Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-10

the weather and from thence by strange course
of reasoning, to the lion above the mantel my
younger sister was over two months doing tnat MI.
Kent Conscientious wasn't the word for 1t. She was
a great sufferer too poor soul--chronic asthma-but
nothing but her art seemed to give her relief Manys
the time she's said to me, Emma, once get my thumb
through the palate breathe easier. That fruit piece
behind you That's good deal admired
Would you believe me, Mr. Kent" she laid a bernged
hand conddentally Jims arm as he rose, miser-
ably to face the fruit piece-"Woud you believe me,
that she six months painting that? AS each fruit
came in she'd paint itfrom the original, you
know. There's thirtysix varieties there, actually,
and she was so conscientious about doing them JUS
tice that believe not Mr.. Kent, two pineapples
spoiled her, before she'd painted them in.
He mumbed what meant to be an appreciative
response and waited for the word with which she
would introduce the subject of her daughters in
fatuation. Naturally, having looked upon him, she
would be loath to lose him from the family as 1t
were, and he felt the bonds tightening by the min
courage to mention her daughters name that he
found Mrs. Tompkns even more embarrassed than
he was himself. She seemed to give herself cour--
age by surrepttious glance at the crayon portrait
the easel before she answered
well Mr. Kent" she said Il suppose might as
we'll out with it first last, though do think as
told Ruby, that it asking great DEAL and
l always did hate to be the bearer Of bad news but
it's all in a lifetime and you're young. and we all
have disappointments and the fact is. Mr.. Kent,
that Ruby wanted me to tell you that she saw Mr..
Usbeck last night and they made up and the fact is
that they're out riding together now. They're"
For moment the boys head seemed to spin He
wanted to realize and couldn't though he vaguely
understood for heetng moment what 1t means to q
the gallows to hear galloping horse and
the shrek of "Reprieve Reprieve" from the mob
"Mr. Usbeck?" he murmured. and there really
seemed something beautiful in the name.
Poor Mrs. Tompkins turned deeper shade Of red,
but withal assumed sterner dignity. Il supposed
she'd told you, Mr.: Kent about Mr.. usbeck-Mr |.
Henry Usbeck He's in the wholesale liquor business
Main street-wholesale That's his picture there
the easel he gave it to Ruby last Christmas.
They'd kept company for two years. but before she
went way last summer they had quarrel and Ruby
sent him back his ring, of course, when she met
you Mr.. Kent-and don't say she wasn't fond Of
you For all he's smart man. he can't write poetry
like you, and told Ruby when she read it to
Well, it's just this: Mr.. Usbeck was here last night
and they made up, and they're going to be married
in the fall and Ruby didn't have the courage to tell
you herself Mr. Kent, though I'm it's her place
to and not mine She had an idea that you'd take
on dreadful"
She looked at him spprehensively and no inward
monitor informed her that the happiest ten minutes
of her guests life came to him he sat there in
plush chair with his feet in General Grants face
and realized that his youthful spendor and elegance
and knowledge had been completely overshadowed
by gentleman with blonde pompadour who con-
Quoted Wholesale liquor business Add to this the
feeling that his shackles had been struck off at
blow with hysterical desire to give way to mirth.
and you may imagine his state of mind.
He deliciously happy that it was all he could
do to keep from embracing Mrs. Tompkins. Instead
he the decences of the occasion and fattered
himself that he gave very good imitation of a
crushed and rejected sutor looking for the door,
He wrung Mrs. Tompkns reluctant hand they
parted and the message he left for Ruby Hazel
breathed pathetic remuneration that almost moved
the good woman to tears.
He could have patted the plaster dog and the iron
jockey the head, as he left the yard free
He went back to the deserted city house, and the
same instinct that leads the to revisit his
batefelds induced him to pick up his diary and turn
to the days when he and Ruby Hazel were all in all
to each other There the golden record-all
rainbows, thunderbolts and wings emanatng from a
botty fountain pen Let it be recorded that first
he sighed. then blushed to his ears and suddenly
laughed-the genuine but amazed chuckle with which
a boy laughs at himself for the first time-and hear
ing this the special providence for the protection of
cubs might have nodded and gone its way; for when
boy learns how to laugh at himself he has learned
a great deal beside, and is in immediate need of
of youth