
than good form allows and also assumed
an air of proprietorship that made the
younger man wild. He forgot everything
and resolved impetuously to have it out
with Hawtrey quite improperly forget
ting that the blase gentleman was his
mothers guest and entitled to every
courtesy. After his rivals second dance
with Helen, Teddy approached him ana
sad with a sort of challenge in his voice:
Come upstairs, llawtrey. | have some
capital cognac in my rooms. I'd like
your opinion of it."
Done, my boy" replied the older man
suavcly.
Scarcely had they reached his rooms
when Teddy began hotly:
Now see here, Mr.. Hawtrey--"
But he got no farther Hawtrey placed
one hand on the fiery boys shoulder and
observed cooly:
II know what you would say; but let
Us not be impoite or hasty. She's mine
1t she will or she's yours if she will. Go
IN and win her, if you can. Remember.
III show you no quarter-'all's fair in
love-"
but she loves me, she's only dazzled
by your money" asserted Ted, with
amazing frankuess.
Il don't care whom she loves; it is
whom she will marry that interests me"
answered the older man, with a cool
stare.
by heavens, would you marry a yirl
that only"
81 would marry any girl to whom |
took a notion, if the mood pleased me.
Love is an old fashioned commodity.
Ask Helen. Mr.. Armstrong. when YOU pe.
A chance; | mean to, during this next
dance
Poor Teddy was stunned His ideals
were pure, and he very properly regarded
honor. love and respect rs holy trinity.
Suddenly an idea seemed to strike him.
"AlFs fair in love- YOU say" he re-
marked curtly, and strobe from the room.
SAYING in very low voice, as he passed
his big mastiil. who was DOING on
rug. Watch him. Duke"
The next waltz was half ended when
led strollcd up to Miss Vernon and said.
IN a tone of mock surprise:
Why. Helen, you of all people to be
sitting ont daucc!"
The pretty girl blushed and looked a
NlN tIilVN III.
Mr.. Howtrey engaged the number;
evidently he has forgotten me-" she re.
piled,
Finish it with me-"
With pleasure"
Hawtrcy did not appear again that
evening, and many were the comments
because Of his strange disappearance.
hut Teddy looked Supremacy happy. for
the yirl of his heart had said Yes"
The girls chatled Helen bit in the
dressing room because her rich cavalier
mad deserted his principal partner; hut
the young lady did not seem in the least
angry; in fact, She aprcared. as one peri
damsel said, deadly superior"
After the last guest had gone. Tod
bounded upstairs four steps at time
and burst into the room. Duke drew \
long breath of relief and removed the
earnest regard with which he hal been
tavorlng Hawtrcy, who had not appar.
emily moved from his chair-had NOT
dared to move, in fact.
why, Hawtrey are you here ye.?