The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-08-10
/ How Jack Simpson
) Found Promotion. s
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

the question of his little daughter,
Beatrice, and she prattled on without
waiting for an answer. "'Cause you
never have any, you know; and there's
hardly ever anythin' in the cupboard
now l wants some milk for supper;
please, mamma, let me have some
milk
No, no, dearie," said Mrs. Simpson,
very young and handsome looking
mother; here, have this piece of bread
and drink of water. Come, there's a
good girl; must take you off to bed
now"
Dearie was put to bed, and when they
We're left alone in the kitchen together
dearie's father and mother looked ear
nestly into each others eyes. Then
dearie's father pushed large knife
across the table and held out both his
hands.
"Cut em Off" he said, hoarsely; mo
body wants 'em. There's nothing for
I'm to do. Cut 'em off"
Don't, Jack, DON'T" she pleaded;
"work will come and we shall pull
round all right. For my sake, do moth
ing desperate, Jack. Don't give up
hope; you will get work.
"And where shall I get wor!l?" he
retorted, bitterly. "They have done
with me at Fairlow's and I've tried
and tried-Heaven knows how I've
tried! And I'm getting tired of being
told there's nothing for me: I'm tired
of seeing you getting paler and thin
ner'-she moved closer to him and ran
her fingers through his thick brown
hair-"and I'm tired of hearing our lit
tie girl ask for things, little bits O.
things, we can't give to her. Some
thing will have to be done quickly. 1
can't understand Holder; he plays me
on and off, half promises, and then
says he can't start anyone for weeks.
And he smiles when he says it. Smiles
just like he did when he gave me a
weeks notice with profound regrets,
as he put it, at Fairlow's having no
further use for my services. hate
him when l think of it. Only yester-
day begged of him to find me some
thing to do, if only for the sake of you
and the little 'un. He shook his head
and said he was sorry, and smiled!
Sometimes I thin'.-why, what's the
matter, JESSE"
Nothing, dear; why do you ask"
"Your cheeks-they are red as pop
pies. They remind me of the old days.
All, Jess, dear, what sad mistake you
made to marry mere workman"
"a very sad mistake indeed" she
said, as she contradicted the words
With kiss.
"You might have been Mrs. Who
knows-who," he went on, half serious,
half chatting.
I'D rather be Mrs. I-know-who," she
answered. returning his fond look with
interest; and then, timidly, Jack,
dear, | can't bear to see you looking so
wild and reckless as you did a short
time ago. A little patience will surely
bring us into the sunshine again.
Think how you have striven, with my
poor influence, to lift yourself out Of
the rut Why, here's Mr.. Bernaby to
see you. l wonder if he brings good
news"
But Mr.. Bernaby was in no hurry to
disclose news of any kind whilst she
was present, so she left them to them
selves. Her departure was evidently
relief to the visitor He nervously
placed four shillings or the corner Of
the table and said that he was sorry
he would not be bringing any more re-
lief from the club. 1t had been stopped
at the last meeting. Couldn't say as
to how his mates had voted against
The small weekly subscription they had
been giving. Couldn't say that he liked
the job of carrying such disagreeable
news. Could say as how they was all
sorry, and that they hoped he would
soon get another place. Could say as
how 1t was no use trying Holder.
Could also say as how Holder was
slow, but he was sure and he was cum
ming and surely Jack Simpson had not
forgotten that he, a mere sub-foreman,
had carried off the lovely Jessie Reville
from under his very managers nose.
Could say as how it was very nasty,
raw evening for anyone to be out, and
lndC lie WlSueu ullu u very SOOQ-nlSQC.
And so, when she came in, she found
Jack still brooding over his wrongs,
with a new light Illuminating their
cause, and wandering nearer and
nearer towards the abyss of despair.
"Jess," he said, eagerly, 81 remember
you telling me that Holder paid you
some attentions before We were mar
ried. Did he ever ask"
Her cheeks turned into peoples
again. Eyes," she said, che asked me
TO marry him. told you all about it,
Du. you made light of it then"
"Of course" he said, "and it never
once occurred to me that it might have
touched him seriously. Besides, it is
over f-e years ago and yet his lonely,
morcse nature would perhaps never
forget Jessie waved his arm
vaguely round the almost empty room
Jess, can this be deliberate scheme
of revenge?"
She nodded her head, whispering
"I'm sure of II. felt sure of 1t from
tho frct ,,.5 b;c oVoc h1orn6 I'M wi |,