Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-09
The Red Mouse
A Story Of Love, Jealousy and Politics
By WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

uRnt, ana that seemed 1ully as lnCongruous
to its surroundings as was the woman her
SELF there was nothing In its furnishings
to remind one Of former prosperity. In
far corner Of the adjoining room was a
stove on which a frugal meal was cooking,
sending Its odor throughout the small apart
ment---a meal that In former days she
would not have thought possible even for
her servants. At the window of this room
which was bedroom and living room COM
bined-upon a small table was a typewriter,
before which sat Miriam Challoner. clad In
a somber dress that was almost nunlike in
It's severity She was pale. and on her face
was the look Of q woman acquainted with
grief.
She read as she wrote:
"Now this indenture witnesseth--comma
that the said party of the first part
comma-for the better securing the pay
ment OF tho said sum of money mentioned
In tho condition of the said bond or obliga-
tion-comma-with interest thereon-com-
ma--according to the true intent and mean
Ing thereof-semicolon-a also for and In
consideration Of the sum Of one dollar
comma--to him in hand well and duly
paid"
Suddenly she halted ana fingered the copy
lying on the table at her right
Twenty more pages--I can't do them
now" she muttered half aloud. and,
crossing the room unsteadily, threw herself
upon the bed-a cheap bed that groaned
and creaked as IL It felt her weight upon It.
tired-I'm so tired" she moaned
as she lay there supinely for some time.
All OF a sudden she sat bolt upright in
bed for the sound OF timid knock on the
door had reached her ears; but thinking
perhaps that she had been dreaming, she
waited until the knock was repeated, and
only then did she cry out:
well? What is TT"
There was no answer. A moment more,
and she was at the door confronting n man
and woman. both gayly caparisoned
| They stood hand In hand. sheepishly
smilingly the woman looking more like
| some guilty child who was being brought
| to task by an overindulgent parent For
| q brief second that seemed interminably
| long to Mrs Challoner waiting for them to
speak. they stood thus and It was not
| until they called her name that she recog-
| nized them.
Mrs. Challoner-we thought" they
| stammered in chorus
"Why, It's Stevens" Mrs. Challoner
| broke in, at last. "and you too. Foster %
| And the color instantly went flying from
| her lips to her cheeks.
| "Yes, maam," again came in chorus from
| Stevens and Foster. lately butler and lady's
| hand.
| "Oh, Mrs. Challoner," then spoke ur
Foster, what do you think? We've gone
| and got married" !"
Married? Foster! Stevens why, yes
Of course: you do look like bride ant
| groom" said Mrs. Challoner. her heart fol
the moment sinking at all this happiness
and then, Come In and do tell me all about
| It."
| Mrs Challoner," quickly put in Stevens
as they came into the rooms, "she pesteret
me til had 10 marry her-there was nc
| getting rid of her"
A faint smile crossed Miram's face, and
| soon she found herself entering into th'
happiness of this couple, just as she woult
have done in the old days; and so we'll die
| they succeed in making her forget hel
| present position that she was actually try
| ing 10 determine what would be mos
| appropriate and, at the same time q mos
| pleasing gift to them. Absorbed, therefore
| In her laudable perplexitles, 1t was quite
| long time before she fully realized tha
| there were but two chairs. n fact which
had not escaped the eyes OF these well
| trained servants, who still remained stand
| ing In the center of the room and when, a
| last the truth dawned upon her, II was will
the greatest difficulty that she kept bacl
| the tears, as half-coaxingly, half-authori
tatively she prevailed upon the terribly en-
| barrassed pair to occupy them while sh,
seated herself on the edge OF the bed
| YES ma'am," resumed Foster deter
mined to tell all there was to tell, 'ther,
were about six men that I could have mar
| ried as we'll as not--not like Stevens. bu
big, fine-looking men. every one Of them
But Stevens here got In such a way abou
It that | felt sorry for him and ] CAV,
them all the go-by for him. But there
one thing certain" she concluded with
sigh, II didn't marry for good looks no
for money either, for that matter"
you married for love, Foster and tina
is so much better" commented Mrs
Challoner, reveling In their Joy.
II dare say" conceded Foster. that II
come TO love him In time.
Eyes, ma'am." put In Stevens. eager I,
get in a word. "she bothered me until
finally succumbed. though my tastes were
we'll, ma'am, must admit that like en
a little plumper."
To Miriam Challoner II was indeed
treat 10 hear their good-natured banter
presently she asked with interest:
'What are you doing now. Stevensr'
.Hs's . shofsr. ma'am." spoke up Fcsts
s "a whstT' Inquired Mp challonee
4 81 eAN ahof11n rnaso1o,r "A corr@gl 44oX