The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-08-04
BY MARY wiNoRovE sATHoN.

Are you very busy. Wilson," The
question came from the editor OF the
Daily Courier, and as he spoke he
turned TO his assistant, seated at an
other desk In the same private Office.
Il am nearly through now" was the
reply. And a moment after George
Wilson lazily arose with the question:
What can / do for you. old man?"
Il want you TO look over this story.
think II might be used. with little
touching up. It's from woman. The
letter which accompanies II will i'm
press you at least. She states that
she and her child are In great need.
and begs for an immediate decision.
Evidently she has confidence In human
nature" He smiled sarcastically.
With a laugh at his chiefs dig at
his well known weakness and sympa-
thy for those In distress. Wilson took
the story and proceeded to read It..
In feS moments he was ready with
his decision.
Yes, we can use II if'-but as he
turned TO his friend, he hesitated.
Then he went to his side.
What is II, Morton? Can l do any
thing?" he asked, with friendly pres
sure OF his big hand on the dropping
shoulder blade beside him.
Nothing, George. 1t Is only the old
wound. | saw her yesterday. and 1t
has upset m eagain. that Is all"
Saw her." repeated Wilson. In won
dering establishment.
Yes. dressed In mourning and hold
H..
looking In a shop window filled with
soys, so that had time to observe her
closely. without being noticed myself.
she looked very pale an dthin. but the
boy was a beauty. His child. | sup
pose," he added. His face went white
as he spoke.
Don't, Ernest, Don't think OF her!
She Is not worth one throb of your
heart" And again George Wilson's
hand went to his friends shoulder
with close grip.
IL know. But she may be In need.
Wilson. You know. told you that
she has never touched the provision
| made for her. Somehow | thought
she looked very poor. although the
child was we'll cared for"
Even so. you have done ali that Is
possible for you to do under the cir
cumstances. Do not dwell upon the
matter or you will be unified for your
work.
True" And with sigh Ernest
Morton turned again to his desk. In
a few moments. in matter-of-fact
tone, obtained after much effort. Will
son made his previously attempted an
nouncement concerning the story un-
der consideration.
Send line. then. to the iady's ad-
dress in Brooklyn. will you. asking her
to call here? | shall be out of the
way about 2 o'clock tomorrow after
noon"
"Al right. old Slan," and Wilson, In
order to help his friend avoid contact
with the woman, accepted with his
usual good nature, task which had
more than once proved disagreeable.
He wrote to the address given, making
an appointment for the hour suggest
ed, and turned to the mass OF other
work which. In a newspaper Office. Ia
always pressing.
Absorbed In an important matter the
next day he failed to hear the first
timid rap which sounde don the inner
Office door. and not until second
and more emphatic one came, followed
by the turning Of the knob. was he
sufficiently aroused to look up. He
hastily sprang to his feet. as he saw
frail, understanding woman. holding
q little boys hand, and In her other
no NJ nj I'm
had gotten her past the door guard.
MRS. Thorne?" he inquired. tender
Ing chair.
Eyes. | am here In answer to your
note concerning my story" she re-
piled.
We'll, we will use the story II you
will consent to cut II In places"
"Oh, thank you! will do anything
you think necessary to 1t. | need the
money so badly" She gave a pa
thetic glance at the little fellow lean
Ing against her.
There was silence for moment.
Mrs. Thorne looked up to discover
that Wilson was closely escanning
her features. She flushed under his
persistent gaze. b.
Pardon me-" ne said. your face
Is strangely familiar to me. DO you
know my name. George Wilson,"
She flushed again. hesitated, and
was about to reply. when an exclama-
ton from the child startled both OF
them.
"Oh. mamma. see! There's papa's
picture!" And the little boy pointed
TO a photograph which hung on the
wall over Wilson's desk.
He looked from the picture to the
child, then to the mother In puzzled
amazement. She seemed about to
faint. and he brought her glass OF
water, which she drank. recovering
her composure.
Seeing that he looked at her en-
Mrs. Thorne remarked:
THAT picture Is strangely like the
one I have OF little Ernests father"
little Ernest by a gesture.
You are a widow. them" Wilson
asked.
II lost my husband before the birth
Of my little boy. He has. therefore.
never known a fathers love. and SO I
taught him to know and love his
fathers picture.
Wilson noticed her embarrassment.
He walked across the room, pretend
ing to look for something on his desk.
With bent brows he pondered some
question. muttering to himself the
while. Never saw his father-zname
to say the least. But
wait. I'll solve 1t YETI"
find. aegeirid
"Still you have not answered my
question as TO whether you recognized