Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-04-22
THE HOLE IN THE WALL.

servants and tradesmen.
One warm summers afternoon Sir
Giles was being drawn i'll his bath chair
across the lawn, thence along narrow
pathway until the wall was reached.
Under the tree there was comfortable
Iounoe chair. in which, with the help of
his footman. Sir Giles took his seat.
Push me a little nearer the wall, he
cried, irritably. Now you can go. Come
back at o'clock"
The baronet gazed after the footman
until he disappeared among the trees. lie
then proceeded to displace stone near
the bottom of the wall. His fingers
oroped around, and he gave a sign OF
deep satisfaction.
mo letter They will come, then
A quarter of an hour passed, and he
tapped his fingers impatiently on the
magazine which lay on his lap.
That's the boy" he mutttred as there
came soft rustling of dried leaves.
''Shc is late"
The voice was inpatient.
Sir Giles chuckled softly.
"The impotence of youth
A glad cry was heard, the sound of
kiss, then another kiss.
"The girl now" the old man said
softly.
Twenty years of solitude had left
their marks on his face As he listened
to the love chatter of the young couple
on the other side of the wall his face
gradually softened
Not always had he been the recluse
and misanthrope There was no prouder
and happier man than Sir Giles had been
some twenty years ago. His life and
hopes were centered il his son Jack, a
fine, manly young fellow, such as would
gladden. any fathers heart.
The quarrel was a sudden one. The
reason-a woman. Hard words were ex-
changed, for they were both possessors
of the Travis temper. A parting in anger
and two months afterward news came of
Jacks death. Not line or message had
been left for his father.
The blow was a terrible one to Sir
Giles. He closed his heart to all human
sympathy and retired to the seelusion
of Travis towers.
A few months afterward he was
stricken with paralysis, and the long
years had been wearisome with suffer
ing and ennui.
For the last two or three months a
new interest had come into his life. The
whole pretty love comedy seemed to have
been played within earshot.
When first they met there was the diff
ference of youth Their voices at first
were louder but as their love increased
their seats on the fallen tree without the
wall grew closer together, and their
voices were ; rered when they began to
exchange swee, loving nothings.
4 NyppLy mn Tho HOY had 1on1ornJ biS
passion. The old mans heart seemed to
unfreeze ard grow human again as he
listened to the passionate pleading of
the lover, the shy, timid answer, and the
frenzied kisses that were exchanged.
Only twice since that day had they
met, and a cloud had appeared on loves
horizon.
What did he say" she asked eagerly.
"lle refused absolutely" he answered,
mownfully.
What reason did he give, Jack?" she
demanded. Indignantly.
Your guardian told me that | was n
penniless advcnturcr, and that it was
your money was after" he replied,
modify
The wretch! But it doesn't matter
We can marry without him"
Il did not know You had so much
money, dear one. You are rich and T.
have nothing"
But we have love"
We can't live on that 1t is true.
have my profession, but | have only Just
become doctor, and it is an uphill game
unless one has money to buy practice
| have none"
Did he not hold out any hopc?" she
| asked, TREMENDOUSLY
YES. He said that if could prove to
him that | had practice which would
| bring III five hundred year he would
give his consent / must say that he is
reasonable, but
viii it take you very long to gain
such practice?
Years"
Let us marry ut once she cried. inn
pulsively. Il don't mind being poor"
If You marry without his consent You
get none of the money. and couldn't let
You do that. darling Joan"
There was silence and Sir Giles
looked irritably at the hole
Il have made up my mind, dear"
YES"
Il am going away at oncc-tomorrow.
You must forget me. 1t is not fair to
YOU"
There was a sound Of sobbing.
Don't cry, darling" he said. plead
ngly.
The fool!" the baronet muttered.
Il can't let You got" she cried, miser-
| ably.
Il will work hard-and-in time, per
! haps-"
The boys voice broke.
J Don't go tomorrow. Stay till Satur.
! day. 1t is only four days. she asked.
| plcadiugly.
There was the sound of a passionate
farewell, the rustic of leaves. and all was
! silence.
Saturday afternoon came and Sir Giles
| looked anSiously at the hole in. the wall.