Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-05-02
Her Choice
BY VICTOR REDcLFFE

LhCAC was CiAA8L III bOOs LOT SnE
confronted Arthur Randall, a Ioutish
lad of fifteen, with blazing eyes.
flushed cheek and white, delicate
hands cIenched.
you great stupidi" she quavered.
look at my scarf, wringing wet
And-you coward When the plank
bent you thought only of yourself, snd
let go Of me and jumped for dry land.
and If hadn't been quick i'd nimble
would have gone into tie brook"
and Erma Bruce turned ner back
squarely upon the cu,prit
where you goingi" ne challenged.
II am going to walk to the old
bridge. Catch me wanting your COM
pany or trusting to your care again |"
They were children Of wealthy par
ents, neighbors, and until Arthur had
got into domineering ways, had been
close companions.
To get home from a ramble they
had evaded the bridges spanning two
brooks and trusted to a narrow plank
to help a short cut home. for Arthur
was disagreeable and Erma cross and
pettish.
"Hold oni" he objected. as she
started of. you promised a kiss If
got across that plank"
"Come and get It," flashed back
Erma. and as the callow youth APP
preached her hand described sharp.
circle He drew back with a NUT
ter Of rage, nursing his singing
cheek.
'If you're ever my wife. TIL make
you pay for thatl" he snarled.
IF l ever am. | deserve TO bet"
cried Erma disdainfully. She rounded
a clump of bushes and hesitated. An
other boy stood in her path. He was
totally unlike the dandified Arthur,
''only common boy" but she smiled
upon him.
'eYou look tired" said Waldron
Pearce. cts a good mile to the
bridge, and you save that by fording
the second brook. It's quite shallow
just now, and If you like I'll see that
you get across without spelling those
pretty slippers"
"How will your" catechlzed Erina.
"Tll carry you. Don't fear. I'll
not drop you nor leave you in mid
stream"
He was not of her set. His father
was only an ordinary millwright, but
Erma walked by his side hoping Shat
Arthur saw them. When they reached
the second brook he was stumbling
along behind them.
"If you please" spoke WalGron,
and he lifted Erna In his arms. She
did not demur except to tell him he
would wet his shoes and stockings, but
he only laughed at that and his color
ran high at the contact of those pref
ty arms clasping his neck, confiding-
ly. Then Erma thanked him as he
landed her high and dry beyond the
brook. And then mischieyous
twinkle came into her eyes as she saw
Arthur In full view watching them.
you may kiss me, you brave boy"
she spoke, in voice purposely
raised. II love brave boys. Good-by,
and thank you," and she darted home
wards with a hooking laugh. meant
for the discounted Arthur.
The slap Arthur soon forgot, for
he lacked sensitiveness and saw little
of Erma for four years.
His father had died and Arthur
was put in place as manager of his
business. AS to Waldron he was
shop foreman, earning liberal sal
airy. but not mingling muca socially.
One day Erma was driving her
limousine when 1t broke down direct
Iy in front of the Pearce home A
sight of the open door of rear struc-
ture used by Waldron as shop, In
fluenced her to hope that she might
command ready mechanical aid. She
left the machine and passed through
the yard She halted at the echo Of
familiar voices.
II will give you twenty thousand
dollars for your invention" sounded
the voice of Arthur. at Is indispens-
able to our plant and will take me
risk Of the continuance turning cut inn
practicable"
"Aiy price is one million dollars"
came the clear, incisive declaration
from Waldron. "As to its utility and
value, the best experts have passed
favorably upon those features"
"rll double my off ". them" spoke
Arthur. "and say, Pearce. you can't
deny that you have a sneaking fond
ness for Erma Brace. GoodI I'll
throw her into the bargain"
81 would give a world if 1t were
mine for one smile from the loveliest
woman / have ever met" said Wal
dron with deep emotion. "but must
resent your right to allude to her as
your especial property"
Erma drew back out of view as Ar
thur left tie shop. Waldron wondered
at her suffused face and gracious
manner as she asked him to examine
the automobile. Within a few min
utes he had adjusted the break He
thrilled with nlea Sure aS Ef-ma invitad