Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-06-28

| saved money enough to buy his own
clothes, had he been half as self-deny-
ing as his sister. Jack looked at him
in astonishment
| VIII wonders never cease. To think
of your giving up smoking is a stun
ner Next thing you'll sign the total
abstinence pledge, and fit yourself for
church deacon. Doris will be de-
lighted" he said, between puffs.
Don't tell her; l want to tell her
myself. And, Jack, If you were half
the man you ought to be, you'd stop
smoking yourself and save your money
to buy the things you need. | swear
I'd be ashamed to let little, delicate
| girl help clothe me-" Howard said in
dignantly.
Jacks sunburned face took on a
bright red.
You're confoundedly polite in your
way of putting things" he said, giving
his cigar petulant fling that landed
it in the rosebed, "and you've grown
virtuous very suddenly, it seems to
| me-"
Then there was long silence, brok-
en- by JACK.
Thank you, Howard. You're right.
I've been a selfish beast to let mother
and Doris spoil me so. And if you,
who can SO well afford it, can quit
smoking, l will, too"
'lf you come down to facts, guess
it is as Doris says; we can none of us
afford it, not even if our pocketbooks
are overlooking. We cannot afford to
risk the many evil physical results
likely to follow, and to be repeated in
future generations, to say nothing Of
poisoning the air for others who detest
the odor," Howard said, gravely.
You talk as if Doris were dictat-
ing" said Jack, lightly.
"As she is, in measure. I'm such
an egotistical prig that | have lacked
the courage and grace to acknowledge
| how much her arguments have affect
ed me. think l shall be brave enough
| to tell her before | CO." Mr.. Halliday
continued, frankly.
| Jack was silent. Brotherly intui-
tion had suddenly opened his eyes.
"And if you think there is the least
hope for me, I've something else to
tell her before l meet my mother.
know I'm not half good enough for
her, but intend to grow better, and"
Howard stopped abruptly, nervous
ness making his voice husky.
Jack grasped his hand and squeezed
it till it ached.
mo, you're not good enough for her,
old fellow, no man is; but if she loves
ac do taly
That evening Doris and Mr.. Halli-
day sat ON the porch in the starlight.
having reached perfect understand
ing.
Il think | commenced loving you be-
cause you were so frank and outspok-
en-, so unlike the conventional society
girls l had grown so tired or; but the
thing that showed me my heart as
nothing else could have done was
Jacks coat"
Jacks coat" Doris exclaimed, in
astonishment. Whoever heard Of
anything SO absurd?"
Then she turned upon him quickly.
"Howard-you didnt-you don't
know"
"Yes, do too. l heard you talking
it over with your mother, you DEAR
generous little grill"
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
she asked, trying to disengage her
hand.
mot bit. 1t was the last little
link to fetter my heart to yours for
ever" holding the struggling hands
firmly upon his breast
you won't tell Jack? Please do
not. 1t would spoil his whole trip
south to know he was wearing his sis
ter's dress"
Il promise not to tell till the day he
starts home. He'll be a better man
for knowing it then. Your unselflsh
act will make it easier for him to re-
sist small vices and eXtravagances in
college next year. Besides. my own
character has been improved, and my
life made one of perfect happiness by
reading your beautiful soul through
the medium of Jacks coat. ."-Waverley
Magazine.