The Cairo bulletin., 1906-08-26

both her hands fun Of dewy roses
Here. Take these and ix the parlol
vases she commanded Jessica.
Jessica shook her head and turned
toward the door. Grandma had weak
ened senSlbly; she was on the point OF
mumbing out an apology But us
! Ann Eliza cried pettishly. Il wish
! you'd look ut that; | told you what
would come of setting beepnrs on
horseback" her anger famed up hot
Ter than ever.
"Yon do as you're told" she cried.
| catching Jessica b. the shoulders and
trying to shake her. You say YOU
want 10 work for a livin'; prove il by
/ waitm' on your betters'
! Jessica set her teeth hard, broke
from the quayery hold ANA rushed
| away At the steps she stopped,
smiled bitterly and shool; the dust
from her feet. over her shoulder She
called clearly, "Mother, meet me at the
big gate III an hour; by then | shall
know exactly what we can do"
Tea minutes later She stood Ia the
Wakefield yard facing Jimmy, with
her heart beating so 1t half suifocated
her. She had SO dreaded to tell what
nlusttb be told TO ask the help that was
imperative 1t WAS not much, only to
carry her mother aud their seant be
longings to the poorhouse Amy shelter
would be better than the Cole roof
There was nobody else she could ask
Jimmy was the only friend within
walking distance-m0reoye the single
person to whom she could bring her.
self to make such appeal. she was,
in a way, hound to make It, She had
promised when she denied him that
dearer promise, to call on him If she
found herself In need OF him. Now
she was blessing him silently that he
had not asked anything had listened
only to what she cared TO tell and
said afterwGrd. With little soothin{,
touch on her land: you did right to
come to me. Jessy. or course III take
you anywhere you may want to 60"
You, You must only sena us Black
Billy can take us In the wagon
Grandma will be so angry if she knows
you helped us escape" Jessica had
answered, but at that Jimmy only
smiled.
Very shortly he made her sit down |
on the bench under the big elm ana |
went away whlstling, to reappear, all |
in whiffet driving a spanking pair.
which drew double seated vehicle |
spick and span.
II think we'd better make the trip
a quick one" was all he said in an
swer to Jessy's expostulation.
Almost before she knew it she was
sitting beside him. bowling along the
turnpike ut the teams best pace. AS
quickly her mother was gathered up.
and, the hand luggage properly be-
slowed Jimmy amazed JeSsy by bid
ling her sit behind, adding, II want to
ak TO nanny and these horses don't
ct me turn my head for any consider
able time"
Jessy began TO feel desperately lone
y-she could not even divert herself
~ watching the dazzle of the flying
'pokcs as the wheels spun round.
Jimmy was driving very fast. and
,eeping TO the turnpike, 1t must be he
meant to take them through town
hat, 10 doubt, accounted for his choice
L rig. She knew he hated Il shabby
uttit especially upon Saturdays and
0urt days II might be he had bust.
ess that could not wait-but some
ow she felt that he was unkind to
llnk Of anything but her extremity.
hen she sanl. into Il sort Of daze, won
erlng duly how it would seem to find
erself pauper duly committed She :
nd not thought of that before--of
curse there were legal forms before
ley could claim the last refuge of the
and would not the authori-
es get back at grandma? She had a |
i'm Idea that well to do folk had TO q
1swer for their near kin
No doubt that was what Jimmy was =
leaking about-he was talking low 7
I'd eagerly TO mamma. Yes. he was d
Irning the horses toward the court G
1use square. In a wink they drew c
, there. and Jimmy. springing down. J.
Id out his arms to her. "You know O
ere e-arrangements-w you trust v
q 10 make them?" he asked very low. u
Jessica could only bow her head: u
czech was beyond her. Jimmy looked L
her, his eyes tender. yet mischievous. o
want TO commit you for life TO a II
'Orhouse of which / am keeper" he II
lispered. Mamma is willing. What
you say
Nothing Jessica said, but as she
id ii she laid her hand In Jimmy's a
'Ong clasp. and dropped her long