Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1910-03-18
THE PRICE OF SILENCE.

| w Ildb NOuIc - uiitiGs IAlShoAA3 AN
soIiloq,Gzed; equally. what's mine is
my owps | viii find you, my merry bird,
and then wen start the shareout.'
First he inquired at Gameson &
White'sy where Field had been chief
bookkeeper. lie called when there was
only one clerk on duty.
"Oh him." said the clerk. che left
here when he got married Lemme see,
that was nearly two years ago. She
had pots of money. thousands a year
I've heard They live down in Surrey
somewhere, some hall or other, near
Reigate-"
At Reigate he learned that Richard
Field lived at Brunsleigh hall, mile
or two on, past the church, just to the
fright, then third to the left.
He had come to the house, modern
building of simple and unpretentions
appearance. He glanced up and saw at
a window Richard Field himself, hand
some as ever, but suddenly white and
CHASTITY at sight of him.
He had no need to ring or knock. 1t
took him a moment to find the main
entrance--he had Numbered around to
the back by mistake-and when he did
so Field was waiting at the door for
him
Don't talk here" said Field nervous
| ly. ''We may be heard. Come into my
study"
"Snug!" said Conway.
! "Yes. yes" assented his host, but /
wouldn't go by appearances"
81 go by the feel of things replied
Conway, rubbing the heavy plush of
his chair, "and the hall mark" raising
the silver inkstand. but that's neither
here nor there, Richard. Haven't you
got cigar or a glass of something to
offer an old friend"
'I'm afraid my wife would not allow
me to offer you-"
BLOW your WIFE
Richard Field started to his feet and
/ threw an anxious look at the door, as if
! fearing the words might be heard.
/ And he turned around and stared at
the door again. his face gradually as
Stunning look of relief.
Shem Conway stared at him.
At this moment the door swung open
and a young lady of remarkable beauty
entered the room She carried herself in
II IIdUitE THAT WIS NlSIlutu W bfiC MAT
gin of pomposity. Her face was cold
and scornful. anG she had way of look
ing at things as if they were beneath
her notice
Richard" she said, ''who is this yul-
gar man? Show him out, and when
you have washed your hands, come to
me-"
But, my dear! He has come to see
al, bires MT I'd
Il see! One of your city friends.
Then all / ask is that you watch the
lsilver. A fellow clerk, ! suppose?"
my dear"
But the woman had tossed her head
in the air and swept out Of the room
My eye!" said Conway. when she
was gone THAT your wife?"
Please, don't discuss the subject"
oh very well,' replied Conway.
That's none of my business. I've got
other fish to fry. Now | suppose you
didn't expect to see me-
Il read your time was up
"Ha! You did" assented Conway
, grimly; land now we'll come to orr lit
lie arrangement You remember our
old terms--halves, or ] split. Pm think
ing that will pan out better than IS bob
, a week now. Eh?"
How"
, Conway waved his hand around the
richly furnished room.
but what's hers ia yours, and what S
, yours is mine
But Field shook his head
you don't know my wife" he said
i"Why, | keep an expense book and enter
d every penny, sud she sees it every week
: and initials it, Here, I'll show"
: But Shem Conway shook his head.
n Don't trouble, Richard" he said. I've
\ got little book. It's in my pocket
now, and between the pages is your con,
fession. You remember when you and
We're clerks together in Jameson 4
Whites. and you stole G10O-
= Il never stole it. lost it, 1t was
o snatched from mel"
:. Never mind! Your confession saws
# You altered the books. and you admit il
: wasn't in the safe that night the pIac,
S was burgled. Lucky thing for you that
; burglary. II hadn't known. that woult
! have covered you
;. but, Conway"
Il Don't but me. I'm not a hard man
d and if you treat me fair, I'll treat yo,
y fair. I'm going TO do the decent. I'm
L going to let you off for $1,000 a wear
e $3.50 every quarter"
. Il can't! Here's my private expendi
:. T. ture book You see every penny"
Y "Oh!' said Conway. You take tina,
4 line, do you. Very well I'll split. "a
thereln
But Field gave no sign OF alarm.
"Tll split" repeated Conway.
Very we'll"
a "YouH 30 10 prison
L 'There are things worse than prison
. repeated Field.
> just then the curtains over a secon,
!. door were thrust aside. and Mrs. F5eI,
le entered. her eyes blazing.
d Il have heard every world" she cried
is My dear" began Field.
T; But the lady went on remorselessIv
!. II have heard every word. I kneu
/ there was some villanous secret in yow
A. life that You shared with some low com
pauion. Now can I free myself Of m,