West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-07-23

The pd's OF u0 seine hung room pan-
tshcd.
headlong over footsiool Jessie laugh
ed so heartily and long that he had 10
throw all the couch pillows at her to
make her hush.
In such wise life was speeding for
them on the day when Bob Babbltt
first felt The power that the giftIe gl'ed
him.
But let us get back TO our lamb and
mint sauce.
When Bob got home that evening he
found Jessie In long apron cutting
up lobster for the newburg Usually
when Bob came I'm mellow from his
hour mt the bar his welcome was hilarl.
Gus, though somewhat tincturcd with
Scotch smoke.
BY screams and snntches OF song
and certain audible testimonials TO do
nestle felicity was his advent pro-
claimed. When she heard his foot on
the stairs the old maid I'm the hall
room always stuffed cotton into her
ears. At first Jessie had shrunk from
the rudencss and flavor OF these spir-
itual greetings, but as the fog OF the
false Bohemia gradually encompassed
her she came TO accept them MS loves
true and proper greeting
Bob came in without II word, smiled.
kissed her neatly, but noiselcssly, took
up paper ana sat down. In the hall
room the old maid held her two plugs
OF cotton poised, filed with anxiety.
Jessie dropped lobster and knife and
ran TO him with frightened eyes.
Whats the matter Bob? Are you
illT
"NOt at all, dear"
Then what's the matter with your
Nothing"
Hearken, brethren. When She.who-
has-a-right-to-ask interrogates you con
corning a change she finds I'm your
mood answer her thus: Tell her that
you In sudden rage have murdered
your grandmother; tell her that you
have robbed orphans and that remorse
has stricken you; tell her your fortune
is swept away; that you are beset by
enemies, by bunions. by any kind OF
maleyolent fate. but do not, II peace
and happiness are worth as much as a
grain Of mustard seed 10 you-do not
answer her Nothing"
Jessie went back 60 the lobster in
silence. She cast looks OF darkest sus.
picion at Bob. He had never acted
that way before.
When dinner was on the table she
set out the bottle OF Scotch and the
glasses. Bob declined.
Tell you the truth, Jess" he said,
I've cut out the drink. Help your
self. OF course. n you don't mind I'll
try some Of the setter straight"
you've stopped drinkingf" she said.
looking at him steadily and unsmlling.
~. "What forT
1T wasn't doing me any good" said
Bob. Don't you approve Of the idea ?"
Jessie raised her eyebrows and one
shoulder slightly.
Entirely" she said. with a sculp-
turcd smile II could not cOnscien-
tiously advise any one TO drink or
smoke or whistle on Sunday"
The meal was finished almost in 81
lence. Bob tried to make talk, but his
efforts lacked the stimulus OF previous
evenings lie felt miserable. and once
or twice his eye wandered toward the
bottle, but each time The scathlng
words Of his bibulous friend sounded
In his ear and his mouth set with de
termination.
Jessie felt the change deeply The
essence Of their lives seemed TO have
departed suddenly. The restless fever.
the false gayety. the unnatural excite
ment Of the shoddy Bohemia In which
they had lived had dropped away In
the space Of the popping OF n cork.
She stole curious and forlorn glances
0t the detected Bob who bore the
guilty look OF at least n wife beater
or a family tyrant
After dinner the colored maid who
came IN daily 90 perform such chores
cleared away the things Jessie. with
an unrcadable countcnance. brought
back the bottle Of Scotch and the
glasses and bowl Of cracked ice and
set them on the table.
May ! ask" she said. with some OF
the icc I'm her tones. whether / am TO
be included in your sudden spasm Of
goodness7 II not. I'll make one for
myself It's rather chilly this evening
FOR some reason"
"Ob, come now, Jess said Bob
good naturedly. don't be too rough on
me. Help yourself by al means.