The Jackson herald., 1910-11-10
The Unit
By JENNIE O. LolzEAUx
copyrisht, 1910, by Associated Literary Press

drawing. He worked rapidly and
correctly, his bright eye half closed
TO get the general effect. his good
Jaw thrust out more than was actu-
ally necessary. II was almost closing
time. and he saw from the set Of Har-
ris' shoulders, visible at the desk be-
yond, that their argument was not
closed. It meant some more words.
Well. an right--Harris. II he was his
espssfor. could have them. and there
vould be no uncertain sound to his
tumpet, either.
And his expectation was correct.
While they were closing their desks
and getting ready for leaving. and
the stenographers and clerks we're
chattering. iuffing at their hair, PIN
ming on their hats, Harris. junior
partner of the frm, touched him on
the shoulder.
Il want a word with you. Wiltsie.
Going to walk? All right I'll ride
Shank's mare. too"
The young fellow put on his coat
and girded himself for the verbal
fray-he was quite as determined as
Wiltsie. and he was sure that. being
married man. his own wisdom was
Infinite. They started out into the
fresh spring air, swinging along Joy.
ously enough. Suddenly Harris be-
gan.
"Confound you, anyway. Howard.
for Stubborn. unobliging fellow!
What good are you as friend II you
won't help Madge and me out a
littleT What on earth are we to do
with Tessie Gray on our hands the
next two months II you don't be de-
cent! What's the use of you're being
Madge's second cousin II you can't
help entertain her guest! And what
on earth makes you think you can't
come to our house party for few
weeks? ] don't see! It's Just as easy
come to the Office from our house
as from your old boarding house.
What ails your"
Wiltsie shrugged his shoulders. and
stuck out his Jaw again. Il like you
and Madge and your charming
house-you know that But I'm not
a sinner in the company Of the
fair ones. don't want to be too
plain. but you've pestered me till I'm
positively Ill tempered. You've &c.
cused me OF being a woman hater-
I'm not And of being a bachelor
which ! plead guilty to. II you must
have It straight. I'm determined to
keep on being a bachelor for some
years. And I'm so dead easy. such a
girl-lover, that my only safety is In
flight and numbers. And another
thing. Madge was my cousin before
she was your wife, and l have the
right to state emphatically that she's
the most deadly matchmaker in my
large experience. I'm thirty, and
though she's three years my Junior
shes been trying to get me In love
and married for ten solid years. And
you can't deny. blinded as you are
by her charms, that she has chosen
Tessie Gray as the final instrument
for my undoing. Not for me, thanks"
Harris had to laugh outright. He
would tell Madge that her methods
were not as hidden and subtle as she
tmagined-jt would do her good
You selfish old bachelor. don't you
know that you don't count? You're
nobody and nothing-just a lost half
floating about and useless to the
world. Don't yoa know that the fam.
fly. the two-in-one. is tie unit of So
ciety! Why. man. you're cipher!"
"All right-but I'm pretty good at
backing up units. come after, to be
sure, but ! at least create an inter.
est! I'll come and see your wonder,
but warn you now that won't marry
her. OF course she also Is a victim in
your wife's hands, and probably un.
conscious OF the dire intention to get
her married She won't like me. But
I'll be decent-take her about some,
and call anl all that, but I'll be hanged
II I'll come into the mesmeric circle
OF a house party composed OF mar.
ried couple, two engaged couples and
an extra girl! know enough ia
keep out Of danger. This is my cor,
ner and I'm OF. SO long, and tell
Madge III come to her dinner, and be
giad-but I'm on to her!"
le" tNesuiuS ldleT, BTOOIneC
within an inch of his life, his blue
eyes wary, and his jaw In evidence
Mr.. Howard Wiltsie betook himself
20 the house of his employer and sec
ond cousin by marriage. The prett,
house its pretty mistress. the couples
and the host were at their best. He
already knew them all but Miss Tes
sic Cray. who fulfilled even the ex
travagant promises which Madge hat
made for her beauty and charm. The
bachelor was introduced-an galvan
ized with surprise. The lady was like
q piece OF ice-to him. No faul
could be found with the perfection o
her manner, but neither could ray
of warmth he discovered in her.
OF course she fell to his lot at din
ner-and insisted on talking to Coon
er. on the other side, TO that gentle
man. embarrassment, since his f
ancee demanded his full attention
Wntsie then tried Mabel Strand, OF