The Winslow mail., 1898-12-03
and hardened mv heart.


meet him.
Il want to introduce you to Mrs.
Vivian" l said. You know all about
my love affair"
(which one?" he asked.
The one" [ said. He thought care
fully for minute.
do you mean JACKIE" he asked.
"Of course [ do"
'WeH?"
Mrs. Vivian is Jacks mother"
l glanced across the lawn and saw
Jack herself, alcne, shining white
against some dark laurels. My mind
was instantly made up.
"Weli?" he said, again.
Il want you 10 talk to her for zen
min ates. And, like a dear old chap,
say.all the nice things you can about
me, will you?"
"Ycu want me to bamboozle her, do
you?"
Il want to marry Jack" l said.
"All my friends are marrying" ST.
Alleyne murmured; they'll soon be
all gone. I'm always doing them good
turns, and they never do anything
for me-"
III do anything you like for you if
you'll only manage this" 1 said. AS
turned he caught me by the arm.
Look here" he said, what am 10
talk about-rising artist, increasing
popularity and all that kind of
thing?"
81 leave ii to you. But for heavens
sake don't give me away" He smiled
! tenderly.
'"As if I could" he said.
l saw that Mrs. Vivian's face famed
as | presented him. 1 had never seen
her blush before; but at the same time
there was kind Of feeble triumph in
her expression that made me sick. ST.
Alleyne dropped languidly at her side
and 1 sped across the lawn. Mrs. Wv
Jan was at liberty to look as much as
she liked; 1 could trust my friend to
hold her.
| Jack saw me coming and turned
away towards the rose garden;
blessed both her and her acuteness as
L followed She paused when
seemed fairly alone.
D
noOn?''
Talking to Mrs. Vivian"
"Ohl" she said, twas it interesting?''
Very. And you?"
I've been waiting for YOU"
well, I'm here now. Jack!"
Yes" she said.
"You want to marry me, don't you,
Jack?"
You silly boy" she said. took her
hand and held it so that no one could
see.
You know you do said; you told
me SO once"
did ~" she asked. closing her fin
gers tightly over mine.
Yes; and I'm going to marry you"
You dear boy!" she said. But how
can you? Mamma will never consent"
I thought l detected a hint of tears in
her eyes.
but if gain her consent, and this
very afternoon?"
She looked at me with all her youth
or fire. | leaned towards her sudden
ly and she kissed me; the thing was in
evitable. If the world had been look
ing on l believe she would have kissed
, me then.
MY dearest Phil" she said, eth mar
ry you whenever you like" She
stopped above a rose bush and plucked
a blossom; l bent over her shoulder,
and my lips brushed her ear and cheek
deliciously.
Phil, Phil" she cried 1 followed
her glance, and there was Mrs. Vivian
sailing towards US, leaning heavily on
St. Alleyne's arm!
| felt convinced, by the Indifference
Of St. Alleyne's manner, that he had
been doing his duly to me. He left Mrs
( Vivian with me. saying: "I'll see you
later, old chap" and he added, in a
whisper: Strike now
| did strike, and [ won that after
noon. The feeble objections that Mrs.
Vivian offered were easily overcome; l
attacked them all triumphantly and
gained her consent; it was not given
grudgingly, either, and although Jack
could not understand it, could.
Iwalked home with ST. Alleyne after
wards. Il had an awful quarter
hour with that woman" he said; "you
really should have more consideration
for a man."
"I'm your eternal debtor" l said
What did you talk about?"
you" he said.
"Did that tire you?"
"Horribly," he murmured.
what do you think of Mrs. Vivian?"
[ asked. He waved his arm despairing-
y. DON'T" he said. 81 wouldn't mar
ry into that family to have all my debts
paid; not that they worry me much,"
he added, thoughtfully.
''All you beggars are getting mar
led he said. What the deuce am I
going to do?"
Marry Mrs. VIVIAN" said; "she's
a widow. you know, and would jump at
you" He paused on the steps of his
club 10 think about it.
at would be rather fun. wouldn't it?
If were younger I wouldn't mind, but
I'm almost SO, you see. No, Phil, it
won't do. It's a beastly thing to be
growing DID," He sighed mournfully.
Il suppose you don't want any dinner?
No! Thought not. There's one thing
left in life, alyhow-I can always
dine''-Idler.