The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-08-06
Reversing a
Decision.
nv EDITH MElNO
By EDITH MELNO.
Copyrighted, 1907 by c. II. sutcllne.

ers do possess foolish ideas that curls
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 it was very pom
pous six -year-old who entered Dorring-
toms office.
Tim Dorrington 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
office? Surely you are not about to be
sued for breach of promise? l am
afraid of that little Houston girl, or
perhaps It is the embezzlement of pre-
serves again.
ITS a letter." explained Tommy
stiflly, as he delivered the square
white envelope into Tins trembling
hands. 81 will be going now" he add
ed as he turned away. Tim raised his
hand
"Wait moment, please" he asked.
| lnefe 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 I'm
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 sigh he
thrust the letter into his pocket and
turned to his small visitor.
II regret, Thomas Henderson IIowie''
he said in the playful banter that had
been suggested by the child's quaint
dignity-"I regret that my pleasurable
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"
"No, thank you," said Tommy polite
ly. II don't want any soda"
perhaps you prefer the stronger
tipple Of beef tea?" suggested Dorring-
ton. 1T is a cup that cheers without
inebriety and can be rendered quite
palatable If you use enough celery salt
to disguise the flavor of the beef ex-
tract. Shall we go?'
81 don't want to go with YOU" said
Tommy stolidly. 81 don't like you
any more. You make Jessie cry"
THAT" said Tom, "is what they call
an inversion of facts Your sister has
made me cry"
"Im glad Of it," said Tommy cruelty
you made her cry lots"
"You are sure?" asked Dorringtor
quickly. "She was crying over my
letter.?
"Lots," declared Tommy with a
sweeping gesture that suggested
very flood of tears. IL 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"
Dorrington 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. |
laddie."
Thomas Henderson Howie knitted |
his brows thoughtfully and assisted |
the mental process by solemnly wrig-
Cling his right foot
1T was something about mean
sacrifice" he said at last. Sacrifices"
he added informatively, ''is where the
Indians kill people ana burn 'em up"
"The operation is bloodless and the
fires are internal nowadays" said Dor
rington softly. What else did she
say?"
"She said How can | do it?' and
then she cried some more" continued
Tommy. "Then there was something
about for fathers sake, and mother
came in and said something abou.
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 Dorrington sat stun
urban real estate, and much Of his cap
ital was tied up in land, but Dorring-
ton had not guessed that Mr. Howie's
need was so great that he had been
to go to Bowen.
For nearly year Cyrus Bowen had
sought to make Jessie the fourth Mrs.
Bowen. Mrs. HOWE had favored his
suit for the matron was ambitious for
her daughter but 1t must have been
Hire need that caused blunt Henry
IIowie to add his influence. Dorring-
ton turned To Tommy.
Thomas Henderson lIowie," he said
quietly II pledge you the word of one
nan TO another that | did not make
Jessie cry. WIN you mind the Office
He swung the youngster into the big
,hair before the roll top desk, supplied
lim with pencil and pad and slipped
rom the room. 1t was less than
block to the office building In which