Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-12-11
Thomas clenched his fists

Thomas clenched his fists.
There you are!" he whispered to him
self, with him again" Out loud he was
still valorous. What stuff. motherl. he
cried. Il reckon I'm not little nipper
to be talked to like that, for the maids
to hear and ALL
There was pause, and then the
words BLESS you, my boy!'' seemed to
ooze through the keyhole; after which
the steps Teceded again.
IN drown myself, that's what III
do" said Thomas, forcibly. 60 the now
clouded sky. He spoke and gIared as if
he detied the heavens to stop him. "She's
with him and means to spend her life
with him, and so she may
foot or so from the stacks corner
Thomas stood still and listened with
roughened hrows
His ears had not deceived him, like
Hannah May. 1t was her voice. She
was JUS round the stacks corner, with
Mr. Wisely, and Mr.. Wisely was talking
now.
You'll hear me out. first. You love
him; you have admitted it, and you'll be
lucky to get him for a husband. There.
Miss Mischievous, that's plain speaking,
and | don't mind if you try to box my
ears"
Il think you're horrid, Mr.. Wisby,o
said Hannah May Indignantly.
I'm trying to be, my dear girl. And
let me be still more horrid and tell you
this If you don't make it up with him
today, | shall split on you and tell him
what a naughty girl you are. to play
with his
Mr.. Wisely, you wouldn't?" she cried,
much louder than the rain.
Il would and will, as sure as | am
his fellowman. There, miss naughty
pretty face"
Then | shan't stay with you."
Thomas heard no more words: nor
were there more to hear. Agape and up
hcayed by emotions, he heard move.
ments instead, and in few seconds
from the tail of his right eye first, he
saw Hannah May trip toward the house.
She had gone round the other side of
the stack. Surprising, however, she had
chosen his side discovered him!
Suddenly a cry arose from the house
1t was Hannah May, in pain and woe
She rushed into the rick yard, followed
more heavily by Thomas father and
mother, beyond whom were the scared
faces of two of the maids
The rest happened rapidly.
With his last will ard testament in
her hand, Hannah May sped into the
yard, espied him, came at him as if he
were sonnet hing inevitable, and flung
her arms round his neck
ooh, Tom!'' she sobbed on his breast
Careless of the approaching others, he
Rugged Hannah May so that she cried
in new, but quite different pain, and
kissed her cheek again and again.
It's all right now" he told her, husk-
lily, with his great hands tight round
her I'D have done it, sure enough
before, but not now; my word, no, not
now!"
The others could see that it was all
right, and wisely withdrew in silence.
the mother last of all with backward
glances as if reluctant, in spite of such
soothing portents.
How could you be so silly?" asked
Hannah May, recovering from the first
Inconvenience of her embrace, yet with
ia tearshine in her pretty eyes
That's more than / can tell" said
Thomas, with pride for ten, ''but it's a
fact that I'd have done it,
He would have clasped her afresh, but
she resisted
Don't" she said, bewitching in her
anxiety, you hurt me, Tom, most aw-
fully. But we might go in and talk
sensibly, if you're sure you'll never get
such dreadful thoughts in your heart
again.
He assured her that he never would.
and then unwittinglJr paid her beau
tiful compliment
'There'll be no room in my heart for
anything but you, old DEAR" he said
Mr.. Wisely would have been almost
as gratified as Thomas by Hannah Nays
smile in acknowledgment of such quaint,
but genuine, homage. 1t proved her.
perhaps, an apt pupil to his wisdom;
true woman, moreover, variable as the
moon.
Then come along,' she cried brisklv.
And do take this horrid thing"
She was true woman again as she
dimpled at Thomas last will and tesla
ment, which had so lately stabbed her
with anguish
She led the way, with her pretty head
high. And Thomas, the suicide, followed
with the air of conqueror.- Charles