Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-04-01


one's own-own person"
You hadn't any command at that mo-
ment,' / said.
She cast me fiery glance and bit her
lip as if on something she had decided
to suppress. | think she determined at
that moment to try diplomacy
Mr. Mallson," She said, earnestly and
very persuasiyely, putting a hand on my
arm, you will destroy it, won't your"
1t was pretty; it was pathetic; it al
most succeeded
But / hardened my heart. "On one
condition. | said, slowly, "and it's Il
very easy condition. j might make much
better terms"
Miss Moreton founced away indignant
| ~, and | proceeded on my way to her
mother to make my adieus. The room
was fairly empty now, and was follow
ing a little knot of departing guests into
the hall when ] heard my name reiter-
ated earnestly and softly turned.
/ Mr.. Madison, ] wish you would stay
! Just one moment" said Miss Moreton.
4" She hesitated, glanced about
| the employing room, and then moved to-
ward the back Of it, where a little ante
chamber gave upon it through wide fold
ing doors. ! followed.
You really mean what you say" she
asked suddenly, confronting me- / said
| that / did. Every we'll" she said, bit
terly It's the most atrocious conduct
Of you, and I'll never forgive or forget it.
| But"
She angyily tossed open an album ON
the table, and at last stopped. | bent
down, and beautiful face on fair shout
ders, growing pretty evening gown,
looked at me with charming smile.
looked at my companion. / wished she
would smile like that at me; but even in
her anger she was wonderful. Her gaze
expressed GOODNESS, distance
contempt.
It's most magnificent likeness !
breathed feryentIy "It's-it's divine"
It's said to be good" said Miss More
ton, indiiferently.
It's the most beautiful picture I've
ever seem" ] said.
Do you think so, really?" asked Miss
Moreton
It's your living, breathing image that
looks out on me- | continued.
They do take very well, as a rule,
those people" said Miss AToreton. ailably.
You can't wonder that | want it," /
exclaimed. ia give anything for"
well you can take it, if you'll give
me your word to destroy the that other
thing said she, in not unfriendly
voice.
| promised, and She graciously helped
me to extract the Photograph from the
album. | buttoned it safely over my
heart in my pocket, but Miss Moreton
having completed the bargain, of course,
took no more interest in the matter. She
was gazing down the room at some one
else. But Il thought occurred to her.
You haven't shown that-that absurd
snapshot to any one?" she asked anx-
iously.
"Oh, no. / said; 1--WE never printed it,
OH" she said; but you said"
'Wcll, you see, | could make out some
| patches and foot, but i broke it. I'M
fortunately, as | was developing it."
Miss Moreton's mouth was firn. ''AIr.
Madison, give me back that photograph, 2
she demanded
But I'm going to finish the breakage, 9
l protested
Give it back to me at once" she in
sisted, advancing on me. j was driven
to bay. Besides, the rest of the room
might hear us.
IN give it back if you'll give me the
original" l said, boldly, but quite low.
Miss Moreton paused; she was taken
aback. Her face flushed warmly.
"I-you-oh!" she stammered Mr..
Mallisou!'
rs it bargain?" l asked, anxiously.
holding out the photograph toward her.
She hesitated, the pretty glow still on
her face, and she was not looking at me.
You are-oh, you are dreadful" she
said, with a tiny, troubled laugh But,
in that case, perhaps you had better keep
the photograph"
ION second thought, I'll take both" /
said.-H. b. Marriott Watson in The
| Sketch.