Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-11-05
WICKED JACK.

II don't know-I almost think-I
should like you better--if / possibly
could like you better, Jack, dear-if-if
you were just a little-ever such
tiny bit--wioked. "
l lifted my eyebrows in mild aston
ishment. l had an idea that was suffi-
'iently wicked, not desperately or vi
iOusly wicked, you know, but Just
,bout wicked enough
would you like mo to poison pussy
n steal Aunt James knitting, or put
yunpowder in the governors pipe, or
smash the mater 's--no, pom my word,
is, won't do anything TO the dear lit
10 mater.
Don't DO 80 absurd" said She SO
,arely C'She" with II big s, if you
please).
"You don't look pretty when you
make faces, Cis
"You said yesterday that couldn't
help looking pretty"
We had only been engaged three days
then.
"Oh, Jackr'
There were explanations here which
| w hob ulltpb tHb hIBuiHtuh.
. didn't mean that sort of wicked
ness" said she.
Isn't kissing wickedH'
"Of course not, when people are en-
gagged. Don't. Jack"
well, what's the particular crime
you admire, Oisp' inquired cheerful
ly. II dare say I've committed it in tho
course of long and evil life.
You know don't mean real wicked
uess that is wiokedness I'm quite sure
hat you wouldn't ever-quite, quite
sure, dear
| wasn't so sure, but | was clear
enough that shouldn't tell her of It,
II only mean little wiGkednesses--
wickednesses really, only -er-y you
know what mean.
You arc always strixingly lucid"
observed politely.
You are always teasing me. "
Is that wickedness which il or
which ism t2''
"I'm not going to discuss frivolities,
sir. You know what mean. -
"Pm hanged if dor
well, / mean-people say-that u
man ought not to be-that isl know
what | mean, but / can't express it.
And won't be laughed at, jack. -
You are being laughed Mt, CHS.
" But don't like it. please.
| well, you mean that 1t doesn't seem
manly for n man to be too good and
proper. Is that it, Cis?'
"Of course it il. "
Upon my word I'm not "
| "Ah," said she triumphantly. set
ing herself magisterially in corner Of
he large armchair (she doesD' nearly
i'll iD, "what have you donop / shall
Expect you to tell me all "
She almost looked as II sho expected
| t, too, which was absurd. SO | deter
| lined to make u careful selection but
| there was such an embarras dc riGhessei
| ORcourse couldn't tell her of tho wick
| dnesses which were, and wickednesses
| which weren't found somewhat diff
| caIt to define.
Weil'- began hesitatiDgly.
GO on, air-tho truth. -
"When 1 was boy
"Oh, that doesn't matter. suppose
you've done something wrong since
| then"
''Er-I'vc sometimes had bet on
horse race or "a cricket or football
| match
How much-E6P'
Well-er--not more. You zee, Pm
not really betting man. ="
II I'd told her Of that coup on Yellow
Dragon, it might have got round to the
| governor, you see.
ooh. well, that isn't very much.
What clse2''
Sometimes when was at Oxford
| had quito enough to drink. 3"
"Oh, jack But you didn't ever get
glite-not rcally--go that you could
not
Drunk Oh, dear, mol That would
have shown "A great weakness Of char
~ ter. "
It wasn't worth while to mention
that night when the other men put me
in bed tho wrong end, with my boots on
the pillow | was only overcome with
the smoke and excitement, you know.
'There's good boy I'm glad, she
said, Just touching my hand with hers.
Anyhow I'm almost "a teetotaler
| Low. we'll thhJ nearly All.
"NOw, Jackp
Except that / might have said u
swear word or 10 now and then. Foot
ball and billiards are very trying you
know
If she'd heard me talk to that cabby
ON boat race day
"UmP'
Isn't that wicked enoughY'
Wees, but men all do IL. Even dad
when he dropped the big hammer on his
foot the other day said"-
| "WhatI'
Never mind. Perhaps it was Dear
mel ="
"Oh, that's how always swear"
"You tell awful-untruths
Eyes, that's my form Of wickedness "
heaved sigh Of relief that she had
settled the question.
"But haven't you, Jack-haven' you
ever fiirtedl That's what mean. :"
thought 80.
Good gracious, yesP'
Since you knew mer Now, tell me.
won't be CROSS; really won't"
"But I've known you ever since you
were baby, more or less. You were a
tiresome youngster, CHS, pom my honor