Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-01-21
Reversing a
Decision.
BY EDITH MELNO.


Bentful OF the elevator boys patroniz-
Ing pat on the head. Men who came
downtown on business should not be
patted on the head even If their moth
ers do possess foolish ideas that curis
are cute. Men on business bent always
act Importantly and should be treated
with Difference.
The pat had the effect of stiffening
Thomas Henderson Howie's small
backbone to an unusual degree of ram
rod stiffness, and 1t was a very pom
pous six-year-old who entered Dorring-
toms office.
Tim Darlington looked up from a
pile of papers with genial smile.
welcome to our city, Mr.. Thomas
Henderson Howie," he cried. "And
what good fortune brings You to the
officer Surely you are not about to be
sued for breach Of promise7 am
afraid OF that little Houston girl, or
perhaps It Is the embezzlement OF pre-
serves again.
TITS a letter." explained Tommy
stiffly, as he delivered the square
white envelope into Tins trembling
hands. Il win be going now" he add
ed as he turned away. Tim raised his
hand.
Wait moment, please" he asked.
There may be an answer"
Tommy climbed into the biggest
chair and settled himself with quaint,
old fashioned gravity, while Dorring-
ton opened and read the note. Twice
the man read It, though the first time
the words had scared themselves into
his brain
1t was cold, almost curt note in
which Jessie HOWE acknowledged the
honor he had done her in Offering to
make her his wife, an honor she de-
clined, regretting that there had been
anything In their friendship to lead
him to believe that the friendship
might grow to greater intimacy.
Darlington smiled bitterly as he read
the last few lines. Surely he had had
every reason to hope for favorable
answer to his letter. Jessie had been
tenderness itself with a sigh he
thrust the letter into his pocket and
turned to his small visitor.
II regret, Thomas Henderson Howie,"
he said In the playful banter that had
been suggested by the child's quaint
dignity-"I regret that my pleasurable
anticlpations of wild dissipation in
soda water and candy in celebration
Of an important event have been dash
ed to earth. But man turns to drink
both to express his Joys and drown his
sOrrows. Therefore l pray you to de-
scend with me TO the drug store on the
ground floor and assist me In the lat
ter ceremony. They have hot choco-
late with whipped cream"
mo, thank you," said Tommy polite
". Il don't want any soda"
Perhaps you prefer the stronger
dpple Of beef tear" suggested Dorrlng-
ton. 1T is cup that cheers without
inebrlety and can be rendered quite
palatnble II YOU use enough celery salt
to disguise the flavor OF the beef ex.
tract. Shall we goY"
Il don't want to 60 with you," said
Tommy stolidly, Il don't like you
any more. You make Jessie cry
That" said Tom, SIS what they call
an inversion Of facts. Your sister has
made me cry"
I'm glad Of It." said Tommy cruelty.
''YOu made her cry lots"
you are sure?" asked Darlington
quickly. "She was crying over my
letterr'
Lots" declared Tommy with a
sweeping gesture that suggested a
very food OF tears. II went to her
room to get her to sew the tail on my
dog again. She was crying awfully,
and she was kissing your letter and
saying things"
Darlington moved closer to the boy.
you don't remember what she said,
do your he pleaded gently. See If
you can't think, Tommy, boy. Try hard,
iaddie.s
Thomas Henderson Howie knitted
his brows thoughtfully and assisted
the mental process by solemnly wrlg-
Cling his right foot.
1T was something about mean |
sacrifice" he said at last. SACRIFICES"
ne added informatively, SIS where the |
Indians kill people and burn 'em up."
The operation is bloodless and the |
fires are internal nowadays" said Dor. |
ringtOn softly. what else did she
sayY'
"She said How can l do itY and |
then she cried some more" continued |
Tommy. ''Then there was something
about for fathers sake. and mother
came In and said something about |
duty and then something about Mr.. |
Bowen, and Jessie cried lots more. and /
then she wrote the letter, And she
gave me penny for myself and
kissed me-"
For moment Darlington sat stun
ned. He had invested heavily In sub
urban real estate, and much of his cap.
ital was tied up in land. but Dorrlng-
ton had not guessed that Mr.. HowIe's
need was so great that he had been
compelled to go to Bowen.
For nearly year Cyrus Bowen had
sought to make Jessie the fourth Mrs.
Bowen. Mrs, Howie had favored his