The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-21
LDhen a Mans Lazy
By sNowDEN KING

mond would one and ALL have told you
he was an idler, but his father was one
of the wealthiest men in Boston. From
a mansion In Beacon street to little
three-room house in one Of the busiest
portions of the city is quite a distance,
both socially and financially, but Jack had
done away with it easily in his acquaint-
ance with Bessie Stuart They had met
at ball year ago at Mrs. Ostranders.
Bessie's aunt wealthy society woman.
who, when Mr.. Stuart died, opened her
doors to his widow and daughter.
Bessie had stoutly refused. "No, aunt.
I cannot" she had said, ''even though
you are papa's sister. Mama and I will
live alone, and you will see that I shall
take care Of her beautifully
Mrs. Ostrander secretly admired the
proud independence Of her favorite niece
and was always devising plans to have
her with her as often as possible
There was silence between Jack and
Bessie for some time. He broke it by
saying:
"Are you going to be present at your
aunt's dinner Wednesday evening"
Yes; that is what am going home for
now. Mama will stay with Aunt Ruth
another week, but promised Aunt o.
trander I would spend the last day OF my
vacation with her. had letter from her
yesterday in regard to the dinner. She
writes me am to wear an elegant gown
and go down with John Leigh, author.
Don't you think that is glory enough Tor
one young woman in one EVENING"
II should think SO. And you are to
meet your idol at last, are you? Bessie.
has it ever occurred to you that perhaps
you may be disappointed In him?'' 49,. +
II shall like him. And the girls voice
had a very positive note. II have read
everything he has written for four years,
and since I have been working for the C.
magazine I have illustrated several Of his
stories. I can even tell you what he
looks like, though have never seen him.
He is dark for one thing, and has a
strong, thoughtful face. I wonder what
he is coming to Boston for?'
The quizzical smile deepened in Jacks
blue eyes. Where does he live when
he is at homer"
Bessie's brows drew together in
thoughtful frown. well, don't believe
I ever really heard Somehow have al
ways thought Of him as living in New
York city,
Just then the train stopped at a small
station and picked up man, a Bostonian.
every inch. There was nothing in his
appearance to cause Jack to start as
though he were guilty of crime and this
man the avenger, but he did. For the
first time in all his life he did not want
to see Matthew Hilton, for he had told
him only few days ago that a secret
which had been a secret between them
for five long years of close companion
ship need be one no longer.
There's Mr.. Hilton, the publisher"
Bessie exclaimed. whoever would have
thought Of seein CHIN down here?"
"Bessie" whispered 11urriedly;
he hadn't much time. for his Nemesis
was coming toward them with a bright
smile on his face-"could you forgive me
for deliberately deceiving you?"
Good morning. Miss Stuart. I see
by his happy face that you have forgiven
the, boy = And Hilton's hand was laid
earelessly on Jacks shoulder for a mo-
ment. II want to thank you for 1t, for
the fear that you would not has been the
shadow Of John Leigh Hammond's SUM-
shine for months. Please let him enjoy
his laure1s, for he has won them royalty"
Mr.. Hilton proceeded to make himself
comfortable by turning a seat to face his
friends, but at that moment a door
changed and man he must see passed into
the smoker. Never mind" he smiled, as
he left them; It'll join you later
Jack Hammond had grown very white.
He turned to Bessie, his eyes desperate
He never quite realized until this moment
just what this girls real displeasure would
mean to him.
'1t is as bad as it seems, Bessie.
! have allowed you to idealize name, and
you have found that he is only a plain
common man after all. Are you going to
| even try to forgive me?"
"Oh, jack was not thinking of that
at ALL but of how cruelty unjust I have
been to you. I believe have even called
you lazy, and all the time you were doing
such an immense lot of work it makes me
fairly dizzy to think Of it,
None of that matters now" And
Jacks hand closed tightly over hers.
rs 1t for life, sweetheart?" For a
moment the steady blue eyes held the
brown eyes fast; then the brown ones
dropped, and the answer was, Forever
and foreyer!'