The diamond drill., 1894-08-25
CONSOLATION.
A Bit Of Friendly Sympathy That
Was Expensive.

II was Kitty who first suggested To
me that our prescription was not work.
ing well. As soon as she spoke ! WAS
bound TO admit IL. had thought that
Jack would easily get over his unfor-
tunate attachment; l expected that,
after few quiet weeks with us, he
would forget Clara Wilkinson and her
disgraccful treatment Of him. She was.
In my opinion, n worthless girl. and
grieved To see him take the affair SO
seriously. And just at first he had ap-
peared to rally. He had become more
cheerful. and more ready for society.
j said as much To Kitty, but she point
ed out that there had been relapse.
In fact, she was emphatic on the ques-
tion.
"He's getting no good here at all"
she said most positively. Really, In
his own interest, must ask you to
send him away"
1.-The girl has spoilt his lifel" cried
angrily. Kitty looked at me for mo-
ment, but said nothing.
III suppose you're right" went on.
''He would be better In q livelier
, place"
''Of course he would. you dear old
stupid" said Kitty.
did not see that had been stupid
There IN nothing TO distract his
thoughts here" said.
"You speak TO him then?" asked
Kitty. She was decidedly in earnest
about IL.
"A woman does these things 40 deli
cetely and tactfully," suggested.
"Oh, couldn't think of II, Robert, "
said Kitty. blushing. I admired her
delicacy.
He was walking up and down the
gravel walk, hitting ut my flowers (oi
which am rather proud) with his
stick, and smoking one OF my cigars
(I'm Judge OF cigars) at ruinous
pace. When Joined him and linked
my arm through his, he started.
Jack" said I, wouldn't you be bet
ter away FROM here? Come, You know
what mean. You're no great hand Al
q secret"
I'll" he began stammering, and
IN great confusion.
81 know all about It," said /. encour'
agingiy. IT 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" I paused for word and
ended, "this unhappy mistake o.
yours"
Upon my honor, you are n good
chap. he exclaimed. There's not an
other man In England that would have
treated me as you have" and he GOV
cred his eyes with his hand.
\ "Oh, nonsense. It's nothing. hop'
I'm always ready TO do my friends
turn. But It's no use, Is II? II get
worse and worse"
"Pll go," he said. with q sigh. g
won't stay a minute. After what yo'
say, I couldn't. And, old chap, don
know how to thank you. Many fel
lows would have taken the way Pv
been going on badly; most would"
"Oh. we made allowance for you
Young men mustn't be judged to-
harshly."
"But you're true friend. II make,
me feel pretty bad, / can tell you
Bob"
"Oh you'll soon forget IL when your
on the move"
"rli try. BY Jove. willi' he es
claimed, earnestly.
"Do; Il only needs little resolution
because, between ourselves, 20
know. you oughtn't TO be inconso
able"
"Eh?
I'm my opinion. Jack, you've had a
escape. And you can take my wor'
for Il. Remember I know the lad
pretty we'll" In fact. I'd met Clar
Wilkinson hundred times, and had
perfectly definite opinion about her.
"oh, you mustn't say a word agains
her." ne protested. shes been u
that's good and kind and"
"of sourse. you say that" intel
rupted, impatiently. 81 suppose your
bound TO, but IL won't go down wit
me. II ever there was hearties
worthless jade"
.Bobl' ne cried, starting away iron
me; but was determined he shoul
hear the truth. -
"If ever a woman" pursued, led
vounQ fellow on, deliberately wickee
". never meaning anything excep. y
Ii ID xhon turn ntI