Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-02-27
FAIR AND FORTY
6y LILLIAN NJ. RICHARDS.
@ 1870, % sfccjare Newsps per Syndicate. }


newsboys are shouting extra" most
of the time. Myra Virgins sits at the
cashiers desk In one of those famous
restaurants with a buckwfpaat from.
For three years now she has sat in
the same window. Her eyes aud ears
are always open and nothing escapes
her notice.
Say. mister" leudly called Myra
one day to customer trying to sneak
out, pay your check here. please"
"Einh." growled the man. coming
back. think you're smart, don't Your
and slamming the money down on the
counter 4 suppose you thought was
trying to steal a feed"
Ny goodness. no." replied Myra.
smiingly. Guess you were suddenly
called to fire: but after this. when
in here. be sure and see me before you
leave"
We'll. IS that so" sneeringly. 81
suppose you're the one who runs this
place. or maybe YOU"
Just tnen her antagonizer felt
strong hand grab his collar and de-
nanti an apology. Without hesitating
the irritant murmured something about
Delng sorry, and slnnk ont of the door.
Myra's well-rounded face became as
red as roses when she looked up into
the set features Of big Jim Holland
Jim was travelling man. and every
time he came TO town 1t was not the
eats alone that brought him TO this
well-known restaurant. Myra Virgins
welcome smile and pleasant "How do
won him from the start. Now their
friendship grew rapidly into soneshing
| more deep and lasting.
They We're both around the age of
forty and had come to that quiet I'M
derstanding of accepting things as
they were; neither inquired into the
Others affairs.
buxom widow was Myra. with one
child. whom she boarded at a small
farmhouse in the country. Little Irene
Virgins was the JOY of her life, and
Alyra delighted In her trips to the re-
| gion where she could breathe Gods
pure air. away from the smoke and
dust of the city. One day, as she and
Irene were starting for stroll over
the hills, rosy checked lad of ten
begged to go with them.
He lives here, too mamma" plead.
ed her little girl. He's my bestest
chum. Can't he go?"
We'll oil right replied Myra. good
naturediy. and taking his hand she in
quired: What's your name, little boy?"
My names Jack Roland" was his
sturdy reply, as he stumbled along by
her side.
Roland - gasped she, hearing the
nanle. Then. curiously, "And what's
your fathers name? Jack, too?"
"So my daddy's name is Jim" and
with upturned face "yon'ye never met
my daddv, have you? He's the biggest
man in the world"
Myra's thoughts were racing mile
| minute ard her cheeks burned with
curiosity. "He must mean my Jim," she
| thought. and still it didn't seem pos
sibie. The children ran ahead and
were sliding on the ice. little dreaming
of The turmoil they'd created for Myra.
After few minutes silent pandering
she called them to her side and turned
back toward the house. AS they were
| chatting in their childish way she
heard little Jack say to Irene:
MY Nanna's coming this afternoon
with daddy. She brings me candy and
everything"
Unable to restrain the question any
longer Myra asked. "And who's your
Mamma. little boy?" at the same time
dreading the answer
"Whys that's his mother. of course"
quickly replied Irene, as If Myra ought
| to know.
"she works IN the city" joined Jack
wistfnllv
It was with quiet dignity that she
refused Jim's many Invitations the
next week. and his big. iovial face
wore a puzzled expression. although
he said nothing. Myra. who was usu-
ally the picture of health. looked
drawn and pale She'd grown fond of
Jim Roland, and to discover him in
| this light hurt not little.
Tucking Irene on her sled. Myra
started down the hack lane through
| the meadows The cold. clear air
| brought the color to her cheeks. "a
Irene pulled the end of her scarf and
shouted "Gitty-up-horsey." II was q
wonderful day and ended all too quick
~. On their way hack as Myra went
10 Jump a brook she fell with n scream
| in the snow. Irene tried 10 help her
| sn hat finding her arms linn became
frightened and cried for help. Little
Jack Roland and his daddy. who were
walking near by, came TO their assist
ance.
sis this little girl your slsterT he
asked smllingly after the pain had sub
| sided.
mo. Jim. she's my daughter" ex-
planned Myra quietly. "Pve been a
widow for several years now. And L
| thourht until recentlv that won were