Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-09-25

gall and vinegar in his mouth and the
bread turned to ashes. So, silently and
sadly he folded himself up, as it were.
and slipped away.
| And when, at length, he sat down near
the hip-fap, the final blow came home
with a sickening thud lie put his hand
in his pocket and found that he had lost
the Niblett papers-contract, letters.
ieverythingl
! And SO, with unshed tears. Mr.. HEDGE
rose and walked towards the exit. His
way led him past Cartons stand once
more, and prudence warned him to keen
at a respectful distance.
But as he passed the attendant saw
him, and sprang out like lion after a
lamb Weakly, Hedge turned to flee.
No, you DON'T" said the attendant.
I've had enough trouble with you to-
Iday. Weren't you asking for someone
of the name of Niblettg''
YES, answered Hedge, eagerly. rs
lie here?''
No; but there's a lady who's been
here for the last half hour sobbing her
leyes out; says her nama's NibIett So
you'd better come and look into the mat
ter, and the sooner it's done with the
better | shall be p.eased''
With wondering JOY palpitating in his
bosom, he followed, and there. i'm the
Tiny Office, found a good looking woman
iif not, as the attendant expressed Il
'sobbing her eyes out" at any rate
Iperilously close TO tears.
Mr.. Niblett, is he here 2. asked Hedcc
eagerly, needless Of the lady's sorrow
full looks
No. was the mournful reply. u
was to have met him here at $50. but
was late, and / suppose that he's not
been here at ALL"
Perhaps he's over at our other stand
madame" suggested the attendant
softened by the sight of beauty in dis
tress; I'VE have another che right the
other side OF the exhibition
That's it. of course!" said Hedge
wondering why this brilliantly simple
fact had rot occurred to him before. Il
never thought there would be another
stand. Come along, we'll soon find
him; Pm sure he'll be there. / wonder
he doesn't look after you better" he
went on, with sudden wave of tender
ness at the thought that his trouble
might perhaps after all resolve itself to
vanishing point. But I'm sure you'd
like a coup of tea"
The lady gratefully declared that she
would, and Hedge quite enjoyed the
meal, and by the time they had reached
the stand at the other side of the exhi-
bition they were almost firm friends.
Pacing up and down outside Cartons
staEd was little, wIZened man, with
a full red beard and turned-up nose
1t was Mr.. Niblett
Mr.. Nibett's first impulse, on seeing
his niece, and understanding that
Hedge represented Bankes & Co., was
to burst forth into volcanic rage which
nearly scorehed the paint ON the show
case.
Now, you mustn't be angry, uncle,
said the lady. This gentleman tells
me he's had dreadful time hunting for
you, and it is all your fault for not
specifying which stand it was"
i don't know about that" grunted
the old gentleman, but now you're
here, we may as well get to business
Got that contract, because if so, wen
lstep into my friends Office here and
lsign it,"
NO. said Hedge, Il lost it while |
was looking for you, but I've got all
the details in my mind, and | can soon
fix it up"
They stepped into the little office OF
Carton & CO., to whom the old man
had given large order, and with his
keen business head, Hedge had no diff.
fculty in recollecting the details of the
contract.
"Take off another per cent" said
/ Niblett, "or else / won't sign"
Not bit of it, said Hedge, firmly.
thinking that as he'd gone through so
much unpleasantness he wouldn't mind
a little more That's the best we can
do, Mr.. Niblett, and ii you don't sign
now it'll be put up two and half per
cent for the next order You know
we're the only firm who can supply
you"
ooh, don't haggle, uncle,p said the
niece, impatiently. This gentlemans
behaved kindly to me, and it's all your
fault that he's had so much trouble'
Without another word the old man
took the pen and signed
Does Just what she likes with me,
does Adelaide" he grunted. "And now,
Iif you like, we'l have walk round,
and then Ill take you both to dinner
Il hope we shall meet again, Mr..
Hedge said Adelaide when they parted.
"Yes, come up and spend week
with us" grunted Niblett. "The week
after next"
/ Adelaide blushed and smiled
yes. do come. Mr. Hedge she said.
A contract has now been made be-
tween Miss Adelaide Niblett and Nor
man Hedge to meet at a certain church
at certain day early this autumn.
i We'll, mind you so to the right place
this time, said old Niblett, with grim
smile Frank Howell Evans in Cassell's
Saturday Journal.