Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-07-24
THE TENANT OF YEW TREES.

ihe village was agOS Iof lhIofndtlVh.
Women, having carefully omitted
items from their usual Saturday list Of
purchases. found occasion to drop in
again and again at the stores to hear
the lates3 rumors Down at the Kings
Arms. isql surmised ana coniectured
Neighh,ts hitherto at enmity became
amicable in order to exchange theories
over garden rails. And still nothing in
the way of reliable. authoritative infor-
nation was obtainable, and the post
mistress was forced to declare bitterly
that at last she was beaten.
The origin of all this mental activity
was to be found in Yew Trees, long
rambling cottage, which stood at the
crossroads outside the village. For years
Yew Trees had been without tenant,
its windows prey to small boys with
big stones
And then one day. to the surprise of
the village, painters and glaciers set the
old house in order, and van load of
furniture-good, responsibe-looking fur
niture, arrived at Yew Trees and was
duly inventoried by the onlookers as
each item was carried into the house
For week, Yew Trees stood awaiting
its tenants, and the curiosity of the vii
lage rose with each days delay.
At last stranger appeared and let
himself into Yew Trees with a KEY
Those of the villagers who had the good
fortune to witness his arrival reported
that he was a bearded man, moderately
good looking, though quite elderly. Fur
Their evidence, as given by Mrs Blogg,
stated that he was wearing a gold
watehchain, and that there were no nails
in the soles of his boots. Obviously, he
was a wealthy man.
Before another week was ont it was
known to all the village that William
Morby was a confessed woman hater
And so we come to the noteworthy
day when Laura Grant male the bet
Laura, after five years Of sedulous
walking out" had become engaged to
young Jim Bradford. In the far remote
future they hoped to marry. But Jim's
wages We're small. and wears would have
to e,apse before wedding bells would be
rung for Laura. N
1t CHANGED that Laura and Jim, with
three or four other young people, were
returning from Sunday afternoon
ramble. They had been through the
woods, and the girls bore great punches
of flowers in their hands
Presently they passed Yew Trees, and,
naturally, the besett;ng sin of William
Morby came up for mention
"A woman hater," said jim Can't
abear the sight of 'em. They dares'nt
60 near his place"
Il dare!" cried Laura valiantly.
She ran lightly up the path and
pushed open the front dor She lis
tened; not a sound was to be heard
Morby would be getting his tea in the
kitchen she thought She entered the
parloI and looked about her with Curl
osity.
Suddenly something made her turn
her head.
Morby was standing on the t'nuroid
of the room, watching her in silence.
Laura, her cheeks flushing scarlet,
gazed back at him in dire dismay.
Il don't understand he said gravely
what are you doing herA2"
''It--it was a bet" Laura confessed
shamefacedly.
"A bet ~
Yes. Folks say no woman dares 90
near your house, because be-
cause"
Because I'm what they call wom-
an-hater, Is that it,"
Laura nodded guiltily.
"And so you came here to show YOU
weren't afraid 2"
yes. And-and l was to put these
flowers in that vase to show I'd been
here, in this room. And--and I'm sorry
now that | came"
Flowers flowers in my house." he
murmured to himself "The only wom-
ans touch this house has ever known.
And vet -
He broke Off with sign. 1t seemed
to Laura, glancing timidly across at
him, that he was far older man than
she had hitherto thought him. But it
was not that age which comes of The
years alone, but the AGE which comes
of sorrow as well. Vaguely she felt
that there had been 5Nt little sport in
daring to visit this house.
I'm sorry now I cana she repeated,
moving toward the door.
He opened his lips to speak, then
changed his mind, and in cilence stood
by the door as she passed out of the
house. He was still gazing after her
when she glanced back from the garden
gate.
Nearly week passed before Laura
saw him again, and then. at the close
OF bright spring day, She saw him
standing by his garden rails. He looked
inetfably lonely, and some instinct Of
sympathy impelled her to speak to him.
Good evening, Mr.. Morhy"
He muttered reply and locked at
her a little uncertainty.
IL forgot to thank you for vour
flowers" he said awkwardly. They're
still fresh"
Pm glad. And, if you like. when
they're faded, could bring YOU some
more
AT last one afternoon he sent mes
sage to her, reminding her of her prom.
ise. With a feeling of appreh, nsion.
Laura set out for Yew Trees.
She found Morby waiting for her at
the garden gate. There was something
of anxiety in his face