Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-01-19
A SUCCESSFUL LIAR.

sician waved his hand. meaning any
where. So Wilson went into the orchard
REGION OF the southwest country, riding
an easy going horse that he might Toll
along the way and breathe the scent OF
the apple bloom.
Inquiry brought him to a restful place
among the hills. a small, homelike tav-
ern. an ancient house, moss covered on
the north side Here he sat down to rest
and it was restful-the soft air, the
mysterious woods, and a great spring OF
white water that burst with passion from
under a rock.
This was all charming enough, but to
one of Wilson's sensitiveness the people
were ANNOYING. The fewness of stran-
gers rendered the natives inquisitive, and
Immediately upon the arrival of visitor
they at once set about TO discover his
business and the source of his income.
Had this been done with bluntness it
would not have been so annoying to Will
son. He detested insinuation.
Shortly after his arrival he was sit
ting in the best ROOM" in the presence
of several local men, who hemmed and
hawed at him. and glanced at one an
other. Presently a tall, gaunt fellow,
with beard streaked with sunlight and
shadow looked up and said
Don't reckon it's much use to ask if
you are IA stranger in these here parts? ?"
Not mueh,' replied Wilson.
"NIout have come from putty good
distance?''
Yes"
'Well about how fur?'
"See that hill off yonder?"
Yes: it's plain enough"
"Well, | came from farther than that"
A silence fell, and the men smoked
their tobacco and spat into the great
fireplace and after time another one.
holding the importance of reserve force,
spoke up: II take it that you amt
farmer?"
Whatever you feel like taking, help
yourself" said Wilson, and the reserve
force cleared his throat. But he knew
the duties of his position, and was not
ready to retire.
'Of course said he, ut is necessary
or, leastwise, we think so-for a man to
have some sort of business Don't YOU
think so?"
Either that or he ought to be a pretty
skillful thief" said Wilson
Yes; that's what we think And YOU
have some sort of business, eh?"
Yes; a very fourishing business.
May l ask what it is?"
Certainly. | am-am travelling for a
factory that makes cork legs and arms
They smoked on, and glanced at one
another, and Wilson, looking round, saw
a girl standing near the door He had
caught sight of her once before, as she
swept like a vision from the dairy across
the yard She did not shrink as he
looked at her now; her brown eyes met
his, and he felt that his starving nerves
We're feasting as he gazed upon her.
And | reckon you have come here to
take orders said the reserve force.
Yes, that's my business"
The ren filed out, leaving Wilson
alone h the girl, who still stood near
the and when they were gone she
cam I'd timidly, but with sweep,
and + his elbow
M. father lives over on the HILL" she
said, and then halted to gaze into his
eyes de owns this place. but let's
mother and me run it, because he can't
get about very well, and don't want to
be in anybody's way. He lost a leg in
the army, and | want you to have him
one made and brought up here"
She was so earnest that Wilson had
not the heart to tell her that he was a
liar, that he had never seen a cork leo.
so he replied Yes. ] will go over and
see him-with YOU"
They wont nynr apJ 4,II-nJ x,.;.I a. -
old fellow, and while they were there.
up stumped the owner of an orchard
whose fruit brought a good income. and
said that he wanted a leo; and before
long a man named Hicks ordered n riobt
arm for himself and a left arm for his
brother. y regiment from this commun-
! ity had led one of the most despprot to
charges upon Butler during the Soutb
African war, and had returned-thosc
who returned at all-m a crippled con
dition.
Wilson had now gone too far 10 rc.
treat. ne gui got into a cart with him.
and drove him into another neiohbor.
mood where he took orders for six Ices
ana tour arms; and then drove down the
valley and took more orders.
And he found an interest in tbe ,,-a,l-
e~Nt''N '''iiN-7 aus tNtiNt4EiiGt would pb
NM but the sweetness of the girl's face
and the brightness Of her ewes mo6c
him forget his perfdy; and so the time
grew, like the mellowing of am annie
and at last he found that he must rcti,rn
to the great wilderness called a CITY, He
bid her goodbye, at night. the moon in
her eyes. and he kissed her. and. without
Ia word, fastened away, with a sweet
sadness in his heart.
The weeks passed, and he sat in nm
otliee-a miserable employment ohta;na gu
tor him 10y influential friends-an5 Iis
hands were al work; but his mind was in
Devon. and down in his heart he saw y
grl with the moon in her ewes. Bmt he
could not return TO the hillside had de-.
ceiVed those simple people. Was there no
way to put himself right?
lie sprong out OF his chair. Why
oouIan he execute those orders? There
must he 4 cork lp.e foax-,.,.