The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-26

wagered him my mustache against his
that his wife, If l ever had one, would be
beautiful"
in face and in figure, a perfect wo-
man." added Jenkins, smiling. BE good
10 that mustache, while you have 1t. for
it won't last long"
AS Jenkins was leaving, Simms accom-
panied him to the door, where they were
both surprised to meet Miss Auburn and
her cousin coming in.
Simms wondered where they could have
been on such a night, for dri2zling rain
had set in. But all conjecture 4egArding
the possible cause of their being out so
late on a rainy night was lost n sur
prise at the incident which followed. Ma
bel dropped on her knees and proceeded
TO remove her cousins rubbers. while
Miss Auburn hastily put her hand on Ma
bells shoulder, saying BE careful, my
dear
Again in his room, Slmms lighted a
cigar and sat down to think it out. Had
she a-a-an artificial limb" Even in MS
thoughts he could not say wooden leg"
Who was it that ran up stairs so light
ly, and why did Mabel remove her cous-
les rubbers?" His cigar was SIN oked up,
but he had not thought it out.
The next morning when he started down
town, he opened his room door with a
jerk and was descending two steps at
one bound, when he was brought to a
standstill by the little figure with an ar
tihcial limb, slowly coming up stairs IN
her usual way. Simms retreated, thinking
he would go back to his room and re-
main there until she had reached the hall
He called himself a brute, an unfeeling
bear, an inhuman monster TO go rushing
out like a mailman, for no doubt she was
unreasonably sensitive about this matter
and would feel Inundated because he had
now, so Enthusiastically, discovered her Sc
cret. lie had not reached his room, how
ever, when she called him.
Mr.. Smms, the stairway is wide
enough for you to pass me. Why are you
running away? Did 1 brighten you by
creeping up stairs this way?"
she was laughing and not in the least
embarrassed. She spoke and stood just
like a girl with two sound legs under
her. But Simms knew better. He MUIR
INJURED something about going back to
close his room door.
Il am somewhat of an invalid to-day"
she said softly, as he passed her. simms
noticed that she looked pale.
AS he walked down town he tried to re-
member what he had SAID to her He felt
sure he had said something, but what?
His position had been awkward, and he
feared he had not appeared to the best
advantage. But at any rate he had abb
solute proof now.
One evening a few weeks later the Office
door bearing the proud inscription, ~
II. Simms, Attorney" was closed and
locked promptly on time and the busy
man of law turned his steps homeward
and his thoughts loveward, He felt very
comfortable and well pleased with himself
and his affairs. All doubt was cleared
~
caused him so much uneasiness. First
that Miss Auburn really had an artificial
limb. Second-that it did not in the least
affect his high regard for her. Now he
would take the first opportunity to learn
that young lady's opinion of himself.
When he entered the house on that me
morable evening, he heard a mascu-
line voice in the parlor, mingling
with the low tones he knew so well
The fiend, jealousy, gripped his heart,
and he was inclined to feel angry when
the low voice made itself more distinct
and called his name.
He entered the parlor and bowed grave
ly to the lady, not looking towards her
companion.
Good evening, Mr.. simms," was Miss
Auburn's greeting. She paused and look
ed at the other gentleman. Simms felt
awkward.
Mr.. Simms, there is a gentleman pres
ent. Perhaps you know him"
Simms raised his eyebrows, as though
II surprised him to learn that there was
someone else in the room. and slowly
looked in the direction Miss Auburn In
dicated.
"Dick Linn, old boyg and Jack
Simms, my friendl' were simultaneous ex-
clama lions, as the two men clasped hands.
Then followed yNIa hnx,y
Dick who was an old schoolmate of Mr.
Simms', was Miss Auburns step brother.
and had surprised her and her aunt by
coming to pay them a visit.
Come down and spend the evening with
us, Mr.. Simms, and visit my brother"
was the sweet invitation from Miss Au-
burn, which Simms was about to accept.
but Dick protested. saying that he had
planned to spend the evening in Smms'
room, where they could have an undis-
turbed chat about old school days
Accordingly that evening the two friends
were costly chatting and smoking; smok-
ing and chatting; living over again the
happy days gone by, and possibly happier
now in the memory Of those days than
they were at the time. In the midst Of
all this smoke and talk, signs and laugh
ter, they heard slow, cautious steps on
the stairs
There comes sister, pegging up stairs
one step at a time" cried Dick, laugh
ing.
Simms looked at his friend in surprise.
which quickly changed to anger. To think
that his old friend. Dick, and her brother,
should laugh at her misfortunel
Sir" he cried.
why, what's the matter?" And Dicks
laughing face began TO lengthen.
Whats the matter! Matter enough,
when you laugh like that at your sisters
misfortune"
my sisters misfortune?' repeated Dick,
with a grin.
Yes, your sisters misfortune" an
swered Simms, frowning.
II do not understand you, Mr.. Simms :"
said Dick, haughtily
You were just Laughing at the manner
In which your sister came up stairs, were
you not?" asked Simms. Judieially.
Dick began to think there wes a mis-
take somewhere but also noticed that his
friend seemed to take a remarkable inter-
est In his sister, which made him less
disposed to be angry than he otherwise
would have been. He offered to explain
the reason for sister Creeping up stairs -
But simms quickly stopped him, saying:
IT know the cause perfectly WELL but
see nothing particularly funny about It,"
Jack Simms, you are crazy" cried
N-N ~ -suzexz~r..s.u.u.