Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-10-08

man I'D ms senses could De capable OF ae-
eusing Walter of dishonesty
1t soon became known that Margarc,
ensuing few days established the fact
that, of the whole population of South
bridge, Margaret VenabIes was the only
person who still believed in Walters in
nocence.
Nor did she for a moment hesitate to
express her conviction. She went about
the town as usual, holding her head it
might be, a little more erect. and. al
though her face looked wistful and pale,
Miss Penfold could only describe her
manner of defiant. Meeting kind hearted
Mrs. Davy in High street, Margaret de-
iiberately ''cut" her; she quarreled with
several of her mothers oldest and dear
est friends because they could not re-
frain FROM advising her to refuse to have
any further dealing with Redmond; and
more than once in Miss Penfold's hearing
Margaret stoutly maintained her belief
IN his perfect innocence, even carving
the war into the cnemy's territory and
declaring that Nh Davy, since his para
lytic stroke, was well known to be les,
was trying to let OF sell her house ami
its furniture, that she was ALREADY max
ing preparations for very early we'd
ding after which she was to sail with
Redmond to one of the colonies. Resent.
ing such behavior on Margaret's part.
Miss Penfold, as everybody had antici-
pated, referred to the subject at the next
Dorcas meeting, when she suggested that
no notice whatsoever should be taken Of
the marriage. Although, on the motion
OF Mrs. Anscombe, it was agreed that
anybody who pleased should be at lib
erty to witness the ceremony, the unan-
lmous decision was arrived at that TO
one should send Margaret present
Nevertheless, there were occasional mo-
ments of weakness when Miss Penf0ld
found it difficult to refrain from pity for
a young woman who, having been care
fully nurturcd, and being herself suit
ably scrupulous and punctilious, should
yet be misguided enough to accompany
this disreputable person across the seas.
Miss Penfold sat at her bedroom window
watching Margaret tending her beloved
plants and imagined how regretful she
must feel to leave her garden at its best.
The girls face had grown pitiablv thin
and pallid during the last few days, al
though, ii she CHANGED to look in her
neighbours direction, it would be certain
to tighten with one of Margaret's sweet.
irresistible smiles. No doubt. thought
Miss Penfold. such faith was an emf.
nently desirable thing from Walter Red
mond's point Of view. To say nothing of
Alargarets money, which would Keen
him from restitution, surely her comrade
ship might prevent him from sinking
still lower.
While Miss Penfold never passed day
without carrying her knitting to the
arbor by the oak paling, while she over
heard many private conversation, she
never listened to any reference to the
cloud by which Walter was overshad-
owed. Margaret never binted at her dis
appointment or at any possible hard.
ships in store, but constantly talked OF
the pleasures of the voyage and ques-
toned him concerning his intentions on
reaching their destination. But one
beautiful summer evening, when the air
was fragrant with The scent of roses and
honeysuckle, when the blackbirds we've
singing and no cloud could be seen in the
sky, one evening, week before the we'd
ding, Miss Penfold sat in her arbor. knit
ting q mitten, when she heard Walter
Redmond's voice within few feet of the
oak paling.
Few women he was saying, evident
~ in the middle of a conversation.
would have been pluclly enough to stick
to ne dis you've done"
Margaret did not answer, but Miss
Penfold ceased knitting. Few. indeed"
she said to herself. Pew indeed could
have remained so blindl"
Il CAM attempt to tell you what
think of YOU" Walter continued 'or
what | think of myself I've gone
through a terrible struggle, Margaret"
Still Miss Penfold could not to her
regret, hear Margaret's reply, but a
sound, something resembling a catch in
the breath, reached the listeners ears.
s. with the principles of light and
darkness" said Walter, (which, | sup
pose, Turk somewhere in most of us. A
dozen times Ive come here meaning to
say what I'm going to say this evening""
What prevented you," mmmured Mar
garct.
You" 4ie answered. AT first ! tried
to deceive myself--to make myself be-
lieve | ought to keep silence for your
own sake. The simple fact is that
couldn't face the necessity to lose you
Because" he continued in a manner,
tAhI SoHlS " put YOU away out OF my
life. Can you imagine the vast difference
it will make TO me-to go alone, and
when might, just by keeping quiet, take
you with me? Do you know why / am
making this long introduction"
no" said Margaret
Because, when you have heard the
worst of me. when have said good bye
TO YOU | want you still to remember
that / had it in my power to keep up
the deception and-and to make you my
wife within a week"
Marcarct's next words seemed to Miss
penfold to be the most astounding She
had ever heard. The voice was perfect
~ firm and distinct, in spite of its low
ness.
g do know the worst" she said
mo" answered Walter. "you may
think am misclably weak and not half
worthy of YOU. but from first to last you
have believed in my innocence. You