The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-12-24

She WILLS AND BEQUEATHS To YOU THIS
PORTRAIT OF YOURSELF"
you are, Jimmy Bookwalter," declared
Bayard as he flung the letter across
the tiny hall room. You've got
rich father who gives you more spend
ing money in month than you could
earn in a year, besides which you're
too lazy to fall in love. l hope you
won't misunderstood me, Jimmy,
when tell you that the space you Oc-
cupy in my luxurious apartment is
much more valuable than your august
presence at the present moment"
Jimmy rose from the uncomfortable
straight backed chair, which was the
only one in the room. Bayard had
given it to him when he entered and
had taken a corner of the bed for him
self
"Oh, see" mused Jimmy. want
to get dressed. eh? Well, so long till
tomorrow night. Be sure you show
up at the club and dine with me at
z sharp"
When he was gone Rayard put the
inhospitable chair up on the bed to
make more room and took a suit of
clothes from under the Cretonne cur
tain which covered his meager ward
robe.
1t did not take long to select tie,
because he only had six or seven.
Bayard seemed to be going through
mental relncarnation during this proc
eSs of dressing. First he said disa-
greeable things-not whole sentences,
but just pertinent CALCULATIONS, such as
"old fossil" Ought not to be out with
out keeper" "envy me. indeed"
A little later he began to whistle
snatches of popular songs, nervous lit
tie thrills. And finally, with stick in
hand. he opened the door of his room,
humming in most contented manner,
"Love Me Little, Love Me Long" Aft
er ALL life was worth while!
Virginia Tracey and Bayard Leigh
ton had been engaged some months
Bayard'S father had lived like a rich
man, and when he died suddenly the
son found himself peuniless. Brought
up to lead an idle life unframed for
practical work, he took the first posi-
tion offered to him in brokers' office
at $15 week.
That seemed all right until he sud
denly realized that without Virginia
nothing was right. Recklessly he ask
ed her to marry him, and with all the
impulsiveness of her love she gave her
self to him. They were young, and
they could wait Aunt Lucy. Bayard's
maiden aunt, had promised to make
him her heir. and decidedly Aunt Lucy
was no longer young.
When Bayard was blue, Virginia
seemed to be doubly radiant and to-
night she was at her best as she enter
ed her drawing room to greet him.
Had letter from Aunt Lucy,
dear" Bayard announced as an impor-
tant piece of news.
'GOody," cried Virginia. "and what
did the dear old lady have to say for
herself"
she told me how fortunate / was to
have you care for me. for one thing"
began Bayard as he watched the color
mount to Virginia's cheeks at the COM
pliment. "Then she said lot Of rot
about But let's talk about the pleas
ant things. You do Care for me, don't
your he added.
SILLY! Silly! OF course l dO"' she
cried. you're silly for whole lot of
reasons-silly to make me wait to be
really yours until you can take me to
a fine home, but If you are satisfied to
take toothless old woman for wife
--well''-
And when Bayard went home that
night he was still humming a happy
air.
He took the chair Off the bed,
tucked 1t in one corner Of the room
and stretched himself out for the
night.
In after years he talked much about
that room. He always declared that
he could open the door with his hand
and the window with his foot at the
same time; that If he bent over to
lace up his boots he butted his head
against the side wall, and when he