Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-04-08
RoNNIE's OTHER MOTHER.

/
lage again After ten years of white,
shimmering environments, of dirty ba-
zaars, and heat-filled, reeking streets,
the old cobbled thoroughfare, with its
placid houses and clean pavements, was
paradise to his mind.
/ For over an hour he wandered up and
down, stopping at every window. enjoy
ing everything. Oh, it was good to be
back home!
Gradually he began to leave the viii
lage, and found himself, at last, on the
main road A narrow lane, leading off
to the left, was entered, and presently
the soldier found himself approaching
small wooden bridge.
Suddenly he heard the sound of APP
preaching footsteps, and the lightness
of them tod him that it was woman
who was on the bridge.
The sun was beating on his face, and
he drew down his cap over his eyes be-
fore looking up
He recognized her at once.
| "Maryi" he muttered.
/ With an effort, he recovered command
of himself and came on towards the
bridge. Mary, after the first quick
glance, Lad turned her head backward.
"Ronnie -Ronnie Come along, dear!"
she called.
| A childish treble answered her:
Right, mummy; Use huwwying!"
| Frank crossed the bridge, swinging
his bag, his head turned slightly to one
side The boy and the woman drew
aside to let him pass,
Mummy" he was repeating over
and over to himself Her child"
He turned into the path, which ran
beside the brook, the tall willows hid
ing him from view. 1t was old habit
which guided him now A hot, binding
mist was in front of his eyes.
You're fool, Pritchard," he NUT
tered "a soft. laundering fool! OF
course she wouldn't wait for youl"
He laughed bitterly.
And she never even recognized me! +"
he thought. Il might have been a
tramp for all she knew. Well, that's
finished, my son. You-you can go back
to the army again. Frank. You're not
wanted in civilian life"
At the end of the path creaking,
weather-worn sign swinging above lew
doorway, told him that the Bull inn pro
vided good beds for travellers.
He turned into the sanded parlor, lay
ing down his heavy bag with sigh of
relief.
The man who came for his order was,
from his accent and general appearance,
a newcomer to the district. He eyed his
clean looking customer critically, as he
pumped the foaming brown ale into the
stone tankard.
II fancy you're a stranger about these
ere parts?" he said.
You're not far out" Pritchard re-
piled.
Il only took this pub five years age"
the landlord said. And as it takes a
bloomin' lifetime to git known, you
might say as 'ow I'm a stranger, too.
Oh, they're close lot about ere, | give
You my word"
You must be lonely!" the ex- sergeant
murmured.
Don stand 'ere" he said. Come
come into the front room. Well-we'n
have Il talk"
There was something pathetic as well
as humorous in the way in which the
lonely landlord led Pritchard into his
private sitting room, and deposited him
in Il cozy armchair opposite the window.
Politics lasted until tea was over, then
his host turned to the village for further
ma terial
/. He covered the village constable with
scorn, heaped mounds of abuse on the
postman. then mentioned a name which
brought Pritchard on the alert at once
"Deering?' he repeated. Il used
to know someone of that name"
Il don't suppose it was this family "
said the Ishmaelite bitterly. They're
a warm lot. they are! Would YOU be.
1 I
yards away from me for close on three
/ year, yet 'ayent as much as passed the
r time o day with me-"
5 But surely they know that you are
= here?"
The man moved his chair uueasily.
There was evidently something at the
! back of his mind.
well, we were rather friendlylike at
fust," he admitted.
Then he thrust out his chest. athwart
, which ponderous gold chain dangled
aggressively.
= "D'you think that l would make Il
decent husband for any decent girl2" he
continued, throwing himself back SO that
his listener might not miss any par
ticular good point about his personality
~ should think on would"
Then. why did She turn up er nose
{ az mel"
. "WhoF"
{ MARY Deering!"
o eWhatt"
e But I've 'ad my own back with EN-
l. all. mind YOU continued the innkeep
q er, bitterly. 1T cost me bit. but il
: was with it,"
Pritchord sat down in his chair asais
What did YOU dos' he asked.
"Bough; old behring's sou-in.law',
house. and then came down in i'm for