The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1901-05-16

clothes, had he been half as self-deny-
ing as his sister. Jack looked at him
in establishment.
will wonders never cease. To think
of your giving up smoking is stun
ner! Next thing you'll sign the total
abstinence pledge, and fit yourself fo1
a church deacon. Doris will be de-
lighted" he said, between puffs.
Don't tell her; | want to tell her
myself And, Jack, if you were hall
the man you ought to be, you'd STOP
smoking yourself and save your money
to buy the things you need. l swear
I'd be ashamed to let little delicate
girl help clothe me-" Howard said in
dignantly.
Jacks sunburned face took on q
bright red.
You're confoundedly polite in your
way Of putting things" he said, giving
his cigar a petulant fling that landed
it in the rosebed, and you've grown
virtuous very suddenly, it seems tC
me"
Then there was a 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"
"If you come down to facts, ! guess
it is as Doris says; we can none of us
afford it, not even if our pocketbooks
are overfowing. We cannot afford tc
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.
LAS she is, in a measure. I'm such
an egotistical prig that l have lacked
the courage and grace to acknowledge
how much her arguments have affect
ed me I think l shall be brave enough
to tell her before l CO." Mr.. Halliday
continued, frankly.
Jack was silent. Brotherly intui-
ton had suddenly opened his eyes.
And if you think there is the least
hope for me, I've something else to
tell her before I 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.
~ oh fnr
old fellow, no man is; but if she loves
you as well as do, she'll take you
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 OF; put the
thing that showed me my heart IS
nothing else could have done was
Jacks coat"
Jacks coat" Doris exclaimed, in
establishment. Whoever heard of
anything so absurd?"
Then she turned upon him quickly.
"Howard-you didnt-you don't
Know"
Yes, l do, too. heard you talking
it over with your mother, you dear,
generous little girl"
Aren't you ashamed of YOURSELF"
she asked, trying to disengage her
hand.
Not 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"
q promise not to tell till the day he
starts home He'll be a better man
for knowing it then. Your unselfsh
act will make it easier for him to re-
sist small vices and eItravagances 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. '-Wayerley
Magazine.