The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-14

An esteemed citizen is. generally speak
Ing, a man who hasn't been foundsout. IL
Truth-stark Truth-were but to come up
from the bottom of her well and take the
bandage from the eyes of her sister JUS
tice. there would be no esteemed citizen
or mighty few.
The foregoing and deal more Of the same
sort. would very well have expressed the
mind of Colin Balm when he discovered that
pretty. but, truth to tell, rather Eighty,
Jessie French. was disposed to throw him
over for a richer. and. as she held. more
worthy admirer. Colin had admitted that
the admirer in question might be richer,
although he had his doubts, but demurred
fatty to the more worthy part of the
verdict. whereupon Jessie had overwhelmed
him with the Information that his, as yet,
unknown rival was a gentleman. with heaps
of money, who had had a real gold chronom-
eter and albert presented to him in pub
lie hall an esteemed citizen, while he
Colin-was only a common compositor, with
thirty-five shillings a week. and an old
mother to keep. Then, having crushed the
daring Colin, she had gone off with her
empty head In the air. leaving him to think
the matter over during his solitary home
ward walk across Glasgow Green.
He did think II over, and the longer he
thought the less he was pleased. Jessie.
with her dainty figure. yellow hair, and sea-
blue eyes, was admittedly the very prettiest
of all the girls employed in Strang's mill.
q factory noted for having more bonnie
lasses In 1t than any other in Glasgow; but
that did not constitute a quite satisfactory
lnryor
Colin thought-that was, If the man meant
well by the girlS for in that case the least
Il could end in for her would be being
Jilted. Men of position and education want
more in the woman they marry than mere
beauty. and dearly though he loved her.
Colin saw clearly that beauty was about all
Jessie had as qualifying her for possible
entrance into class society. Many Of her
companion-workers were girls of wide
reading and more less refined tastes, but
with this group she had never become
friendly. Dancing, flirting, and generally
making the opposite sex feel sorry for it
self. embodied her idea of well-spent time,
and as her mother-her father was dead
had long ceased to exercise any control over
her, she did pretty much as she pleased.
The result was that although she was at
heart as good a girl as ever walked. her
mode OF life kept that goodness a strictly
stationary quantity, admitting of neither
increase nor Notwithstanding to be
thankful for, possibly, that last.
"Ah. WELL" said Colin, half aloud, as he
stopped and looked up at the rain-swept
April sky. In which the stars were flashing
family, IF she's in earnest about that
that man, and he about her, won't stand
in their way. She has a right to please
herself. suppose, but-but she might have
told me sooner"
The conflict between love and anger audi
BILE In his voice did not last long. AS usual
with him. love got the upper hand. turned
anger out of doors. dragged hope in by the
sic with an earnestness that spoke volumes
for his ingenuity.
Quitting the Green, he was making his
way towards his home in Great Hamilton
street when he was arrested by feminine
voice.
"Ye must be in hurry. Colin, when ye
Gamma see your frien's.'
Turning he beheld at his side tall, hand
some girl. in whose smartly-dressed figure
and smiling face he recognized jeanne Tel
fer. the sweetheart of his own particular
chum, Alec Glen.
: mo, In no special hurry, Jeanie." he re-
piled, with a faint smile. ''but -->s think
ing, and didn't see you.'
Like enough. But your thoughts must
have been black, to give ye face like
that-sour as vinegar. Have you an Jessie
had a quarrel to-nisht?"
They were standing under a lamp, the
light OF which enabled the questioner to
note the flush that rose on her hearers
dark face.
How did you know I was with herr" he
asked. evasively.
THAT wasna hard to guess said she
with a laugh. You're dressed to kill-goi
them all on. Jessie stays over in Gosan
street. an you're only getting home to
Great Hamilton street at 10 o'clock. Oh
It's too hard; ask me something easier"
"Well. / was across the Green, seeing
her home" admitted Colin. the flush on his
face deepening under her raiilery.
"An' you quarreled?'
I'm a sort OF way-yes. But we'll be able
% make II up again. expect
-"You don't expect anything of the kind
II you know anything OF what's going on
said Jeanne. with change of look and tone
30 sudden that Colin was startled. "You
may intend to make II UP. but don't think
she does. II she did. she wouldn't do as
she's doing; and If you are a man. your
either make her walk straight or walk BY
herself. so far you are concerned. You
know about this swell mash of hers?"
Colin nodded; speech was difficult at tn,
moment.
"Umph! Well, I saw her with him las
night, an so did Alec. We were in the
Queens Park an came on them by chance
We saw them both plainly enough-an'
Colin, ye can take this from Alec as vel
as from me. that while yon man may NEAR
the straight thing the chances are a hun
dred against He's a deal older than sh,
il, he Is not at all like tit match for her
an he has bad face. / always knew tina
Jessie was thoughtless. but L did thinl
she had enough sense TO keep her from
running such risks as she's doing II sh,
doesn't watch herself she'll end where Mir
rem Slade did three years ago-in tn,
Clyde
In her indignation the speaker had to :
large extent forgotten the feelings of he
hearer-tili she was reminded OF them b,
hoarse cry, and looking closer, saw hi
white face set In horror unspeakable.
at didn't mean TO hurt you. Colin" sh,
said. with quick contrition. But there ar,