Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-04-24
THROUGH THE NIGHT.


of the bridge. All around the silent
streets, the absence of life, the darkness,
accentuated more than illumined by the
even-spaced gas lamps, seemed to con-
vey the idea of a deserted city-as if
man, awed by the devastation he had
wrought on fair Natures face, had fled
from his grim handiwork. Like virgin
souls engulfed in mire OF sin the snow
flakes fell silently and vanished in the
grimy looking water that flowed sullen-
lenly underneath the bridge.
Il beg your pardon.
The lurch o. a heavy body against the
brooding man brought him back sharply
to the present. A belated traveller. the
sound of his footsteps deadened BY the
mantle Of snow which by this time HAD
turned sidewalk and roadway into one
level highway, had slipped on snow.
tipped heel and fallen against the loi-
terer ON the bridge The latter, so
brusquely aroused to time and place,
started at the sound of the other mans
voice, and peered, with set eyes, into his
face. The recognition was mutual
lionel"
Toni"
The tones of their voices differed; one
was of glad amazement, the other OF
bitter intensity.
My dear lad, who'd have thought of
meeting you here?"
Lionel held out his hand. but the prof
fered mark of friendship was unheeded.
With body erect and taut, in a voice
which blend of bitterness and anxiety
made to tremble, Tom asked:
did Won marry Miss Arlav -
Yes" returned the other.
Then l wish you much happiness
snapped out the angry Tom, and, turn
ing on his heel, strobe off, not noticing,
in his hot mood, that he was going in
the direction which Lionel had been pur-
suing.
For few moments the latter stood
looking at his brothers retreating fig
ure, then with smile of comprehension
he hurried after the wanderer.
Come along home with me, Tom. Let
us have talk about old times
DO you imagine | have any desire to
discuss the past? My father drove me
from his presence with bitter taunt.
You married the one girl"
Come now, old fellow, look here; let
us deal plainly with each other as man
to man. Nay, you shall hear me. Where
are you going to-? What are Won doing
nowg Down on your luck, ell ?"
What is that to you? / want no sym
pathy, not even justice, from any Of my
own kim"
He staggered and, but for his brothers
upholding arm, would have fallen.
STEADY, old chap we're nearly home.
You've been running yourself too fine.
Here we are!''
By this time they had reached a house
which stood. an oasis of home life,
amidst the desert of warehouses, print
ing offices, and the like The ponderous,
polished knocker, the wide steps, the
arched fanlight over the door, the solid
aspect of the building, told of a time
when merchants were content to live
amidst the scenes of their labors With
his left hand Lionel unlocked the door
and then supported and helped Tom up
the steps into the hall and caused him to
sit in chair. Quietly refastening The
front door, he turned into small room
on level with the hall After lighting
the gas he poked the fire, which had been
left burning for him, into blaze, placed
a small kettle on the fire. and returned
to Tom, who sat, white and tired, look
ing at (Hc poiVtdlt VI a. SSutlc-td1SO
lady hung opposite to him.
"Now, we're right" said Lionel. Come
in here, Tom"
He helped his brother to cosy arm
chair near the fire and busted himself
with setting out some bread and cold
meat, which was ready cut, from a cup
board, talking rapidly and vivaciously
all the while.
la
undisturbed. ] am hungry. Travelling
makes you so, doesn't it? Will you Join
me in little snack? Six o'clock in the
morning is funny time for a meal, but
believe in eating when you are hum
CRY. There, now You take the head of
the table, as BELTS you. Come-a toast!
You won't refuse that, win you? To
my wife!"
He held out his glass toward the por.
trait of lady which stood in the center
of the mantelpiece. With fierce eyes
Tom looked at the picture of a gentle
lady sitting enthroned as happy
mother, with her two children, one
standing by her side, the other nesting
in her arms
'That-7your wife!" said Tom Amaze
ment was followed by quick CLEAN of
nope. lou tolu me lhal you married
Miss Arley!"
so did" Lonel's eyes twinkled. "A
health! To my wifei"
"Your wife!s and wonderingly Tom
drank the toast. Lionel kept his brother
served with the simple meal, and under
the influence of his surroundings and the
badly needed stimulant and food, Tom
seemed to forget everything else but to
satisfy the craving of his hunger.
Lionel went to desk, unlocked it and
took out square, blue envelope, sealed
and addressed in d firm, clerky hand, to
"My Son Thomas" Handing it to Tom,
he said:
Now, I'll leave you for minute or
two while you read your epistle.
sha'n't' be long away"
Softly closing the door, he crept up
stairs, chuckling to himself at every
step.
What lark Poor old Toni"
Tom waited till his brother had closed