Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-01-08
HONoRS EASY.

They went on roped, Reeston still first.
1t seemed to Oakley at one time that
his companion was seized by a sort Of
mild convlIsion. 1t was as if he wished
to sneeze, yet could not. He had sew
eral such attacks.
Anything the matter, Sam?" Oakley
asked.
The other checked himself AMI looked
round with a smile.
Nothing, Old man-simply nothing,
To tell you the truth, | was laughing"
what about ?"
"Ah. that's where you're driving at
dead wall! | can't tell you, Dick. It's
impossible. The air in these high zones,
you know, does strange things with a
fellow. 1t makes some men sick. You're
not feeling anything OF it, | HOPPER
Oakev's face showed surprise, tinged
with Just little skepticism. As boy,
Reeston had had mysterious sides. As
man, Oakley had long learnt that there
were certain barriers about his chaTac-
ter which he could never get beyond.
They were picturesque barriers. Oakley
had often wished he could hedge him
self in with walls of like quality. They
themselves alone commanded respect.
There was no defining them, yet there
they were.
But this familiar use Of his name also
warmed Oakley like the sudden breath
of a fire. &C.
'Were you laughing, SAM he III ID
Certainly Why not Z"
''Oh. nothingl Only | could envy you.
/ haven't had good honest laugh since
-since-well, you can guess, can't your
All the smile left Reeston's lips and
eyes as he gazed at his friend.
Poor chap!" he murmured. "But
never mind One can't properly do two
things at the same time. Pm not going
to guess. Let's make another mile, then
wen refresh. l wish your father was
with us"
"Wish the bishop was here, SAINT
Why"
TO give us his blessing. old man
absoluton first and a blessing to crown
the feast like chartreuse. Come along!"
Much agi5ated, Oakley followed again.
OF course Reeston was only sarcastic;
but what a weird coincidence that he
should thus, even at hazard, seem to
divine what was in his mind! How en-
viably strong and self-restrained he was.
In this moment Of almost chiyalrous
admiration of the man he had wronged
so brutaIly. he could even find some
fault with Ruby herself. What was she
made OF that with such comparative
ease she could be persuaded to resign
Beeston for man like him? just one
weel, OF moderate anguish, and then she
was ripe for his wooing. Though they
had been brought up together from
childhood, Oakley was not prepared to
be welcomed with such ease as a substi-
tute for lover like Recston.
lie shivered a little as a deadly
thought obtruded itself
Ii Ruby was OF nature to absorb
caumny so readily, might not another
calumny wreck the married happiness
which he dared to hope for?
Was this the Nemesis that lay in wait
for him, one year, two, three, or ten
years hence?
What an awful thought
His feet were fast in this dreadful
vision when suddenly Reeston shouted
and sank a foot or so.
Quick! After met" he cried. and the
rope drew ont as he leaped
He landed ON firmer snow even as that
from which he spruuk slid under 0akeys
| boots. His nerves shattered in mo-
ment, Oakley made a wild attempt to fol-
low, jumped short and slipped with the
snow itself into a black abyss. And
there he hung
He fell a little lower, then a little
lower still. "Im going!" he groaned.
1t seemed n long time ere Reeston
gave him word of encouragement, and
then it came but family.
Don't wriggle, old chap Reeston
whispered The grip's none too good
up here I'm right on the edge myself.
Can You get any support for your feet ?"
In silence, with the very blood trem-
bling in his veins, Oakley put forth his
feet and touched polished ice.
Keep calm, Dick" Reeston said on.
Hang as light rs YOU can. l.. Oh,
tlear!"
Oakley saw the ice before him rise
about another foot, This was the meas
ure of his drop by the latest Jerk
"Nhack out a niche for Your fingers,
BE sharp!" Reeston commanded.
Il can't" said Oakley I've dropped
IT, And he ropes strangling mel Oh.
sam, do You think this is the end Of
buth of usG"
He could see his companions boots
above him. Staring at them, he saw
more of Beestou every moment.
And then Hood Of rcmorse swept
over him. as nc seemed to see more stin
that this WAS heavens chastiseruppt