Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-05-07

| he stopped down and carefully pushed
the burnt fragments under the CRATE.
CHAPTER ~.
Mr. Beale received mis- ward the next
day, not IN the Office as he had antici-
pated, but in the dining room.
1t was most painful to Hugh to be
ushered into that room which had been
the scene of many friendly meetings be-
tween himself and the father and daugh-
ter, and to think how in all probability
he should never enter it on the san
footing again
lie stood just within the door and
looked at his guardian with anxiety and
sorrow depicted il ever line of his
young face For ,c FIRST few seconds
hope sprang up in i'm, for the hop mer-
chant wore not quite so severe an ex-
preston as he had worn Yesterday and
lie wondered with sudden throb of ov
in his heart, if sleep had brought remem :
| brance to him of what had happened
But the next moment that hope was dis
PEELED Mr. Beale spoke to him in the
grave, concerned tone of one who was
more grieved than angry. lie was seated
by the fireplace in his own fayorite arm
chair, and he babe Hugh come and take
the one opposite to him, and talk this
miserable affair over"
Hugh took the proffered seat but it
was impossible for him to make any at
tempt at sitting there Ia comfort; he sat
upright, swinging his hat between his
knees, the very embodiment of wretched-
ness
II have scarcely slept all night, Hugh, .
commenced his guardian, for thinking OF
what will be the best way to act, and I
nave come to the conclusion that there
are but two alternatives. The first is the
one which would be as painful to me as
to you, and which / am most reluctant to
make use of-you understand what |
mean"
Hugh moistcned his dry lips.
You are speaking of prosecuting me,
sir2"
II am, and, hard though it would be
for me to take such step against the
son of my old friend, | should feel in
duty bound to do so, for the sake of the
lesson it would be to you, and the check
it would put upon any inclination you
might have to follow up this evil com
mencement, if another idea had not sug-
gested itself to me-"
What is it," said Hugh, in a low,
dreamy tone. He was hopeless now, and
felt that whatever plan Mr. Beale had in
his mind, nothing could ameliorate the
wretchedness of his position
81 think it very probable that your fall
has been occasioned in the beginning by
some youthful indiscretion or other (I
don't ask what it isl, to avoid the con-
Of x-la
Now we all know well enough. or at least
men of the world like myself know it,
great many young fellows SOW their wild
oats early, and settle down into steady.
sober men enough, when that period is
over; but what they want first of all is
a motive-that motive / think / can find
you"
1t was such a solemn, well-rounded adj
dress, the sentiment of it so sensible, the
apparent consideration for his welfare SO
careful, that for the moment Hugh al
most felt as if he were the lost, dissi-
pated creature that he was called. He
made no answer, however, but sat wait
ing what was to follow. 1t did not come
very readily. Mr.. Beale leant back in his
chair, placing the tips of his fingers to-
gether. and stared contemplatively at
the ceiling.
Hugh" he said al last, ''have YOU
but | believe | have asked You the ques-
ton before-haye you ever thought of
marrying"
The last time that question had been
put 10 Hugh Beverley it had brought the
ingenious bushes to his cheek, but he
was too wTetched to blush now
II suppose everyone thinks of marry
ing sometimes" he said, but my chance
of doing so looks poor enough now. Who
would take me with furnished manner"
Your name is not furnished as vet,
remember" answered Mr.. Beale, quickly.
This affair is at present known 10 no
one upon earth bnt VA two. Hugh, my
alternative suggestion is that you marry
rs soon as possible; n wife will keep you
straight as nothing else can. What do
you say Z"
is it that or prosecution, sir!"
That or prosecution"
Then, Mr.. Beale,' said the young fell
low quietly, Il choose prosecution. God
knows / am innocent in intention of any
crime, and III take my chance; better
that than pcrjure myself to any woman
than swear to love a girl to whom ]
am Indifferent. Just to save my skin"
"You might not be Indifferent; court
ship would probably bring love with H.
The person / am thinking of has some
good qualities, ard a fair share OF
beauty"
"All the same said Hugh, firmly, Il
could not love her. Love does not come
10 order. Mr. Beale."
at comes easily enough said the hop