Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-03-15
Nashinntun StanAars
BEAUTIFUL jim.
By JOHN STRANGE WINTER.
CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XL
PROGRESS UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
AS soon as he was free to get out Of the
barracks that afternoon Beautiful Jim be.
took himself of to the bazaar, which was
open for tho last day. He found great
crowd there. for it was market day. and
nearly all the country people had con-
trived to 60 to 1t for an hour or SO before
they went home.
The ladies were all very busy; for, in
spite OF weeks good sale, there was
still large quantity Of things to be dis
posed of, and they were taking almost
any price they could get for them SO as to
effect clearance. Miss Earle was espe.
cially busy. her pleasant winning manner
and fair. bright face bringing her many
and many customer who otherwise
would not have cared to spend farthing.
Beautiful Jim. however, suffered by
this popularity. for he could not manage
to get a word with her, or hardly one.
lie knew that she and Tommy were going
homo on the Monday morning, and he
knew. too. that he could not hope by any
chance to get even q two DAYS leave on
this side of the LIST Of September
So Beautiful Jim, despite the gay and
giddy throng Of which he matar one, was
as nearly miserable as be could be while
he had still the privilege of watching his
divinity.
IL sha'nt see you after today, Miss
Earle. he said. disconsolately, when at
last she had ten minutes to spare, and he
had the felicity Of taking her off to the
refreshment chalet for q cup Of tea.
why not?"
because I'm on duty tomorrow, and
can't get any of the other fellows to do
1t for me. he returned, mournfuly.
"Oh! she cried in dismay, land Mrs
Trnftord Is having tea after the parish"
Eyes. l know" said he wretchedly
Then after moment he exclaimed in q
brighter tone: There's one fellow l
haven't asked. SO there's Just a chance
yet for me-"
Then | shall not say good-by today"
said Miss Earle. with decision. Il hate
saying good-by. Don't your"
1T depends" said Jim, guardedly. 1T
depends good deal ON the other person.
Now. II l was saying good-by to you" he
said. In desperate tone-and Just as Miss
Earle was beginning to show the prettiest
OF danger signals in her cheeks and q
droop in her sweet eyes, some-some-
idiot. Jim said to himself, savagely, came
clumsily along and knocked heavy tea
tray against her arm. making her shrek
out in unmistakable pain.
Now, then! Where are you going?"
Jim Numbered. looking daggers at the
luckless individual.
After many apologies and regrets the
poor wretch went away forgiven; and
then. Just As Jim was going to be tender
and lover like over the poor arm, great
stream of people came in, among whom
were two Of the Leslie girls and Tommy
Earle.
1t Is to be hoped that the recording
angel does not put down all the naughty
words that rise in the heart and never
pass the lips: II he does. he must have had
. busy ten minutes that Saturday after.
noon. for Beautiful Jim's unspoken
thoughts were-well, far from sanity.
Thus reminded Of her duties, Nancy
Earle went back to her post, and never
another chance did Jim have of utterinc
the words which. II she would only hear
and heed, would have made him the hap
piest man in Blankhampton that day!
But for all that he hung about Lady Mar.
garet's chalet with the persistence and
fidelity Of dog. and once or twice, when
Nancy sailed forth to dispose. by the un.
lawful and sinful means Of rafting, of
some rather large article Of upholstery
which hung on hand, he was privileged in
being allowed to carry that same. to stand
by while she enlarged ON the beauties of
soft cushions which nobody wanted to buv.
and descanted on the merits Of banner
screens which were q mockery and an
determination.
Il may cone and ~ You whom lam in
town. he asked.
''Oh! yes, Mr.. Beresford, We shall be
delighted II you do" she replied heartily.
"Ahi l shall not DO able to get leave
until well on In September, or perhaps
even October, and you won't be in town
then, he said, In detection and gloom.
You're sure not to be in town, then"
II am not SO sure, she said. True,
we always go to the country for several
months and intend to stay all the winter
only, somehow, my father likes our
house In town better than our country
place. and We generally find ourselves
home again in Hans place early in Octo.
Der. We may stay in the country longer
this year. because Stuart may care TO
bring friends for the shooting. I suppose
my father would like to be there IL he did
only he docs hate the country 20. The
country people bore him, and be says the
house is draught trap. And then he
likes his paper ut breakfast time, and he
likes his club and his whist and all that.
Oh. dare say you win find Us at home IL
you happen to be In town In October. or
even at tho end Of September"
Its q tremendous time from this to
September" said Jim, feeling q little
Modified by her information.
YEA" said Miss Earle-sit n 4 sofa
cushion. worked by the Duchess Of Blank.
shire; only sixty chances at . shilling
each. and only want three to make up
the number" + ssh
Beautiful Jim stood still and cursed at
tate. the cushion and its noble maker the
duchess. ct the inquisitivs person who
desired to see It. at everything, In short.
excepting Miss Nancy Earle.
Look here. he said, beusqus.y. Need
you hawk that thing about any fongerY !
hate to hesr you wasting Establishments
over these people. III take taeremaining
chances"
"Oh! that 10 sweet and lovely Of YOU"
Miss Earle said. 1.-TWO shillings, please.
do hope you'll get 1t. for I'm real tired
with trailing about trying to get rid
Of it,"
If l get it," grumbled Jim, II shall
take It back to barracks and burn It,"
But whyf"
just to revenge myself on the duchess
for making such hideous thing" he an.
swered.
However. he did not win Il, for after .
long and tiresome process the rafle was
conducted In much solemn state up in q
corner. the dean himself holding the bag;
and the cushion fell to Miss Earle herself |
She took It with very doubtful satisfac-
ton.
"Nr. Beresford. she said, suddenly. US
II really brilliant idea had struck her,
you've been - good - gold helping me
70 get rid Of It'll give Il to you"
ITO mel" cried Jim.
Yes; Z win help to brighten your
room. Will WON necank ffPss