Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-11-22

startled on seeing Jim walk in. OF
! course, was delighted to see him. As
we shook hands heartily he told me
that his mother had quite recovered.
Pray introduce me to your friend,
Mr.. Darealli," said Flo, as she flashed u
glance at him.
He is my partner, friend and broth
err" | responded. Jim, this young
lady is Miss Flora Denbigh; I am per-
mitted to call her Flo, and so may You,
IL she does rot object"
ooh, don't mind, as he's your broth
err" she said, smiling archly, land o
much younger brother, too"
mot much younger" observed Jim.
pressing the hand she presented; then,
as my eyes followed Flora's, I noticed
for the first time how much more hand
some and juvenile-looking he was than
myself; then, with pang, felt sorry
he had returned; the next moment |
was soundly rating myself for the evil
thought; but instinct was right and
affection wrong in this case.
We renewed our old performance, and
i noticed that Flora was at the circus
far more often than when / was doing
my single turn. 1t was then that jeal-
ousy got hold of rue, and began 70 en-
terrain feeling of distrust for my part
ner and friend. Of course, watched
him closely, and it soon became plain to
me that he was as much in love with
Flora as was.
BE it here recorded to his credit that
from shamefaced feeling. bashfulness
OK stupidity-call it what you will
had not mentioned that was virtually,
if not actually, engaged to the girl. Ii
is certain that she did not say anything
about it, and she, to all appearance, re
ciprocatcd Jim's feelings. At last got
wrought up to pitch of desperation
and resolved to put an end to the mat
ter
"Will you be my wife or not, FLOP" I
asked her one night, when we happened
to be alone.
She still temporized, and l fully be-
,ieve now that she thoroughly enjoyed
tortIring me.
well, Jack, like you well enough"
she answered, "but | cannot say love
you yet. Besides, there are"
"Others," | interposed. "Oh, yes, l
know you have dozens of admirers as
well as me and one of the principal of
| them is"
"Jim?" she suggested, promptly,
"You may as well sSy itas think it. OF
course, he likes me, and | like him.
But she adde's, coaxingly, 81 like you,
too, Jack; still, you must wait"
"And supposing you had never seen
Jim?" ] suggested.
"Oh, goodness knows!" she Uttered.
"Perhaps | should have accepted you By
this time. But there goes eight o'clock !;
you'll be late for your turn, as you cali
it, if you don't hurry"
l turned and walked slowly away
having. plenty of time before me, and No
inclination for work The way to the
circus, which was canvas one, in an
open space on the outskirts of the town
was through shady lane. AS ram
bled moodily along | noticed, as |
neared bend, a man who drew behind
a clump of bushes as l passed. One
glance was sufficient-it was JIM In
II flash it came to me that he was there
to meet Flo. Restraining my passion
with grim determination passed Oh
then crept through gap in the hedge
and stealthily returned to the spot Ia
listen, like the coward | was, to the
forthcoming interview. In few min
utes she came tripping along; the next
moment she was in his arms, while he
showered kisses upon her upturned
face. - The sight maddened me, and
only by tremendous efforts did / re-
strain myself from rushing upon them
At last she said, as she released herself:
"There, that'll do, Jim. Iwant to tell
you something Then in her pretty
artless fashion, she related our last con,
yersation. Jim listened patiently TIC
the end, and then said, very gravely:
Poor old Jack; I'm sorry to hear
this. | wish Id known it before"
THAT wouldn't have prevented you
falling in love with me, though, Jim,
she reasoned.
NO." he retorted, still more gravely
perhaps not; but it would have pre-
vented me confessing it. Good heavens
What will Jack think of the friend and
partner who steals his sweetheart from
him?"
Don't be baby" she cried; "yoa
haven't stolen his sweetheart. / never
was his sweetheart. l like old Jack very
much--no one could help doing that;
but l don't love him, Jim, like do
well, some one who is not hundred
miles away"
1t was dusk, so it was impossible tt
see her face, but | could well imagine
how she looked at him as she said this
I'm sure no man OH earth would have re
sisted the temptation, and jim didn't
lie embraced her again. l could stano
it no more and rushed frantically away
reaching the circus in state of agita
ton that was noticed by everyone.
For 'eaven's sake, Jack, what's tn,
matterP" asked old Morritz. cave you
been a-drinkin
"No!" / almost shouted. I'm az
sober as a judge. Leave me alone"
He shrank away with positive lool
OF fear On IS greasy Jewish features
Having dressed myself, saw to tn,
liking of orr apparatus, taking NOR,
than usual care to make sure that al
the gear was sound and in good order
why, / knew not, but l shall be thank
full for that extra bit of precaution t.
my dying day. AT the very last mo