El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-15

us IianQ.
Whats the matter with Jim Rob
bins:' he laughingly called.
In an instant his friends hand
gripped his.
Spencer, old man, so glad to see
you"' He pushed Spencer off little
and held him there. You are looking
prime he said. "And, by Georgef
you are just in time" He laughed as
he spoke, and looked at Spencer with
such a comicaI expression that it in
stantly recalled to the latter some
amusing experiences Of the dear old
school days.
"What mischief are you up tor he
cried. But, here, I'm in the way.
Don't let me bother you. I'll see you
in the morning" And he drew back
and half turned toward the door.
Hold on" cried Jim, with a plunge
at him. you don't get away from me
tonight You stay right here until 1
can properly dispose of you"
Hon. Jack Speed was seated at Jim's
right and Spencer at his left, much to
the latter's increased uneasinees. Then
the banquet commenced, and for an
hour the clatter and chatter continued
without a break. Jim was as delight
full as Of yore. dividing his attention
very equally between the guest of the
evening and Spencer, but the latter's
heart was filled with a vague distrust.
When the clatter finally ceased, Jim
raped on the table, and in a nice little
speech told Of the purpose of the ban
quet. He introduced the mayor, who
briefly welcomed back Hon. Mr.. Speed
to Palmyra. Then Hon. Mr.. Speed re-
Id To-, tell 81
his delight in returning home to such
friends and such welcome, a sentf-
ment which was greeted with loud ap-
plause. Then Jim rose again, with q
crumpled telegram in his hand. He
much regretted, he said, to be obliged
to announce that Hon. Dwight Per-
kins could not be with them. A tele-
gram he had just received announced a
railway accident that blocked the road
and held back Mr.. Perkins, 60 miles
away.
"Our regret, however" said Jim, 'is
somewhat mitigated by the fact that
we fortunately have with us as an
honored guest one Of the most promi-
nent Of New York's young political
and social leaders, Mr.. Spencer Clifford.
who will talk to us on the question of
the hour"
AS Jim sat down a patter of applause
ran round the hall and the long lines Of
faces assumed an expectant express
sion.
Remember your old debating tri-
umphs," whispered the perfidious Jim.
land sail in
Spencer gave him a horrible scowl as
he rose to his feet Then he turned to
the auditors with a pleasant smile. He
put his teeth together hard. He
wouldn't be bluffed. And deep down
in his soul he felt gratified that Jim,
despite his consummate meanness.
had confidence in him. Jim knew he
wouldn't f1uke. He would say a word
or two and retire as gracefully as pos
sfble.
When Spencer, after an eloquent
wind up, finally took his seat, the ap-
plause was vigorous and long drawn
out, and Jim, his face flushed and his
eyes sparkling, grabbed Spencer's hand
under the table and squeezed it hard
and said: "Great, my boy, great! You
ought to get down on your Bonded
knees to me for bringing you out"
When it was all over, Jim said: 1--WE
must get our coats and hunt up Min
jealous of you now. Don't make her
more so. By the way, she has young
woman from your overgrown town in
tow tonight, and We'll have to escort
her to her aunt's home. Know her?
She's Miss Anna Goldie."
A little later they were out in the
open air, Anna walking with Spencer
and Mr.. and Mrs. Jim going ahead.
that acufe married. dame having an
parently sized up the situation.
after hearing you this evening""
said Anna softly, 81 think this is the
field you are fitted for"
There was a pause. They fell back
q little farther.
do you know" he asked abruptly,
"what it is that has awakened meT'
NO." she answered.
sit is love-" he said.
He looked down at her. Her face
was averted.
do you know what brought me
down here? Do you know what car
ried me through that speech tonight?"
NO she softly murmured.
"Your'
half hour later he stopped Mrs.
Jim as she excused herself to the two
men smoking in the library.
"One moment he said. 81 want
you to know that had mentally prom
sed your scamp of a husband a sound
for the liberty he took with
my name tonight, but I've found he
blundered into doing me a favor. I'm
going to forgive him. I've even gone
so far as to bless him." He held out
both hands. Congratulate me, dear