Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-10-22

as protective caress, although other
wise his tense rightly almost frightened
her. She fingered an object on a thin
gold chain around her neck
Finlay looked down. With almost
trembling hesitation his fingers sought
the little loeket and pressed the spring
From its recesses there smiled his own
face. just as little Belle inclined her
head and put her sweet little lips to the
presentment of himself
That's Jasper" she announced.
Mummy kisses it. too. I've seen her
when she thought | was asleep. He's
lost, you know, but some day, perhaps.
mummy viii find him again"
Boy" Finlay called out Tell Mr..
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 a fawning OBJ
sequlousness, was inwardly boiling with
rage, while his companion was endeav-
oring TO hide traces of recent tears.
When Martha Maddoeks had mastered
her emotion and looked squarely at Jas.
per Finlay, 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 a trick of
gesture that recalled to mind happy
go-lueky whom she had once known
as the pride of country rectory. albeit
the terror of quiet and peaceable souls
who lived in its vicinity. Upon the
screen of her mental vision there came
another slide depicting heartbroken
lsrir hoc ta a1
less marriage, while the happy go lucky
boy, soured and disappointed, flung him
seif off to the other side of the world
1t was Jasper Finlay who broke the
silence
Have you borrowed money from this
mani" he asked
Yes, sir" she replied Il borrowed
it for-not myself, sin
How much is the debt % interrupted
Finlay
Five pounds The principal is repaid
but the interest-and the costs
Are paid" interrupted Finlay with
snarl that was not meant for the
woman. Give her receipt" he said,
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
few months to enjoy it. Four years of
uncongeniality and not 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.
n Twenty minutes later the trio stepped
From a 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
we'll Belle Jefferson's sorely beset craft
had passed out of the swirling hateful
depths into the safe haven of a 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.
Il am renewing an eight year-od BILL"
he added with a happy chuckle.- Ernest
prothproe in London Saturday Iol,rnal