Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-03

prove 1t, gasped Jess, stunned by this
IInlookd for accusation.
Just the same | hung my nine-pound
turkey in the shed last night, and this
morning there's nothing left but the nail.
and when Mother Carney tells us about
your nine pound turkey me and Molly
says together that that was our turkey
you was eookin', for where could you
get nine pound turkey?"
Mrs. Kelley paused moment for
breath, and jess opened her mouth to
speak, but the woman started again.
You sent that freckle-face, sorrel-
top brother of yourn over our back fence
last tight to get it. and if my name is
kelley-and I'm thinkin' it is-I'm go
ing to have that turkey" Crossing the
small room in the rear, followed by Mol
~, she opened the oven door and looked
into the yawning darkness.
"Os course, it's ours, ma ] can tell by
the neck. Don't you know how short pa
cut that turkeys neck off"
Fer once and all, will you give us
that turkey, or must l have the police
get it for me?" demanded Mrs. Kelley
Strengthening her eorpulent figure with
great effort.
Have the police, ina II. call Mr.. Nc
Cuilcy. He'll do anything ask him to-
said Molly, smirking at herself in the
giass.
At the mention of McCulley's name
Jess weakened, for he was the idol of all
the girls on the Chute. Jess felt that she
could bear almost anything rather than
have her poor turkey dragged forth,
shorn of all the possible dignity the dark
ness of the oven afforded It.
She wavered pitifully between confess
ing to Mrs. Kelley, and thereby to the
entire Chute. and the humiliation of TAX
ing Tom McCulley aside and parading
the queer-looking continuance before his
adorable blue eyes.
Before her most circumspect mind had
reached decision her impulsive lips burst
out angrily: go get your policeman.
Goodness knows, if he would pay any
'tention to you, Molly Kelley, I'd never
be speakin' to him again"
1t took Molly but few minutes to
find the officer, and on tnl way back to
disclose to him the cause of her seeking
him, blushing and ogling the while.
q suppose my daughter has been after
tellin' you of this disgracheful business?"
questioned the older woman as the pair
entered the door,
McCulley nodded gravely, and, noticing
jess, took off his helmet
''Well, then, officer, will you step in
and get my turkey from her oven?''
McCulley cleared his throat. IF Miss
Gardiner says it's your trukey it won't
be necessary for me to get it. You can
do so yourself, Mrs. Kelley"
"If she says it's mine!" screamed the
exasperated woman, bristling with
wrath. you're disgrache to the foorce,
Tom McCulley. Of course, she don't say
it's mine.''
'Shee says it's hers, but both me and
ma recognized it for ours from the first"
explained Molly in a wheedling tone,
awed by her mothers attack upon her
hearts desire.
McCulley looked at Jess sharply, and
flushing painfully under his direct glance,
she declared stoutly, "You know |
haven't get their old turkey"
IF / am not mistaken, think / know
this turkey. Excuse me, and I'll take
look at his lordship."
Jess turned dizzy with humiliation as
the officer opened the door of the oven,
looked in and closed it with his foot.
Mrs Kelley and Molly looked trium-
phantly from Jess to MeCulley, each
gloating over the positive abasement
that must befall Jess following the Off
GERS ultimatum.
Because | am an officer of tie law"
he began, drawing himself up with pride.
Il felt it my duty to look into thfe
oven"
Mrs Kelley nodded impatiently; the
why's and wherefores were of no concern
to her, but Molly smiled eomplacently,
her soto voce, Certainly" being dis
tinctly audible to Jess, who sat mute and
expressionless, too miserable even to con-
coct a possible or plausible escape from
the calamity which she felt was closing
around her.
"But. before | looked, / knew what |
should find" Jess started in amazement.
81 found the turkey that l gave Jess as
a little Thanksgiving present"
Molly inyoluntarily grasped the sides
of the chair.
s'The truth is, Jess and me are going
to be married. OF course, it amt gener
ally known, but | don't know how that
hindels me giving her Thanksgiving
turkey if ! want to-"
1t was Jess who grasped her chair now,
staring at McCulley in CONSERVATION, as
he stood twirling his stick arrogantly,
watching with supreme satisfaction the
dismay portrayed on the faces of the
mother and daughter.
MA, I'm feelin' that bad / can't wait
any longer. You just would drag me out
lookin' for that scattered Drained old tur-
key" walled Molly, holding her head in
her hands.
Mrs. Kelley summoned all her dormant
dignity and said: OF course, child, this
thing has just racked your delikit con-
stitooshion. You amt like some that
kin stand anything"
The Kelleys did not retreat gracefully,
as was evidenced by Mrs. Kelley's men
acing looks and the startling bang of the
door. as it closed behind them.
Jess, left alone with MeCulley, was
numb: the reaction had been too great.
In the flight from the depth of her de-
spair to the pinnacle of happiness his
words had brought her to, she had lost
her breath, and sat staring at him in
quiriugly, praying that he would speak