The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-05-12
POOR JIMMY'S
DILEMMA
By CLAUDINR SISSON

At the Reid house there was great
excitement and hustle of preparation
People came and went: the telephone
bell buzzed madly: the grocer was at
the back door; the florist at the side
door; in the kitchen two neighbors
who had come in to help were icing
cake and cracking nuts; in the parlor
there was litter Of potted plants and
ribbon: upstairs in the best chamber
q hock Of girls were chattering over
the opening Of great box that had
just been sent in from the dressma.
ker's. All the house smelled of coffee
and carnations. Of roses and chicken.
The reason Of all this was that Ada
Reid was to be married that evening.
She had come from the city where she
had been employed for three years.
with a new diamond ring and trunk.
full Of new clothes. and noticeable air
Of importance.
During the two weeks since, there
had been a constant furry Of coming
and going. chatter and laughter. Ada
was center of admiration and inter
est. She had been showered and feted
and Toasted to WEAKNESS. But now
there was fresh thrill. for the car
rtage had been sent to the station to
meet the bridegroom and his best man,
who were scheduled to arrive by the
five o'clock express from the city.
Jimmy Reid. Ada's elder and only
brother. wearing very uncomfortable
collar and glowing new tie, was
standing about helplessly. feeling very
much IN the way and miserably con-
scious that he was too big to stand in
the corner. He was d tall young fell
low. with dark, sober face that was
at once proud and shy and sensitive.
He was silent soul. with large
opinion Of all things human, save him
SELF II he had placed the proper esti-
mate upon his own mental and physi-
cal excellence he would long ago have
spoken his mind to little Julia Carr.
who was his sisters dearest friend, and
with whom he had been In love since
his earliest boyhood.
Julia was there now. fitting about
the house upon the innumerable little
errands of prospective bridesmaid.
Once In a while she threw him
glance or pushed him aside as she
passed. Even these crumbs of her ia
vor were better than none. and Jimmy.
patiently adoring. was glad to be able
to watch her as she came and went
before him.
From kitchen to parlor he roamed in
Q sorry state Of restlessness and inapti-
tude. In the parlor at length he came
to halt. regarding dazedly the con-
struction of the floral arch underneath
which the ceremony was to be per-
formed. He had done most of the work
upon 1t under Julia's direction. and she
had been a difficult taskmistress.
Never had his fingers seemed so clum-
~ or his wits 80 slow. Yet the thing
did look pretty now that it was done.
With pang OF jealousy Jimmy thought
Of the best man who was to stand
with Julia under that arch and share
the honors OF the occasion. Ada had
had 80 much to say in praise of him
and Of her betrothed-how elegant
they were, how faultless in manner.
Poor Jimmy. listening. was made to
feel "backwoodsy" and Objectionable
Girls liked handsome, stylish men.
Ada had chosen one He felt despair
ingly that she was inclined to make o
match between the best man and
Julia. when. of course, she must know
the state Of his feelings In regard to
the girl
How could he stand back and sec
Julia step under this arch with that
mana handsome man whom she
would probably be ready enough to fall
In love with. He clenched his hands
hercely. The arch danced mockingly
before his eyes. Then a bright little
voice called him to his senses.
Jimmy! Jimmy!" 1t was Julia. run.
ming downstairs. a radiant figure in her
thin pink dress. Jimmy. that package
hasn't come from Cramer's yet, though
I've 'phoned and 'phoned. We must
have it. It's something very special.
You 60 this minute and get It, And
blow the Cramers up property"
Jimmy stood feasting his hungry
eyes upon the vivid charm OF her face
and seething with unutterable longing.
She seized his arm and gave him a
shake.
Stupid! Do you hear? Now go and
do try to get back before your father
returns from the station with those
men. You'll hal to run"
She turned her back on him and left
the room.
Jimmy ran. 1t was some distance ia
Cramer's. As he hurried. he glanced
at his watch. In the far distance, he
heard the arriving train whistle. There
was no use in killing himself trying to
get back to the house before those men
reached there, and at any rate If he
did not he would be spared the misery
Of seeing Julia introduced to them. He
reached Cramer's in a rather breath
ess condition, nevertheless, to find thai
the package had been sent by a mes