Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1916-11-17

I hear that you are one of the Oldest
patrons of the house."
THANK you-thank you r. said John.
completely embarrassed. a'Yes. in
deed !-ha, ha. Oh, yes-yes-reaIly.
we must be quite old friends, assure
you, Mrs.-Mrs.-"
Mrs. Miller" smilingly prompted
the little woman.
"Yes, ah, yes-Mrs. Miller. Lovely
morning, Mrs. Miller" said John. edg-
ing past her and backing toward his
room.
But as Mrs. Miller was laughing out
right, for some mysterious reason. and
gave no affirmation in response to his
proposition as to the quality of the
weather, John, utterly abashed and
nonplused, darted into his room and
closed the door. "Deucedly extraordi-
nary womanl" he thought; ''wonder
what's her idea ~
He remained locked in his room till
the dinner hour sAnd, when he prompt
ly emerged for that occasion, there
was a noticeable improvement in his
personal appearance, il point of dress,
at least though there still fingered
| about his smoothly shaven features a
certain haggard, care-worn, anxious
look that would not out.
Next his own at the table he found
chair tilted forward, as though in
reservation for some honored guest.
What did it mean? Oh, he remem-
bered now. Told the boy to tell his
| mother he would have friend to dine
with him. Bertrand, blast the fell
low was, doubtless, dining then with
q far-preferable companion-his wife
lin palace car on the P, G. & st. L.,
hundred miles away. The thought
was maddening. OF course, now, the
iandlady would have material for a
new assault. And how could he avert
it? A despairing film blurred his sight
| for the moment-then the eyes flashed
daringly. II will meet it like a man ="
he said, mentally-"yea, like q states
Attorney will invite it'll Let her do
her worSt!''
He called a servant, giving some
message in an undertone.
Eyes, sir" said the agreeable serv-
ant; I'm go. right away, sir" and left
| the room.
Five minutes elapsed, and then q
voice at his shoulder startled him:
did you send for me, Mr.. McKin-
ney? What Is it can do?"
"You are very kind, Mrs.-Mrs.-"
"Mrs. Miller" said the lady, with
a smile that he remembered.
Nov, please spare me even the
mildest of rebukeS. I deserve your
censure, but can't stand it, can't
positively" and there was a pleading
look in Johns lifted eyes that changed
the little woman's smile to an express
sion of real solicitude. II have sent
for you," continued John, ito ask of
you three great favors. Please be
seated while l enumerate them. First
i want you to forgive and forget that
ill-natured, uncalled-for grumbling of
mine this morning when you awakened
me-"
why, certainly" said the landlady,
again smiling, though quite seriously.
Il thank you," said John with Dig
nifty. and second" he continued
Il want your assurance that my ex-
IRENE confusion and awkwardness on
the occasion of our meeting later were
rightly interpreted"
notwithstanding" said the land
lady with the kindliest sympathy.
Il ara grateful-utterly," said John,
with newer dignity. "And then" he
went on-'after informing you that it
is impossible for the best friend have
in the world to be with me at this
hour, as intended, want you to do
NE the very great honor of dining with
me. VIII your"
"Why certainly" said the charming
little landlady-"and thousand
thanks besides! But tell me some
thing of your friend" she continued,
as they were being served. "What
is he like-and what is his name
and where is he?"
"Well," said John warily "-he's like
all young fellows of his age. He's
quite young. you know-not over
thirty, should say-a mere boy, in
fact, but clever-talented-v
Unmarried, Of course" said the
chatty little woman.
"Oh, yes" said John, in a matter-of-
course tone-but he caught himself abb
ruptly-then stared intently at his
napkin-glanced evasively at the side
face of his questioner, and said-"Oh,
yesI Yes, indeed! He's unmarried
old bachelor like myself, you know.
Hal Hal -
$50 he's not like the young man
here that distinguished himself last
night?" said the little woman archly.
The fork in Johns hand, half-lifted