The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-08-17
CONSOLATION.
A Bit of Friendly Sympathy That
Was Expensive.

1t was Kitty who first suggested to
me that our prescription was not work
ing well. As soon as she spoke | was
bound to admit it. | had thought that
Jack would easily get over his unfor-
inmate attachment; | expected that
after few quiet weeks with US, he
wOnld forget Clara Wilkinson and her
disgracefnl treatment of him. She was,
in my opinion, a worthless girl. and
grieyed to see him take the affair SO
seriously. And just at first he had APP
peared to rally He had become more
cheerful. and more ready for society
l said as much to Kitty, but she point
ed out that there had been "a relapse.
In fact, she was emphatic on the ques-
ton.
He's getting no good here at all"
she said most positively. Really, in
his own interest, l must ask you to
send him away"
The girl has spoilt his life" cried
angrily- Kitty looked at me for mo
ment, but said nothing.
Il suppose you're right" l went on.
He would be better in a IiveIier
place"
'Of course he would. you dear old
stupid" said Kitty.
l did not see that | had been stupid
There is nothing to distract his
thoughts here, | said.
You speak to him them" asked
Kitty. She was decidedly in earnest
about it.
"A woman does these things SO deli
cately and tactfully," l suggested.
..Oh. / couldn't think of it, Robert"
said Kitty, blushing. l admired her
delicacy.
He was walking up and down the
gravel walk, hitting at my flowers (of
which | am rather proudD with his
stick, and smoking one of my cigars
(I'm Judge of cigars) at a ruinous
| pace. When Joined him and linked
my arm through his. he started
Jack" said |, wouldn't you be bet
ter away from here? Come, you know
! what | mean. You're no great hand a t
| secret"
II" he began stammering, and
| in great confusion
Il know all about it," said l, eneour-
| agingly. Il thought you'd get good out
! of the place, but it's clear you haven't:
| quite the contrary. You want To see
! new things and new people; and for
| get this" l paused for word and
! ended, this unhappy mistake of
| yours"
Upon my honor, you are a good
! chap he exclaimed There's not an
other man in England that would have
treated me you have" and he COW
! cred his eyes with his hand.
'.Oh. nonsense. Its nothing. / hope
I'm always ready to do my friends a
! turn. But it's no use, is 1t? 1t gets
worse and worse"
| IN GO" he said, with a sigh. Il
won't stay a minute. After what you
say, | couldn't. And, old chap, | don't t
know how to thank you. Many fel-
lows would have taken the way I've
been going on badly; most would"
..Oh, we made allowance for you.
Young men mustn't be judged too
| harshly."
But you're a true friend. 1t makes
me feel pretty bad, L can tell you,
Il Bob
''Oh you'll soon forget it when you re
on the move"
I'm try BY Jove, L willr' he ex-
claimed. earnestly.
DO; it only needs a little resolution.
Because. between ourselves, you
know, you oughtn't to be inconsol-
able.
..Eh?"
In NV opinion, Jack, you've had an
escape And you can take my word
for it Remember l know the lady
| pretty we'll" In fact. Id met Clara
| Wilkinson a hundred times, and had a
perfectly definite opinion about her.
oh you mustn't say a word against
her" he protested. shes been al
that's good and kind and
'.Of course, you say that" L inter
rupted. impatiently. Il suppose you're
bound to. but it won't go down with
me. If ever there was heartless
worthless jade"
Bob ne cried, starting away from
me; but | was determined he should
hear the truth.
If ever a woman" / pursued, led
Young fellow on, deliberately, wicked
". never meaning anything except to
; get him - her tolls ami then turn him
adrift with a laugh-that's what sh,
, meant with you-Oh, L know her-n,
one better,''
The unhappy young man turned pail
and his lips trembled.
Now You know the truth about he
and hope you'll proceed to put he
image out of your heart" | concluded
I'D have staked my life on heri'' ht
murmured- ''She-she seemed So diff