Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-15

through" declared Jimmie as he put
his arm about her shoulders and went
in to welcome Aunt Adra.
Jimmie was genuinely fond of his
maiden aunt, even If she did call him
James. Sometimes he wished that he
did not have expectations from her
so that he might insist upon her call
ing him Jimmie
1t was the first time since his mar
riage that he had seen her. He mar
| ried Dolly because he could not help
| it. From the moment that he had set
eyes on her as she stepped on the
stage at studio recital Jimmie had
| told himself that she was the one wo-
man in the world whom he wanted for
q wife After that he was in the
hands of fate.
| Two months later they were mar
ried, and it was not until they had sat
themselves down to address the wed
ding invitations that Jimmie even
thought of asking Aunt Adra's permits
sion.
| A long letter of explanation had
gone with the invitation, and the re-
Spouse had been a plated berry spoon
and promise from the old lady to pay
| them a visit.
Now, she was none the less welcome
because she had come unannounced,
and there was real sincerity in Jim
mics greeting. Aunt Adra unbent a
little as he came in, but as they went
out to dinner Jimmie was conscious Of
a certain air OF dlsapproyal which bore
down on his spirits
For Jimmie was proud of the little
woman he had married and wanted all
the world to approve his choice. In
deed he could not understand how one
lcould do otherwise.
All through the evening this feeling
wet blanketed their pleasure. For the
first time the little parlor seemed dis
tasteful to him. For the first time Dis
content was a guest.
1t was not that Jimmie was discon-
tented with his wife. 1t was the first
time that he was discontinued with his
home. The tiny parlor was no longer
the center of paradise. and as Jimmie
kissed Mrs. Jimmie good night be
Iii
long, since Aunt Adra was clearly as
unhappy as themselves.
But the visit did endure far beyond
the first week 1t was well toward the
end of the first month that Jimmie
was startled by the appearance of
Aunt Adra at the office.
is there anything the matter with
Dolly" he gasped.
| Aunt Adra shook her head.
"She is well, so far as | know" she
answered coldly. II want You to come
out and have lunch with me. That is
che purpose of my visit here"
| | It was the work of minute to ar
range with the managing clerk for q
little additional time at lunch, and Jim
| ME led the way to the quiet cafe
/ where he had often entertained his
aunt before.
Then they had been jolly little occa
sions; now she sat grim faced and
silent, while her nephew devoted him
self to his lunch Not until the table
had been cleared and only the coffee
cups were left did she speak.
81 have kept silent as long as
could James" she began. But thi:
morning something occurred that ! fell
you should be Informed OF.
II have tried to like your wife be
cause she is your wife. l have with
held criticism and have sought to in
dorse your choice even while the frs
glimpse told me that you have beer
roped in by designing woman. Don
say anything" she commanded hur
riedly as Jimmie sought to make oh
lection. 81 know what l am talkin;
about. There never was man VIII,
was match for woman.
81 made up my mind to overlook th.
oxtravagant taste in dress that lead
her to wear silks and satins. I owe
looked the fact that you have plan
that is of "a far more expensive max