The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-11-11

Levitt to come down at once, and bring
| his visitor with him.
Presently Abram Levitt ushered an
elderly woman into the room. The man.
ager, notwithstanding fawning OBJ
sequiousness, was inwardly boiling with
| rage, while his companion was endeav-
oring to hide traces of recent tears.
| When Martha Maddocks had mastered
her emotion and looked squarely at Jas
per FinIay, it dawned upon her that she
was being viewed with every indication
of friendly solicitude. A puzzled express
sion got into her eyes. There was some
thing about his features and trick of
gesture that recalled to mind a happy
go-lucky whom she had once known
as the pride of country 1ectory, albeit
the terror of quiet and peaceable souls
who lived in it's vicinity. Upon the
screen of her mental vision there came
another slide depicting a heartbroken
girl, FASTENED under pressure into a love-
less marriage, while the happy go-lucky
boy, soured and disappointed, flung him
self off to the other side of the world
It was Jasper Finlay who broke the
silence.
'Have you borrowed money from this
MANI" he asked.
eyes, sir" she replied. II borrowed
it for-not myself, sir
elbow much is the debt?' interrupted
Finlay.
Give pounds. The principal is repaid,
but the interest-and the COSTS
care paid" interrupted Finlay with
a snarl that was not meant for the
| int ho
turning to Levitt. A curt nod dismissed
him from the office.
Finlay, with tangible directions, asked
Martha for some details of Mrs Jeffer-
sons position.
1t needed but few sentences to put
him in possession of all that he desired
to know. Belle Vallance's marriage was
the price she paid to save her fathers
financial honor, although he lived but a
few months to enjoy it. Four years of
uncongeniality and not a little absolute
unhappiness were glided by the creature
comforts which considerable wealth could
compass. Then Belle lost husband, for
tune, home. Three years struggle with
diversity had ended in the renting of a
little room high up in a sordid tenement.
Martha Maddocks, faithful old soul, had
watched over her mistress, doing any
mental work to keep the wolf from the
door; and now Levitt had threatened to
despoil them of everything that lay be-
tween them and beggary.
Jasper Finlay was silent as he lis
tened to the story
The child, who had not understood one
half of Martha's recital, nestled closer to
him.
Twenty minutes later the trio stepped
from taxicab at the door of Billington's
Rents. They climbed the rickety, i'll
lighted staircase. With little Belle in
his arms Finlay entered the room indi-
Gated by Martha, who tactfully remained
on the landing outside.
Half an hour elapsed before Jasper
Finlay made his temperance. One look
at his face told the woman that all was
well. Belle Jefferson's sorely beset craft
had passed out of the swirling, hateful
depths into the safe haven of strong
mans love.
Jasper bent his steps to the nearest
public telephone to ring up Townley
Seymour in announcement that he would
not put in even late appearance
"Shylock Junior has already seen
seen how the land lies,' he explained
II am renewing an eight -year-old bill"
he added with a happy chuckle. Ernest
Protheroe in London Saturday Journal