Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-03

ago WntH sue Hdu come TO MN III ner
widows weeds and begged him to make
a merchant of Archie. To go to her now
with such tale was a thought to shud-
der over. He could not-dare not do it!
It's the gallows you deserve, Moor
vale" he Missed.
The lad seemed to acquiesee- in ttl4is
sentiment by a nod.
But you viii send for her, sir?'' he
queried eagerly.
n isn't the sending. Don't you see,
you fool snapped Mr.. Sedgeley, chat
she must be prepared for such an inter
view, otherwise it might kill her out
right. You are, in effect, placing on my
shoulders the burden of the most hate
full duty my mind can conceive"
Just then tap came on the door, Mr..
Sedgeley composed his features by a
strong effort, Come in," he called, and
in moment his glance met the grave
salute of a big policeman, whose keen
eyes twinkled as they settled instructive
ly upon Moorvale.
BE this the prisoner, sir?" he asked
checrfuly.
Mr.. Sedgeley rose hurriedly and
grasped the constable's arm. "Er-come
inside, please" he said Then in rapid
whisper. THE matter requires some fur
Their investigation-or, rather, delay. Be
good enough to wait here until | return
An hour or so will do it. I'll make it
worth your while"
'Good morning, Mrs. Moorvale."
Mr.. Sedgeley stood with his hat in his
hand looking into the startled face of
soft featured, matrony woman. in
print frock and cooking apron. In the
midst of his misery he thrilled as he
realized how like she still was to the
Hetty of old; more mature, of nobler
figure. but none the less charming.
It's you, Mr. Sedgeley!" she said
with nervous little laugh. Il declare
you almost startled me. Come in, if you
please"
Erin afraid"
The hard hesitating constraint of his
tone caused her to glance at him in quick
anxiety. rs there anything wrong
Archie! Nothing is amiss with my bow ?"
she gasped.
"He is--er-er-well"
OF course, it would never have done to
blurt the thing out at once, at the door,
too. Still, Mr.. Sedgeley felt that he had
sunk perceptibly in his own good opinion.
He followed her in silence into the di-
minutive sitting room, steeling his heart
for the ordeal, while he noted with dull
stab of pain the proud poise of the yet
beautiful head. soon to be humbed to
the dust. She placeda chair for him.
You have caught me unawares," she
said smiling. Pm in the throes of pie
making for Archie's dinner. The dear
boy simply dotes on pie. But-but-"
The smile died from her face as she
glanced at him-"you look III, Mr.. Sedge-
ley" she said in quick concern.
Mr.. Sedgeley emitted something be-
tween snort and a groan. Il am per-
fectly well. / assure you, Mrs. Moor
vale" he said somewhat stifly. Then,
after a furtive attempt to clear his
throat of some obstruction, he contin-
ued: Doubtless you are wondering
what brought me well-er-I may
say I've come purposely to have talk
with you about-Archie.'
Again a flash OF rear came into the
mothers eyes, but in a moment they
We're glowing with pleasure. He had
already assured her that Archie was
we'll Therefore, she was to hear what
her loving heart had long expected
eulogy of him-a spoken tribute to his
business abilities from the lips of the
one man in the world whose good opin-
ion really mattered.
"Oh, Mr.. Sedgeley, / am so glad!" she
said
The wretched Sedgeley struggled to
speak In vain His face and forehead
had gone clammy, and he pulled forth
his handkerchief and wiped away the
moisture. In the act he discovered that
his hand was shaking violently
Il am very, very proud of my boy, Mr..
Sedgeley. He is such dear, thoughtful
lad l knew he would be sure to please
YOU"
Mr. Sedgeley strove with all his might
to command himself. His face expressed
nothing of the fierce struggle going on
within him between his sense of duty
and rank, despicable eowardice-was it
really so bad as that, though? At length
the sterner principle seemed to triumph,
and in gloomy desperation his eyes met
hers.
Does it never occur to you" he be-
gan doggedly after Il pause, that he
may-net be worthy Of"
Mr. Sedgeley!" The mothers eyes
were hard with resentment in mo-
ment. Archie is my only child He is
incapable of unworthiness in thought,
word, or deed!'
Her eyes met his appealingly, not
doubling that an immediate assurance
would be forthcoming. and Mr.. Sedge-
ley felt that it must be now or never.
Heaven help her!" he breathed, and
in flash he beheld a vision of himself
in the guise of hungry wolf in the act
of selling its helpless prey. An instant
later. utter loathing of himself and his
mission. found expression in a strained
laugh. Justice be hanged" he NUT
tered unsteadily.
what was that. Mr.. Sedgeley :"
queried Mrs. Moorvale.
II said-I said something queer, no
doubt I've been little worried this
morning" He rose from his chair,
took her hand, and bent over it rever-
entity. "Hetty, YOU are an angel" he
said huskily.
The widow gasped, and her face went
atiame a what =" she cried. Then she