The Republican journal., 1901-04-25


thought sent queer little spasm of
pleasure through his hitherto invulner-
able heart 1t was just like her to sac
rifice her best dress to give Jack an
outing. He hadn't much faith in the
result, though, and he laughed to him.
self as he thought of stylish Jack in a
badly fitting, badly made coat. His first
impulse was to tell Jack in time to pre-
vent the worse than useless sacrifice;
but that would be betraying a secret
not intended for his ears, SO he could
only be silent and await Developments.
For the next three or four days Doris
was scarcely visible, except at meal
time. Jack stormed because she did
not give more time to their guest. 1t
was ''just like girls vanity" he said,
Ito care more for stitching an an old
machine making finery, than to care for
the comfort and happiness of two for
lorn men," And Howard, watching the
sensitive face flush under the unjust
accusations, thought her the sweetest
and loveliest of women.
At last, one afternoon, as Jack and
Howard were lounging on the porch.
Doris came tripping demurely up the
street, carrying neat package. Her
eyes shone with light that fairly daz-
zeled Mr.. Halliday, and in moment he
comprehended her plan. He arose as
she came up, and offered her a chair,
but she shook her head playfully, and
passed into the sitting room. Presently
she called Jack.
He got up lazily and went in. How
ard longed to follow, but dared not. He
expected every moment to hear jack
voice in angry derision. Instead that
young man soon appeared with beam
ing face, his fine figure adorned with a
we'll fitted and beautifully made coat.
81 tell you, Howard, there's nothing
like having the right kind of women
folks. Mine have trigged me out in
these new buds, and I'm ha ppier than
the winning captain of football team.
l can go home now with you. only re-
fused before because hadn't anything
fit to wear in your warm climate and l
was too poor to buy anything. Uncle
Walter only allows me income enough
to barely squeeze through college, and
Doris teaching scarcely furnishes moth
er and herself with the necessities.
Jack paused, and Howard, feeling like
a hypocrite, cudgelled his brain for
something to say.
Doris and mother are wonderful
women, anyhow. Doris has mack of
making the commonest things look
dainty and artistic, and mother-why
mother can easily evolve something out
of nothing. I'm sure now they must
have pinched themselves awfully to
buy these nice things, unless Doris has
sold one of her pretty water colors, as
she does sometimes. 1t must be that,
for Doris declares she hasn't taken a
dollar from the family treasury. Its
just like her, bless her generous heart!
Anyhow, I'll not worry her asking
questions, for l know she's as happy
over it as l am. Have a cigar" ex-
tending finely favored one to Mr..
Halliday.
The gentleman declined, almost
rudely.
give concluded not to smoke any
more. Your sister is right. The use OF
tobacco makes man blind and SELFISH
He was half angry with Jack for &C
cepting so unquestioningly the sacrifice
Doris had made, and he kept thinking
how soon Jack might have saved money
enough to buy his own clothes, had he
been half SO self-denying as his sister.
Jack looked at him in establishment.
''Will wonders never cease. 10 think
of your giving up smoking is stunneri
Next thing you'll sign the total abstin-
ence pledge, AMI fit yourself for a
church deacon. Doris will be delight
ed" he said, between puffs.
Don't tell her; ! 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 a petuiant fling that landed it
in the rosebed, land you've grown
virtuous very suddenly, it seems to me-"
Then there was long silence, broken
by Jack.
''Thank you, Howard. You're right.
I've been selfish beast to let mother
and Doris spoil me so. And if you,
who can so we'll afford it, can quit smok-
ing, | will, too
eff 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 like
ly to follow, and to be repeated in
future generations, to say nothing of
poisoning the air for others who detest
the ordor," Howard said, gravely.
"You talk as if Doris were debating"
said Jack, lightly.
Gas she is, in measure. Pm such
an egotistical prig that have lacked the
courage and grace to acknowledge how
much her arguments have affected me.
| think I shall be brave enough to tell
her before L co. Mr.. Halliday continu-
ed, frankly.
Jack was silent. Brotherly intuition
had suddenly opened his eyes.
"And if you think there is the least
hope for me, I've something else to tell
her before meet my mother. l know
I'm not half good enough for her, but l
intend to grow better, and'-Howard
stopped abruptly, nervousness 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
you as well as do, she'll take YOU
That evening Doris and Mr.. Halliday
sat on the porch in the starlight, having
reached perfect understanding.
II think | commenced loving you be-
cause you were so frank and outspok-
en-, so unlike the conventional society