The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-03-07

her. She was so startled that she
came out from behind the screen, and
the men looked at her, and she looked
at Tom; and suddenly Tom leaped to
his feet and cried:
"Sheilai"
And added another. oath.
Sheila went up to Tom and the two
men withdrew hastily, for they did
not wish to intrude upon what was,
they suspected, some secret In their
leaders life. Sheila looked at Tom
very steadily, and then she began to
cry.
tom, Toni" she sobbed, drawing
close to him. Il couldn't wait any
longer. ! came. / wanted you so and
thought / would surprise you. Are
you not glad to see me, dear?"
Tom had been standing as though
petrifed. Now he found his tongue.
"She!la." he said hoarseiy. I've
been married eight years"
Sheila waited. Surely there. was
more to come. Surely this could not
be ali, the end, the absolute end Of
everything. Why, If that were SO she
would die Mo- What should she do,
though? What should she do? She
wanted to run away.
Tom was speaking and Sheila heard
his voice, but she did not see him be-
cause of the gathering clouds. She
caught to support herself at the edge
OF the screen.
II suppose I've given you pretty
raw deal, Kid" said Tom, but loved
you and love you stiil-only they
yoked me up with my woman one
night when / had been drinking and
didn't know what / was doing. l tell
you, kid, my life has been hell since
that day. And l couldn't give you
up, mavourneenI couldn't. Time and
again l thought, II Sheila won't give
me up I'll get a divorce and send for
her. But l was getting to be big
man in the district and divorce amt
allowed In our church, as you know,
my dear, and If I'd done 1t I'd have set
the priest against me, and then good
by to my power. So / just waited,
hoping the old woman would die or
something would turn up. But listen,
Sheila"-he had drawn closer to her
and she smelled whisky on his breath
TIN rich now and there amt no rea-
son Why you and me shouldn't come
to an understanding. We can fix It
some way 30 that It'll look respect
able, and that's all that counts. Give
me Kiss, kid, for l love you just the
same"
How she got out Of that room she
did not know. She remembered after
ward pushing the man from her and
feeling blindly for the door. Then
the screen fell as Tom tried to inter-
ceH her. and Sheila found the door
handle and tore herself from his grasp
upon her dress and ran. She heard
men shouting after her But she was
In the street now, and running as II
for dear life. and never looking back.
She ran with all her power. Men
turned to stare at the strange figure,
racing along Third avenue; somebody
| was chasing her again, too, for she
heard his footsteps following swiftly
Of the block and turned into broad
side street, and paused, painting. Then,
behind her, she heard those same
footsteps. Someone was calling her
name She fastened on again in ter
ror. 1t must be Tom, or one OF his
men. What would they do to her?
She saw a park in front of her now,
with leafy trees and a fountain play
| ing, and 1t seemed to be a haven OF
| refuge to her. She sank into seat
and hid her face in her hands. No one
molested her; the unfortunates upon
| the benches were immersed in their
own troubles. A passing policeman
saw the pretty girl who seemed to be
In distress and thought of speaking to
her But Just then he perceived his
roundsman in the distance and
Strengthened himself and passed on,
mentally resolved, however, to go back
| as soon as the roundsman passed
ing her heart out
A man was leaning over the back
of the seat "Sheila!" he whispered
She started round. 1t was Phil
Druce!
II a miracle had occurred she could
not have been more amazed. She
could not say a word. even when Phil
came and sat beside her and took one
of her small hands in his.
81 followed you, Sheila, DEAR" said
Phil. with the same considerate gen
tleness as ever in bis voice. You
wouldn't let me come-so / sailed on
the Trafalgar and arrived yesterday
and waited for you. l was In the
carriage behind you on the elevated
Sheila, dear. guessed it all. but
couldn't warn you because / couldn't
be sure-it was only clue had
So ! followed you to his office, and
when I saw you come out knew the
story was true. And l ran after you
but / couldn't catch you. you ran sc
fast Sheila, dear. I'm going to dc
two things. First I'm going back te
give Shane horsewhipping. and ther
I'm going to take you home"
mo. Phil, dear, don't touch him
Promise me! couldn't bear that he
should ever come into our lives again
Promise that you'll leave him alcne!'
IF you'll promise me something
Sheila." answered Phil. There's 8
boat leaving tomorrow, and there's
time to get married today and Their
we can spend our honeymoon or