Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-03
Mr.. SEDGELEY'S ORDEAL.

Joseph Sedgeley's manner was cold
naughty, impressive. People regarded
him as the personification of stern, up
right-if somewhat pompous business
probity, and general opinion, which has
an unhappy knack of finding itself falsi-
fed sooner or later, was not far wrong
in his case. His honesty and his I'M
swerving sense of order and Justice were
his pride and if he ever was troubled with
emotional weakness of any sort he con
trived to hide it under a portentously
gave exterior.
just now, however, in the privacy of
his business sanctuary, face to face with
delinquent junior clerk, the mask was
raised; the serene brow was clouded, and
the Clear; honest eyes were stern and sor-
rowful "A terrible business! Dread.
full" he muttered gloomily.
The lad, pale-faced and frightened,
aimlessly scanning the floor, quailed Wis
IDLY, but said nothing.
There is only one redeeming feature
il The case" proceeded Mr. Sedgeley,
land shat IS your confession of the theft
in time to prevent a grave miscarriage
of justice IN regard to Higgins. But that
bclated impulse of manliness only
makes your crime appear the more pitt
full and inexplicabe."
He paused, cleared his throat sharply,
and resumed with gathering warmth,
BY heaven, Archie Moorvale, you have
willfully ruined yourself for life! Do
you understand what that means ?
Bad, but thousand times worse is the
fact that your mad act will kill your
poor mother as surely as though you had
stuck knife through her heart"
The lad emitted gasp, and WINGED
And you have placed meme, in the
most awkward predicament ever | was
in. But-iustice must, and shall, be
done, and Pll do it! What have you to
say for yourself before | call "a police
man?"
The lad shivered and glanced up wild
ly, but instantly bent his head again.
Nothing" he mumbled, 'except--except
that / was in desperate need of the
money"
"Humph! That goes without saying.
But what for? pay you a salary above
your deserts; quite enough to keep your
mother and yourself in comfort. Sure
ly," he demanded, sternly eager, 1T is
not that she has got into financial diff
culties?"
"Moorvale shook his head and groaned.
"She doesn't know" he said. Il wanted
it to pay-a debt of honor"
"A debt of humbug" cried Mr. Sedge-
ley in cold fury. "You-you young
imbecie! So it is your idea of honor to
stain your hands with crime in order to
pay a gambling debt. Taught Do you
forget what you promised me a month
ago when | taxed you with being seen III
doubtful company? | like you, Moor
vale. although | have no cause to love
Your rame. and if it hadn't been for my
= for the respect | bear your mother
~" He broke off abruptly and gave
his shoulders an impatient shake
Enough. You have broken the law
and outraged my trust, therefore you
must take the consequences"
He turned knob. The tinkle of a
bell was heard in the outer office. The
door was pushed open on the instant
and blank face with curiously expect.
ant ewes looked in. Tell Jones to fetch
constable" said Mr.. Sedgeley curtly.
A violent shudder shook Moorvale as
the head was withdrawn. Have mercy
sir" he gulped. pale to the lips
"Condone your crime, you mean," said
Mr. Sedgeley grimly. at is impossible
You have walked open-eyed into confiic;
with the law, and as well as you would
be guilty if ! hesitated one moment in
the execution of my clear duty as law
abiding citizen couldn't, and
shouldn't. have acted otherwise although
YOU had been my own son! 1t isn't my
paltry loss. Id cheerfully have given
| ten-a hunjred times as much to know
that you We're worthy of being the sor
of such mother!"
The lad covered his face with hi:
| hands and writhed helplessly. Mr.. Sedge
| lev's countenance had grown stolidly i'm
passive. but as he listened to the lad.
broken appeals and protestatious the
| twitching of his hands showed how deep
ny he was moved, Suddenly Moorvalt
came deiantly erect.
! II must see my mother" he said tense.
/ ". Il won't go until / see her.
Mr.. Sedgeley started. "Eh-what!" b,
stammered.
y want to-to-0h, Mr.. Sedgeley. vou
wGSS refuse me?"
Mr.. sedgeley fell back in his chaii
and glazed vacantly at Mooryale. Such
request was not. perhaps. unnatural
but not only did it clash with his idea:
of Justice in the abstract; it brought
home with stunning force the cruel fact
that Mrs. Moorvale had to be told by
someone. and if not by the culprit him
! self--whog
His heart sank like lead. He felt that
no refusal was possihle yet how was
the thing TO be dome? Wire for her
send messenger-go himself! He
elutched ut his hair and almost swore.
he had met Airs. Mooryale only once
since She was happy. winsome girl and