The Democratic advocate., 1909-08-06
JIMMY
OPPORTUNITY.
A Very important Conversation
That Settled Matters.
ax AARRlEr LuMMls sMlTH.

fz0tiOn he included even Carroll. TOr
II 1t had not been for Carroll's con-
nivance, her tame submission to the
maneuvers of interfering relatives. the
words which had trembled on his lips
for three dragging months would have
been spoken long ago.
From the standpoint OF dlsinter-
ested spectator Jimmy was ready to
admire the cleverness which so far
had circumvcnted him. Good team
work." he denominated It The In
genious air with which Grandmother
Reynolds would appear to claim Car
rolls assistance III regard to dropped
stitch in her knitting just when jim
my was bringing matters to a cli-
max and Carroll was turning a most
becoming pink was only equaled by the
childlike innocence with which Car
rolls small brother would rush bawi-
handkerchief held to his nose, inter
rupting an eloquent outbreak begin
ming "Since the first hour | saw you
In Jimmy's estimation this was all
the harder to bear because he was so
perfectly eligible. Character and pros.
poets alike were beyond question. The
most serious accusation that could be
brought against the match was that
both OF them were young. Carroirs
sister, Marie. was OF the opinion that
an engagement would be absurd. and
Jimmy thought he knew why. II
George Freeman. Marie's latest ad-
mlrer. had been as eager to propose as
Jimmy was, the latter young man felt
positive that no obstacles would be put
in his way
With a duplicity foreign TO his usu-
ally frank nature. Jimmy lost no op.
poTtuuity Of expressing TO Freeman the
admiration with which Marie inspired
him, II the older sister were once en-
gagged or, better still. married, Jimmy
believed there would be hope for him
Meanwhile the family opposition
showed itself in n system Of espionage
which Kept Jlmmy's great ayowal un-
spoken. If he suggested walk, either
Mrs, Reynolds declared that Carroll's
cold would not permit her TO venture
out or Marie invited herself TO accom-.
pany them: II the theater, n cbaperOn
was necessary Whole souled cooper
alton on CAROLS part would have re-
lieved the situation. but the girl knew
so well what Jimmy wanted that her
modesty shrnuk from giving him any.
thing but the most negative assistance
Accordingly Jimmy decided that she.
too, was against him and gave him.
self up 10 thoughts OF unutterable
gloom.
He called one afternoon wearing an
expression OF grim determination
which. If he had known II, put the con.
spirators on their guard. He was ush.
cred into the family living room. and
Mrs. Reynolds entertained him till Car
roll came down. Jimmy made n few
inane comments on the weather. his
eyes devourlng the pretty glrlIsh tig-
ure seated demurely IN the opposite
corner.
Its too fine day for the house"
said Jimmy. suppose we take lit
tie walk"
Really. Carroll. dear" said Mrs.
Reynolds before Carroll could reply,
lit won't do for you to leave the house.
Mrs. Baker is likely TO want you any
moment. We have dressmaker here.
Mr.. Fitzgerald" she continued. turn
ing to Jimmy with her most charming
smile.
Cant we sit on the piazza?" sug.
gested Jimmy Carroll agreed to the
suggestion. But, as II proved. her
small brother. Bob. was in possession
Of the hammock, and he remained for
two hours, enllvening the occasion by
describing the exploits of the ball
team.
An ear splitting whistle IN the rear
of the house relieved them at length
of Bob's company. without delay
Jimmy plunged into the subject up
permost in bis mind.
Carroll. there's something want
to say TO you
Carroll, Mrs, Baker is ready for
you" said Marie's voice behind the
parlor shutters. That she had been
waiting there, bidlng her time. Jimmy
could not doubt. Then the gate click.
ed. and Mr. Reynolds came up the
walk. He settled himself In the chair
Carroll had vacated. and he and Jimmy
talked politics Till dinner time.
The young man refused an invita-.
tlon TO remain TO dinner. He went
away With lowering brow and a
heavy heart. But at half past o that
evening the telephone bell rang, In.
ierrupting a game of bridge going on
10 the den. Carroll, who was nearest
10 the msistent instrument. pushed
back her chair and went to answer
the summons.
Hello hello! oh. yes. this Is Car.
roll She turned a pretty. flushed
face toward the three at the card table.
"Plense don't talk for a minute.
can't hear"
The next minute she heard very dis.
unctly. for the room had become abso.
lutely still. and the vu ut the other
end Of he wire was clear and penetrat.
ing
This is Jimmy, Carroll There's
something I've been trying TO say to
You for three months. And Im going
to say II now"
why. don't see"-
well. II doesn't matter whether you
see or not Just listen. Ever since
met you on Phil Reynolds yacht
year ago I've loved you-from the
very first hour"
"Oh. hush.'
SIN not going 20 hush think about
you every minne while I'm awake
and dream aboul you when I'm asleep
I'm not any good any more. and