Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22

She was quite sure it would be the best
thing for Jack-although he might not at
first believe this; she WIS fond of Jack
and wished him well; finally, after careful
consideration, extending over two or three
years, she made up her mind as to the
future Of Jack and herself. Henceforth.
in all that she said. she was trying to
bring Jack round to her way of thinking;
to entangle him in such a thought-maze
that he should eventually mink that Wat
she wished him to think was what he
himself had thought originally.
She used to speak with emotion of the
dear old past when they were first drawn
| to one understanding. of course all
| reference to the drawing power of such
ugly magnets as the White Hart bar and
its high stools, etc.
Those were the happy times. Jack
when we had nothing to worry us. And
why shouldn't such times come again.
oh said Jack cheerfully, 1.-The times
| aren't bad now. as times co.
Il knew you liked me-" said Jessie. with
much feeling, almost directly. More by
your eyes than by what you said. 1 be-
| lieve a girl can tell a good deal better by
mans eyes than his lips. And then /
tested you, Jack. didn't 4? And that
came forward SO nobly-proving it by CIV
"Oh. don't go back to that, Jessie. You
were quite welcome to it. ONLY wish you
| had done better with your business
IF it had been the success l hoped, you
have Udu your share, JACK. SS,
you should. I'd have paid you good per-
centage out Of all profits. But that odious
woman has swindled me-yes, robbed me
of all you trusted to me-
IAN right, Jessie; II the money is gone,
1t isn't worth talking about, and I'm sor-
ry can't offer you any more"
1t became apparent to Jessie, after
many conversations, that little was to be
done with Jack by appeals to sentiment
rather than to reason. His thoughts had
hQcnrna CO cot hot no ofrHy 90
could not entangle them; instead of turn
ing and twisting bewildered in her maze,
they broke fence and got out the nearest
way.
cent in thoroughly practical and bust
nesslike manner.
Jack, I'm sick to death of Medford I'm
not doing any good here-and the longer
1 stay I do believe the worse it will be-
"Oh, don't say that, Jessie
And l can't see that you are doing any
good either. What's the use of Shaving
for a stingy old hedgehog, like Mr.. Crun-
den? He's imposing on you all the time.
He'll work you till you drop. without
ter how rich he grows, he won't give you
percentage out of his riches. Why
shouldn't you and l just up stick together
and go to London?"
no London?'' said Jack. blankly. This
was at the very time when he himself
was considering if 1t would not be well
| for him to go to London and there seek
work: he was staggered by the proposal
| that he should take companion with
| him.
I'VE could be married before the regis
trar. No larks. Jack. I'm not going
| without the ring"
Mr.. Vincent was greatly embarrassed.
| 1t was an occasion on which 1t Is exceed
| ingly difficult to say mo" courteously. yet
| firmly, and without giving offense. With
apologize murmurs, vague gestures and
stammering expressions of regret. Mr..
Vincent explained that Jessie's slowly ma
tured decision must be reversed. Her plan
for his future welfare was impossible.
why not? / can get my two pounds a
| week in London-and later on can try
| to shop there. Meantime you'll be earn
| ing money-more money than you'll get
here. believe l could do grand In a
| London shop of my own-without any
odious woman to interfere with me. And
| I can trust you for worker-not one
| who'd let your wife slave for you while
| you went about Idle. Do let's do 1t. And
| If ever we make our 'fortune-you being a
| gentleman can put me into society and we
can forget the shop, and swagger with
| the best of them"
It was painfully diffcultao thank Jessie
| for her confidence while refusing to take
| advantage of It, She would believe that a
| polite NO" really meant bashful Yes
| When she reopened the matter. Jack had
| the letter from Messrs. Griggs concealed
| about his person, and he felt that her
bright. cold eyes would penetrate to his
| inner breast pocket and read the secret.
| He felt that IL she knew how Griggs were
now offering him four pounds a week, she
would drag him by his coat-tails to The
| registrar"
| The last discussion of this delicate mat.