Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-12

W Juckt
There were explanations here which Dc
not affect the argument.
II didn't mean that sort OF wicked
ness" said she.
isn't kissing wicked?'
"Of course not. when people are ens
gagged. Don't. Jack"
"Well, what's the particular crime you
admire. Cis7' ! inquired checrfully'
dare say I've committed II in the conrss
OF long and evil life
You know I don't mean real Wicked
ness that Is wickedness. I'm quite sure
that you wouldn't cyer-quite. quite sure,
dear"
wasn't so sure. But II was clear
enough that shouldn't tell her OF II!
II only mean little wickedness; not
weaknesses really, oniy-er-you know
what / mean"
"You are always strikingly lucid" I OBJ
served. politely.
you are always teasing me-
as that wickedness which is or which
isn'ty
'Tm not eoing to discuss frivolities,
SIR You know what I mean
I'm hanged II | dor'
well. | mean-people ssy-that man
| ought not TO be-that isl know what
I mean. but I cam express II. And l
/ won't be laughed at, JACK.
you are being laughed at. Chs"
But | don't Ike IT, pease!'
| well. you mean that 1t doesn't seem
manly for n man 10 be too good and
| proper Is that It. Cis?'
"Of course, IL is"
Upon my word. I'm not"
| "Ahw said she. triumphantly. setting
herself magisterially in corner OF tho
large armchair (she doesn't nearly III iO,
what have you done? l shall expect
| you to tell me all"
She almost looked as II she expected II.
| too: which was absurd. So | determined
| to make a careful selection; out tnere
was such an embarras de richessesl OF
course couldn't tell her Of the wicked
nesses which were. and the wicked
nesses which weren't found somewhat
difficult to define.
"Well," | began, hesitatingly.
eco on sir-the truth.
when was a boy
30. that doesn't matter. suppose
you've done something wrong since
them"
"Er-Tve sometimes had bet on n
horse-race, or n cricket, or football
match"
How much? Five pounds7'
"Well-er-not more. You see, I'm
not really a betting man"
II I'd told her OF that coup on Yellow
Dragon, IT might have got round 10 the
Governor. you see.
60 well. that isn't very much. What
else?
Sometimes, when was ~ oxford.
had quite enough 20 drink"
20. Jackl But you didn't ever get
quite-not really--so that YOU couldn't
Drunk, O. dear. mol That would
I .f sha
acter."
It wasn't worth while TO mention that
night. when the other men put me IN bed
the wrong end. with my boots on the
pillow | was only overcome With the
smoke and excitement. you know.
There's a good boy I'm glad" she
said. just touching my hand with hers.
Anyhow I'm almost teetotaler now.
| Well, that's nearly all"
Now. JackF
Except that might have said
| swear words or so now and then. Foot
| ball and billiards are very trying, you
know
II she'd heard nc talk 20 that csbby
on boat-race dayl
"Umw
Isn't that wicked enough?'
"Ye-es-but men all do II. Even dad
when he dropped the big hammer on his
foot the other day said"
WHAT"
Never mind. Perhaps It was Dear
mcP"
80. that's how I always swear"
"You tell awfuI-untruths.'
"Yes that's my form of wickedness."
/ heaved a sigh OF relief that she had
settled the question.
"But haven't you, Jack-havent you
| ever hirted? That's what l mean"
/ thought So
Good gracious, ye5!'
"Snce you knew me? Now. tell me.
won't be cross, really. I won't"
"But I've known You ever since yor
were a baby, more or less. You were &
tiresome youngster. Cts, pom my honor
| you were
II mean since you-you-liked me?"
II can't remember when ! didn't"
Dear. old Jack! Is that really trueG"
True as Gospel little ONE
As a matter Of fact it was.
Now. I've confessed enough" l OBJ.
served.
mo. you haven't There's something
| want to know"
I twddled my moustache uneasily. !
thought there was.
'Did you nirt with Polly Graham last
ChrIstmas2"
knew that was coming.
"O-er-not exactly"
Now. Jackv'
90 well, nothing TO speak off,
mot on boxing dayY'
IL don't remember"
when you walked home from skating
with herr
"You were so taken up with that fool
Jackson"
'You didn't ask me 10 skate with you"
"You always had half a dozen fellows
round you"
IL couldn't help itw | gnawed my
mustache and glared
Jack, Don't be disagreeable, . !
warted you 10 ask me?'
Here. again, there was an irrelevant
interval.
Vow about Polly Graham" she
coaxed. please tell me. ! won't be cross.
And-and-I do want to know"
perhaps did hirt little"
you kissed herr"
"Er-no." rs all very well TO talk.
but a fellow can't help looking guilty.
That's not true"
90 well. I-er-didn't want to-"
Nonsense, Why did you DO it?''
81 haven't said did"
Il know you did"
go / did. them
"You are unklnd-horrId. 7 hate you.
won't be engaged 20 you. And III never
speaH 20 you again.
"Wty. Cts. you promised"
II don't care"
''Rut i do. very much"
I'm glad-gladl Now you'll BIO
sorry And I--don't care. Don't touch
mel conference.-the"
TO prove her Indifference. she began 10
cry. SO picked her right up In my arms.
1T was only one, Cis."
"Is that true?"
absolutely" OF course IL wasn't,