Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-04-09

You have asked me to marry you, and
| have given you my answer. You are
ON the point of losing your temper, and
have no wish to see how you look
when you are in a rage
Henry Bolam's countenance, even when
most amiabe, was hardly lovely to look
upon and Miss Holbrook's anxiety to
avoid behoding it when disfigured by
vexation was. therefore. quite natural
you'll have to hear the truth before
| clear out" he said, sayagely. DO you
think I've been hanging about at this
hotel for the last six weeks and spend
ing my hard-earned money just because
was in love with you? If so, you're
mistaken Your doll-like face means
nothing to me-nothing at ALL"
II can quite believe it" replied the girl,
calmly 'My bank balance has been the
attraction all along, l imagine"
Yes, you're right. | may as well be
candid for once, and tell you straight
that I've never been in love with any
woman and never shall be-
My sex would be treasured if they
knew it." replied Miss Holbrook, quietly
Don't sheer You may think this a
laughing matter, but you'll be sorry yet.
You led me on to fancy that you cared
for me, and now"
"Stop! 1 will not listen to another
word. 1t is altogether false to say that
| led you on. | allowed you to force
your attentions upon me, because there
was no way of evading them without
leaving the hotel But | never cared for
you. | am a judge of character, Mr..
Bolam, and | read yours the first time
l saw you. | know you to be cold
blooded fortune hunter. You are not the
first man belonging to that profession
who has tried to make me his wife.
know the breed only too well. And now,
please go, and never let me see your face
again"
During the next few days Henry Bo-
lam sulked aggressively, and told him
self that he was the most injured man
on earth He endeavored to think out
various schemes of vengeance upon Miss
Holbrook, but none of them seemed
feasible. At length, however. fate or
chance favored him, and he saw the OPP
portunity for his supreme revenge.
He CHANGED 70 be passing along Drury
Lane one night soon after II. On the
steps of building which bore the legend
Beds fourpence and sixpence," he behed
man clad in rags. The mans face
caused him to sway back with little
cry of amazement.
Heavens, what likeness" he NUT
| tered.
"And So" said the tramp, slowly, aft
er Mr.. Bolam had unfolded to him his
| plan, and he was calmly slipping Mr..
Bolam's whisky, you want me to rig
myself out in decent clothes and go down
to Bournemouth, where l am to make
| love to wealthy young lady under the
name of Denham Druce?"
That's the idea" assented Mr. Bolam.
"and you are the very man to play the
part to perfection. You have had an
Oxford education-so you tell me-and
you talk like a gentleman. A good suit
| of clothes and some patent leather boots
will complete the picture
The tramp seemed rather pleased at
| the prospect, and he nodded delightedly.
I've had some queer offers made to
me since | came down into the gutter
he said, but this is the queerest 1t has
the charm of novelty, and it sounds re-
munerative You may consider me com
pletely at your service"
| very well, them cried Mr.. Bolam.
eagerly. You shall go down to Bourne
mouth tomorrow morning and commence
your courtship. You will report to me
| from time to time how YOU are progress
ing, and when at length she accepts you,
as she is almost certain to do, you will
wire for me to come down TO Bourne
mouth"
| AM ho Mo
the following morning Mr.. Bolam met
his accompliee by appointment, saw him
provided with ''vo suits of clothes and
other necessari
He saw the man off by the 1910 train
to the Hampshire town, and then waited
impatiently for his first report 1t came
two days later. in the shape of note
which bore neither date nor signature
but simply said:
Have secured seat at the table dhote
near Miss II. and have already broken
the ice. She seems delighted at making
my acquaintance. We have done moth
ing but discuss my supposed novels, and.
as | happen to have read most of them
at free libraries, my task has been com.
Iparatively easy. win report further
progress later"
During the sixth week that followed
the beginning of the scheme, the reports
suddenly ceased. MIR Bolam began 10
feel uneasy. Why did not the tramp
write! What had happened? After bot
Ting up his fears for two DAYS, he went
to the telegraph Office in Covent Garden
and wired as follows:
TO Druce, Hotel Nentnor. Bourne
mouth; Why the deuce don't YOU write
-Bolam"
The message sped over the wires. but
three hours later it was returned ia Mr..
Bolam's chambers. bearing these words .
"Addressee gone"
Mr.. Bolam leaped from his chair. The
news of the tramp's sudden and mys.
terious departure filled him with dismay.
The express which conveyed Mr.. 10.
lam to the coast was the quickest on the
London & Southwestern railways service.
but to Mr.. Bolam it appeared slower
than a horse omnibus When. at length.