Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-01-27
The Generosity
of Clementina o
BY AMY b. JACOBS

| FEEL pititul skunk! said Marina
| duke. pushing back his chair, and
throwing a surprising pair of feet W
on his desk. Just like the poor
browbeaten creature in the novelties
persuaded by stern and unnatural pa
rent to marry an heiress whilst his fap-
by heart is in the proud possession OF
a penniless beauty. BY Jove, though,
that's where | score There isn't an
other girl in the case. It's Clementlna
or nobody, so why on earth shouIdnt it
be Clementina?"
This argument fell like balm on Mar
madukes conscience. Clementina was
a nice girl, and a rich girl What did it
matter if her father was an ignoramus
and made his thousands by margarine?
Clementina was fond of him. Clemen-
tina didn't want a wealthy husband.
She loved to see him in his wig and
cloak. and she didn't care a fig for her
special amusement. He wasn't desper-
ately in love with Clementina, but what
did that matter?
What is love, sir?" asked Marmaduke
of his faithful cient-his hat and coat
propped up against the opposite chair.
will you kindly tell me that You don't
know Well. in the words Of lawyer,
| will tell you. 1t is an arrant piece OF
folly. sir, a madness which SEXES you
in a moment. and makes you do all sorts
of iGiotic things, which you are sorry
for afterward. While il lasts you think
you are the happiest fellow on the face
of the earth, and when its gone. what
have you got? slice of experience,
that all You've lost your case anC got
to pay the costs. Now, if only hot
headed youth would consult a lawyer be-
fore starting on matrimonial career,
by Jove what harvest we should
make"
At that moment light rap came at
the office door and Marmaduke, with
vision of wealthy client in sable coat,
and with a waiting brUugham below,
drew down his legs hastily, and as
sumed his best court expression, just as
the door opened and Miss Clementina
| Potts entered.
Tina" said the young lawyer, with
a shade of disappointment.
You're surprised to see me-" SAID
Miss Potts. You don't often entertain
ladies here"
No. unfortunately, my clients have
been mostly of the masculine persua-
sion" said Marmaduke. with a hasty
glance at his hat and coat. But take
a seat, Tina I'm awfuily glad to see
you, and you do look ripping"
Miss Potts smiled She certainly did
look remarkably pretty. Hercheeks were
paler than usual, her reddish hair
cleaned gold in the sunlight, and the
gay air which sometimes Jared on the
young lawyers ears seemed strangely
reduced. Clementna smoothed her err
mine muff and looked up determinedly
Il reckon" she said I'D best go
straight into the matter. There's no
sense in beating around the bush when
you can skip through it, as pop says
came to say that our engagement is off
and I'm off, too. We sail for New York
straight away"
WHAT" said Marmaduke, starting
back with unfeigned horror. What
for?"
I think that is my business" said
Clementina, quietly, Anyhow, you've
been good to me, Duke, and I'm sorry to
leave you. But you'll soon find some
body to fill my place"
But that's all nonsense!" said Mar
maduke, Selling the little white glovec
hand. I'm not going to be turned on
like this. Don't you care enough fol
me? Is that it?'
For a moment Clementinas blue eyes
Iparkled with indignation; then She
laughed awkwardly and turned away
1 like you as we'll as most" she said
: but reckon | can get along without
any of you. Anyway, I'm off
But don't you see you are treating
me badly, Clementina?" argued the law
yer II have right to know the reason
/, you are jilting me- 1t isn't fair to me.
II 81 guess it's fairer than If | married
O you." said Clementina. with a little
shake in her voice. But when we Amer
: ican girls make up our minds. there's
nothing more to be said. We'd better
say good-by here. Pops waiting fol
nae At the STATEN. and I've got two OIL
three more visits to make Say, you'v,
D never kissed me before, and we've beer
!. engaged for a long time. You can jus,
once now. II you want to-"