The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-11
CHAPTER IIf.-continucd.

She had been IN Seiklrks, the traper's.
until an unpleAsartncss had occurred,
andtthen she was called to the bnr."
mat was q Joke on the young gentle
men. The real bar-governor was stout
Emily, a big, jolly woman OF forty
five or more. who came on duty late
in the afternoon. and who could man
age crowd and maintain discipline.
She wore black silk at night. whereas
Jessie, her junior. wore a stiff-gown.
The young men always asked Jessie
wt1en she was going to take elk, but
she did not understand what they ment
In general company she seemed
afraid OF tho gentlemen's Jokes. not
knowing when they would go too far,
She was quite devoid OF rcpartec. She
liked an empty saloon. and to sit on
her stool reading her Slignonette novel
II a gentleman came In then, she would
find something to say for herself.
Big Emily was thorough good sort,
and could really keep order. Al her
age she was ripe for . highly seasoned
anecdote, but ~ would stand no non
sense before the girl.
Now, Mr.. Padfield" she would say
roundly. that's enough. please. Mod
crate your. tongue Kindly. or so out.
side and wng 1t In tho street. You'll
find someone out there that's fond OF
Dirt
In this staunch manner she guarded
the young lady under her chaparonage.
and prevented inGecorous conyersa-
ton from reaching those youthful ears.
She never relayed her care, although
privily che held q poor opinion OF Jes.
sic and had already detached her to be
rather little puss.
Auburn haired Jessie WAS all alone
with her paper novel now. when Mr..
Jack entered through the service door.
She laid aside the pamphlet and locked
up with smile.
what" said Jessie. rising. can i
give your
you can give me a kiss" said Mr.
Vincent.
"Oh, you shall have that. But mean.
wnat d'you want to drink? Scotch anu
soda. as per usual?"
We'll" said Mr. Vincent ut must
be very small ono II / do. My Dear
Jessie-just small one"
Puff. Puff. too?'' inquired Jessie.
as sho put the soda-water, bottle Into
the patent concentrating machine.
Want a Gig? There: I'll light 1t for
you. There. Say ta--''
Now you're happy" And Jessie
gave little laugh. II wished you to
smoke, because--because I've got some.
thing to say to you. Jack.
She was good.looking girl. slim.
and trim OF figure In her severe black
gown. Her bronze-coloured hair was
quite pretty, and grew prettily about
her white forehead; her skin was natur-
ally white, and her lips were red and
weli-shaped: she ought to have been a
really attractive girl. but somehow she
was spoilt by her rather cold bluish-
grey eyes. Perhaps 1t was in her, eyes
that large Emily rad read the secret
of her being at heart puss.
Look here. jack" said Jessie pres
entity. you don't like me-not as you
used to like me- Jack. You know you
don't 1t makes me very wretched.
Yes. II does"
What nonsense" said Jack, sup.
pressing yawn. my dear girl. who
could help liking your"
"You did Ike me once
II do still"
II wonder!" and Jessie twined her
white fingers round the sifver-plated
held her head slightly
on ono side. smiled, and spoke shyly,
slowly, hesitating,y. lack. II was
to call on you osprove II?
II thought I'd done that"
Jessie flushed. gave the squasher a
sharp squeeze. and spoke faster.
Don't talk foolish. Jack. What ]
mean is-Jf was to ask you to do me
a great favour--to help me by doing
me real service.
.'well, I'd do 1t II / could
IT wonder-I wonder II you would!
You would-certain sure-if you really
liked me-"
Jack Vincent yawned again.
What is It, Jessie 2"
"oh it isn't now. But-perhaps-
later on--I'll pluck up all my poor lit-
tie courage and ask you.".
"All right and Mr.. Vincent was on
the point OF leaving the saloon.
'Jack." cried Jessie very reproach-
fully, Aren't YOU going to take your
kiss?" And she stretched forward
above the liqueur deccanters.
my dear Jessie, beg yourapardo on,
b don't know what I was thinking
about" And he came back and gave
her perfunctory embrace.
CHAPTER III
When Lizzie Crundcnsleft school her
father had definitely retired from busi-
ness. 1t had taken long time to wind
UP his affairs, to withdraw his capital
from bricks and mortar. dispose Of his
yard, stock in trade, etc, and lapse into
private Elife. But now, on Llzzie's re-
turn; he had been completely out OF
business for two months.
He had retired wisely. In + Medford
the builders trade had fallen to noth-
Ing, The town had settled down
sleepily, and seemed content with its
present size and Importance. There
was, In fact,no possibilityfo OF onttnued
expansion. All the open ground had
been covered with the modern red
brick Villas. No more ground was
available. There were left only tho
crown woods and common. and my
Lady Haddenham's land; and these, It
went without saying. would never BIO
available for building enterprises. Any
chance big job, such as theHn wing
to WAGES brewery, or selkirk's domed
halls, always went to some INTERFERING
London firm. 1T was the hour to stop
work, fold your hands, and sit ,tight
on your savings
Lizzie. an this lastsreturn from East
bourne, .ound some slight changes at
Kings Cattage. Nearly all tokens OF
an office had gone from the big room;
the brass plate had been taken from
the outer door, and the screw oles had
peeniiplugged and retnched with paint
p.3 "a n, /, n al,