The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-08-03

cumstances.
And then Jim: "You swallow
camel and stick at a gnat. Why
did you meet me here, If you
didn't expect me to make love TO
you? I've stood for a lot, Bella.
but this foolishness will have to
end. Either you love me-or you
don't. I'm desperate" He drew
a long, forlorn breath.
Poor old JIM" This was
Bella. A pause. Then-"Let
my hand alone!" Also Bella.
1T is my hand!"-Jim's most
fatuous tone. "There is where
you wore my ring. There's the
mark still" Sounds of Jim kiss
ing Bella's ring-finger. What
did you do with it? Throw it
away" More sounds.
Aunt Selma crossed the library
swiftly, and again l followed.
Bella was sitting in a low chair
by the fire. looking at the logs,
in the most exquisite negligee of
pink chiffon and ribbon. Jim was
on his knees, staring at her ador-
ingly. and holding both her hands.
I'll tell you secret" Bella
was saying, looking as coy as she
knew how-which was consider
able. 'I-I still wear it, ON a
chain around my neck"
On a chain around her neck |!
Bella, who is decolette whenever
it is allowable, and more than is
proper!
That was the limit of Aunt Sc
lina's endurance. Still holding
me, she stepped through the door
way and into the freight, a
fearful figure.
Jim saw her first. He went
quite white and struggled to get
up. smiling a sickly smile. Bella,
after her first surprise, was SUI
perbly Indifferent. She glanced
at us, raised her eyebrows, and
then looked at the clock.
More victims of insomnia
she said. won't you come in +?
Jim, pull up a chair by the fire
for your aunt"
Aunt Selma opened her mouth
twice, like fish, before she
could speak. Then
James, l demand that that
woman leave the housed" she said
hoarsely.
Bella leaned back and yawned
James, shall l go?" she asked
amiably.
Nonsense" Jim said, pulling
himself together as best he could
Look here, Aunt Selma, you
know she can't go out, and what
more, don't want her to CO."
"You-what?" Aunt Selma
screeched, taking a step forward
you have the audacity to say
such a thing to mel"
Bella leaned over and gave the
fire log a punch.
II was just saying that he
shouldn't say such things to me
either, she remarked pleasantly
I'm afraid you'll take cold, Miss
Caruthers. Wouldn't you like 6
hot sherry flip?"
Aunt Selma gasped. Then she
sat down heavily on one of the
carved teakwood chairs.
He said he loved you; heart
him." she said weakly. "He-h,
was going to put his arm arount
you!"
Habit" Jim put in, trying t,
smile. you see, Aunt Selma
it's-well, it's habit 1 got int
some time ago, and my arm
does it without my thinking abou
it,"
Habit" Aunt Selma repeated
her voice thick with passion. Thel
she turned to me. go to you
room at once!" she said in he
most awful tone. go to you
room and leave this-this shock
ing affair to me-"
But If she had reached he
limit, SO had I. If Jim chose t,
ruin himself, it was not my fault
Anyone with common sense. woul,
have known at least to close tn,
door before he went down on hi
knees, no matter to whom. S.
when Aunt Selma turned on M
and pointed in the direction O
the staircase, did not move.
II am perfectly wide awake"
said coldly. II shall go to be,
when I am entirely ready, and no
before. And as for Jim,s conduct
1 do not know much about tn
conventions in such cases, but !
he wishes to embrace Mis-
Knowles, and she wants him to
the situation is interesting, blu
hardly novel"
Auhb oChhd IOb6 SLOWLY ant
drew the folds of her dressing
gown around her, away from tn
contamination of my touch.
do you know what you ar,
saying?" she demanded hoarsely
81 do" I was quite white an,
stiff from my knees up, but beloy
l was wavery. l glanced at jim
for moral support, but he wa
looking idolatrously at Bella. A
for her, quite suddenly she ha,
dropped her mask of indifference
her face was strained and anxious
and there We're deep circles
had not seen before. under he
eyes. And it was Bella who final
Iy threw herself into the breach
the family breach.
ut IS all my fault, Miss Ca
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