Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-11-03

| ANA D1ck she asked, In thin voice,
'our son Richard?"
| "He will be Legitimate. He cannot
succeed to the title or estates. But buck
up. If you've got to be plain Anne
| Waterston, I'll stay as l am. Tn very
comfortable, and therell be fine crop of
wheat this year"
The woman's face looked worn and old,
but her eyes flashed with the courage of
youth.
'You are a coward" she said harshly,
and walking across to the window, looked
down to the valley. In the distance she
saw the tall, 1.-THE figure of her son. Mrs.
| Naterston's voice was quite calm when
she had decided what to say to her hus-
band.
| I'VE must go to England" she said, as
| she resumed her seat. Richard must
not be robbed of his birthright."
| Eth, what queried her husband.
'What d'you mean? Dick has no rights"
He is my lawful son and you are my
lawful husband. in the sight of God and
man. Who's % know" she continued,
'that / am the sister of your dead wife? %
Several people know"
NO one knows about here" she per-
sisted. Very few know that you were
married before. One or two in the South
Islands know, per, APPS. We are not like
| ly to meet them in England. We won't
| talk in these parts about our good for
tune"
Peter knows, md he'll talk
Not if he's paid to be quiet" she said,
as she stitched the linen with steady
| fingers.
Her husband looked at her in amaze
ment.
Anne" he shouted, you're mad. 1t
would be wicked and sinful"
1T would be right" she replied quietly.
"And I'll go to church without shame.
Laws amt everything, Hugh. Gods JUS
tice and truth are greater than laws.
| You are my husband and Richard is your
lawful son-to take your place when
you're dead"
IT'S madness, wicked madness. We
can stay here and draw all the money"
And Richard-when you're dead?"
| The door swung open and Richard
Waterston himself entered. He was
| tall, good looking young fellow of 10.
with brown honest face, clear gray
eyes and a rather determined mouth.
"There'il be money for us this year"
he said, grayely. "Old wilkins SAYS he's
wheat as ours"
Come here. Dick" caid Mrs. Water
ston, 'and don't talk about the crops that
you won't be h1-e to reap Your father
| is Earl of Crawcour, and YOU'RE can't
call your name to mind, but you'll find it
in the Stately Homes of England"
II.
| The funeral was over. Hugh Water
ston. tenth Earl of Crawcour, had been
laid in the family vault, and his son was
owner of the family estate for such time
as fate suffered the sword to dangle over
his head. Dick Waterston knew nothing
of the sword. But it was heavy and
sharp, suspended by thread twined in
the unsteady fingers of a drunkard.
| Three years had elapsed since the late
earl had succeeded to the Crawcour title
and estates. He had been cut off in the
prime of life, without any time for put
| ting his house in order. A fall at a stiff
fence and the brutal strength of a horses
hoof had struck him out of existence.
On a quiet deathbed he would have had
much to say to his son, but the words
were left unsaid.
The dinner at Waterston hall on the
day of the funeral was scarcely less mel
ancholy than the funeral itself. Dur
ing the dessert a footman entered with
a card, which e handed to Lord Craw-
cour.
Peter Corfeld," said the young man.
81 don't know him. Singularly dirty
card. Don't know him. Ask him to wait.
Mother, do you know Peter Corfield?"
Lady Crawcour laid down a peach
which she was trying to peel and dipped
her fingers in a bowl of rose water.
"Fll tell you, Dick, if you'll come and
sit down here by me. | can't shout
across the table"
Peter Corfield was by no means a safe
receptacle for any secret sof Importance.
His hard. brown face showed no traces
of drink, but the tremor of his hands,
and the uncertainty of his ideas and
movements, betrayed the one failing of
an otherwise genial nature On this oc
casion he was painfully sober and de-
pressed.
My father pad you f30O year, /
believe" said Lord Crawcour. lighting a
cigarette and offering one to his visitor
Eyes, mlord-thank you, m'lord, l
don't smoke.
"Who is the next her?''
There amt one, m'lord, so far as l
can find out"
Il see. Well, Mr.. Corfeld, I'll 90 on
paying you the f1oO year But you'll
have to give up the drink. 1t isn't safe"
"Oh, l amt one fc~ the public house,
m'lord. l drink my little drop quietly at
home l don't ask no friends in,
neither"
That's good. Well then, you'll get the
$500 as usual--till decide to chuck the
whole business. It's dishonest, you
know
"Chucll the whole business" gasped the
man. and your poor father, as good
man as ever breathed-'
ut was different for him. He was
entitled to the property. l am not"
Dishonest repeated the worthy
Peter. "Why. Milford Won ain't kpenin'