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

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She nodded.
But what can any one say about it?
have only been week or so in England,
and during the time / can assure you
that my ,circumspection has been in every
sense above reproach.
| Eyes, yes, | know all that. We are ut
cross purposes, perhaps. refer to your
debts"
"0h" said Colin, and his jaw fell She
had struck the weak spot in his armor.
you don't deny them2"
Not much use denying them" he an
swered, sorrowfully. Besides. it might
drive my creditors to extremes" he
added, whimsically.
you speak with levity that hurts
me, Colin"
Good lord, Molly, we are not dis
cussing religion"
Il am not so sure. We are discussing
what appears to be your religion-that
of leaving your just debts unpaid
But, my dear child" he protested,
this is absurd. Where is the man that
is without them?"
I'm moderation perhaps"
Moderation? And does any one dare
to suggest that mine are immoderate?'
Il do
ooh. | say; come now A few thou
sands would clear them all up"
why not clear them up then?'
"Because-oh well, because | haven't
got thousands enough"
But you might pay at least the most
| important ones. You have surely the
means of doing that. Really, Colin. it
hurts me to discuss such a subject with
you, but | do so because, knowing YOU
as | do. | feel that you do not realize
| the dishonesty of your behavior"
Dishonesty?
1T has never occurred to YOU that it
amounts to that, has it?''
Colin got up. He felt that she was
going rather too far
Lock here, Molly What on earth are
we talking about? am sure | didn't
come here to discuss my debts"
Il am quite sure you didn't. It's
subject you avoid discussing. or even
thinking about, | know. But it seemed
to me that after what you said last
night, had right to go into it. People
are talking about it. Colin. and, even if
they We're not, l could never consent to
listen to the advances OF a man who
deliberately refuses to pay what he
owes
"But l don't deliberately refuse. On
the contrary, [ intend to pay"
"Ycu intend! If you intended any.
thing Of the sort, you would make a be-
ginning But there, Colin, you know my
feelings now, and until you make an at
tempt 10 mend your ways you need not
come near ire"
Colin stood looking at her a moment
rather sheepishly. Then he dropped back
into his char
My debts" said he, deliberately, "are
very much overrated. no doubt, by those
people who do me the honor to discuss
my affairs. | have really only one for
midable debt. The others amount TO.
perhaps, thousand or so in all. I'll
settle those tomorrow. and clear up the
other one-the big one-as soon as / can
comfortably manage it, viii that con-
vince you Of my good intentions ?"
How much does the big one amount
tor she asked, implacably.
About G6000"
Heavens, Colin, how did you contrive
lit?"
We'll. You see. they were my fathers
solicitors, and they advanced me money
about fl0,000-on stock that | in
| hertcd, and which | was holding for a
rise. | was unlucky and. instead of the
| expected rise, there was a most awful
slump, which left me debtor to the
tune of about 10000 to Wilfrid & Lang
dale. Sheer i'll luck, Molly
And You wish to leave such debt
4 debt of honor, practically-to be paid
when you can comfortably manage it?
| Colin. | am ashamed of YOU"
But what am | to do? If ! were to
scrape together all the ready money can
lay Lends on | might just manage to pay
| it
Then | think you should do so with
out moments hesitation. 1t is sa-
cred duty"
Colin hung his head, realizing that she
was quite right. 1t was sad rejection.
He raised his eyes, and they met hers.
She smiled, and he told himself that.
after all, she was very beautiful. To
win hcr-even the effort. the sacrifice. she
demanded would not be too much.
Molly" he cried. FOR your sake.
Will do it, however it may Inconvenience
re. But when it is DONE
I'VE will talk about that afterward, :"
said she
In this manner was the metamorphosis
of Colin effected. and thus was he pre-,
vailed upon 70 liquidate the heaviest por-
tl,n OF his liabilities. and abandon the
careless ways he had trodden.
tie posted check to Wilfrid & Lang
dale, and two days later he called upon
Mary Eacott with the receipt in his
pocket, and fever of anticipation in his
soul which he mistook for the glow of
pride which is said to result from the
performance of ones duty.
She received him with, metaphorically
and. alas, only metaphorically
Iams
My dear Colin, you have behaved
nobly, she cried, and l shall always
dwell with pride upon the thought that
| was Instrumental in recalling YOU to a
sense of your duty"
| Colin looked askance.
You know that | have maid Wilfrid