Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-09-02

1t happened thal was starting on the
following morning for a fortnight's visit
ia a cousin, and ! heard nothing more of
Inc little bootmaker or his project until
the day of its clos, when my hostess
looked across the breakfast table from
4 letter in her hand.
It's from your respected Wears wife,
Mary, and there's a message for you
One Thomas Migg is
"Go;ng to be married." | said.
"Oh. YOU knew? But she says. Tell
Mary Thomas Migg has astounded us
all by proposing to little Martha Mayne
at the Red Lion. He seems
"Whaty7 l shouted.
oddly depressed poor little man. and
The two Juliets to whom we had appor-
tionc1 him are frankly furious. Martha
Is cheerfulness itself. but | can't help
thinking there Is something at the
what on earths the matter, Mary?'
"Oh!' | gasped. Il believe it's my
doing-my mistaken"
kDew-knew of surety! OF course.
when Thomas Mi9g had sought my serv-
ices, and it came to me with a flash of
intuition more convincing than any di-
rect information that in hu1riedly manip-
ulating our joint correspondence when
leaving him | had put her letter and
Martha Cowperthwaite's into each others
envelopes! And Mr.. Migg, with his I'M
failing horror of making himself ridicu-
lous. and possibly some slight awe for
me and consideration for my feelings
to say nothing of Martha Maynes-was
keeping silence and allowing himself to
b. engaged to a pretty slip of a girl
who had evidently jumped at her first
chance of a husband!
/ taltered out my story and my cousin
laughed till the tears ran down her
checks.
There's nothing fcv it but owning up"
she said.
Il suppose not / agreed miserably.
And before starting for Great Hale again
indited a note to Mr.. Migg, asking him
to make it convenient to call upon me
during the following evening, though |
felt rather as though l should have
sought his shop on my kneesi
1t did aot reassure me when the ap-
pointed hour arrived to note that new
and depressed Thomas Migg stood before
me, a man who cast nervous glances any
where but in my direction. and whose
fingers strayed rcstlessly round his hat
brim.
Mr. Migg," l began, neryously 81
don't know what to say to youl Sit
down, please!'
I'D as lief stand, num- he said. shift
Ing his weight from enc leg to the other.
you've card. then?''
Only yesterday. Why didn't YOU
manage somehow to let me know at the
time -
Il dursen't," muttered Mr.. Migg, to
the carpet, AN that's fact"
Am | such terrible persona l said.
miserably. Don't you see how much
easier it would have made things if you'd
spoken out at once? Do you think you're
behaving fairly to Martha Mayne?''
She's that light 'earted." began Mr..
Migg, depreeatingly, AN 'cr fathers
boy again!"
groaned inwardly. Should | ever hold
.nb my head in Great Hale AGAIN..
That doesn't alter the fact that you're
doing very wrong thing | said Then
it occurred to me that | was somewhat
reversing our positions.
Its done, any'ow, an too late to be
altered" said Mr.. Migg, with a touch of
spirit.
Mr.. -iigg, it's not too late!'' 1 said
earnestly. Pm very sorry-more sorry
than | can say I'll go to Martha my
self. I'll do anything you wish. Fll-"
hope in Mr.. Migg's eye.
is that a fact mum ?" he interrupted
eagerly. "Then-then don't do nothin'!''
"What?" / CALCULATED.
Don't do nothin' I'd deal sooner
things stayed as they was"
"You-you don't mean tt" l said, with
queer wave of relief.
Il do, num- said the accepted lover.
with growing confidence II seed it in
fash, You can't compare neither of those
clatterin' forward women to my little
Martha! It's a wife | want, an not cnly
an 'ousekeeper-not but what she's got
an cad on er shoulders, too
And you'd really rather she never
knew" | said in bewilderment.
Il would. mum. I'm not goin to alter
fer anybody, an she might never think
the same of me. I've not 'ad a appy
moment while you've been away fer fear
of what you'd do when you 'eard-espe-
cially since it struck me sudden that it
might come out through Martha Cowper-
thwaite's 'avin' wrong letter.
On! / SAID, my letter was only to
ask Martha to meet me at the schools
tomorrow. She'd see nothing unusual
in that" | still felt in a whir
Then you'll keep quiet?'' cried Mr.
Migg, ioyously
Tiff you're sure you wish it, fall
tered.
"Hooray!' said the bootmaker, she'd
ding his depression as it might have been
a garment. Beg pardon, mum Good
evenin' an thank YOU"
He wrung my hand forcibly and made
for the hall. | followed as one in
dream. As l held the front door open
for him he paused
Mum" he said, I'D like YOU to know
as I've never done anythin of the sort
before. It was just with your givin me
both letters to post an leavin' mine fer
me to stick down. an the other Nartha's