The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-06-13
HOW HE WON HER.

really prefers
Prefers me! that's mild way OF
putting it, Jack, Henry Wentworth
interrupted, throwing his cigar end
out of the window, unmindful that
where it fell it shone like u star for
moment on Goldsmith's grave.
"Prefers mel why of course she does.
Am | not younger, richer, handsomer
in fact everything but cleverer than
you; and women don't care cent
about brains. Besides, Jack, l love
her in way solemn old bookworms
like you have no idea of; and l know
she cares for meF
Then win her, old fellow-if YOU
can; and Heaven bless you both. ]
know am not very formidable ri
val.'
NO, Jack you would never have the
courage to pop the question. Ia tai
am going out cried Wentworth,
gaily.
He laughed as he ran down stairs,
at the very idea of slow jack Bris-
bane aspiring to win Jeslie Chal-
font.
And yet she said she honorcd work
and wolshipped genius. So much for
woman's professionsp John Bris-
bane exclaimed aloud two hours la
ter.
He had been sitting by the open
window of the chambers that he shar.
ed with Henry Wentworth in Gold
Smiths Buildings.
The friends were as much unlike as
it was possible for men to be, yet they
chummed together very happily.
Brisbane was the younger SON OF a
poor, proud barcnet, with but a very
meager allowance.
Henry was the heir OF a wealthy
Birmingham manufactures.
They had known each other as boys
met ut school and college.
When Wentworth came to Londol
to study law (more as reason fair TO
demanding an increased allowance
than with any serious intention o
pursuing the profession,) he begge,
to share Brisbane's rooms,
He wanted to be anchored to som
thoroughly respectable member q
London society,
Clever, studious, aristocratlc Jac
seemed just the person,
He was so good-natured, so preo(
cupied, so gentle and unassuming, il
spite of his long pedigree, that Harr
felt he could have his own way, an
do much as he liked-and he did.
Jack worked hard and was maxim
his way in literature,
He lived in the temple for man
reasons; it was convenient; it VIZ
quiet as central peace subsisting q
the heart of endless agitation; it W.
full OF associates, and even of societ,
For a student, and dreamer lik
Jack, the Temple was IL holy plac
and its sad floor an altar, worn ii
their very steps mad left a trace /
the men he loved.
He kept aloof from the noisy spi
its that desecrated the quiet echoir
courts and cloisters-from all excel
Henry, and his worst faults were on
follies, and his follies fun.
He was u vain, selfish, and egotist
cal young fellow, but Jack couldn't
wouldn't see it.
Harry borrowed his collars al
handkerchiefs, his books and slipper
smoked his pipes and cigars, and us,
his perfumes and razors
In fact he practiced whats yours
mine, what's mine is my own
fla bill came, he cried
PAY that abomination, will yC
Jack?' and Jack did, and hear no mo
about the bill
All Jacks pleasures were shar
with bis friend, not even reservil
the right of visiting Holly Lod!
where Miss Chaliont resided with h
stately old father, and alderman al
great city magnate.
He asked permission to bring Ha
~ one day, and to his intense surpri
saw that young gentleman as mn
Mt homo in half an hour as he was
ter years OF assiduous, though di
dent attention,
Aliss Jessie liked him, the aid
man liked him, even the pompo
butler smiled on h!im in frienC
way.
Only Tartar, the house dog, refus
10 make friends with him.
Jack thought sadly that he was
Gully creature in the house that