Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-06-01
CHAPTER XVIII. (Continued.)

ITS only Jim" I whispered. II
don't want to hear any more"
But she clutched me firmly, and the
next thing we heard was another
creak, and louder and
Get up! Get up off your knees
this Instant Bella was saying frant-
ically. Some one might come in"
Don't send me away" jim said in
a smotAered voice. Every one in the
house Is asleep, and I love you,
dear"
Aunt Selma swallowed hard in the
darkness.
You have no right TO make love
to me, Bella 'It's-it's highly i'm
proper, under the circumstances"
And then Jim: You swallow
camel and stick at a gnat Why did
you meet me here, if you didn't ex-
peet me to make love to you? I've
stood for lot, Bella, but this foolish
ness will have to end Either you
love me-or you don't. I'm desDer-
ate 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!"-Jfms most IA
tuous tone There is where you
wore my ring. There's the mark
still" Sounds of Jim kissing Bella's
ring finger. What did you do with
it? Throw it away?" More sounds.
Aunt Selma crossed the library
swiftly. and again I followed. Bella
was sitting in a low chair by the fire,
looking at the logs, in the most ex-
quisite negligee of pink chiffon and
ribbon. Jim was on his knees, star
ing at her ador!ngly, and holding both
her hands
III tell you a secret" Bella was
saying, looking as coy as she knew
how-which was considerable. i
] still wear it, on a chain around my
neck"
On a chain around her neck! Bella.
who is decolette whenever it is al
lowable, and more than is proper!
That was the limit of Aunt Selina's
endurance. Still holding me, she
stepped through the doorway and into
the freight, a fearful figure.
Jim saw her first. He went quite
white and struggled to set up, smiling
8 sickly smile. Bella. after her first
surprise, was superbly indifferent She
glanced at US, raised her eyebrows,
and then looked at the clock.
More victims of insomnia" she
said Wont you come IN? Jim, pull
up chair by the fire for your aunt"
Aunt Selma opened her mouth
twice, like a fish. before she could
speak Then
James, I demand that that woman
leave the housed" she said hoarseIy.
Bella leaned back and yawned.
James, shall go?" she asked
amiably.
Nonsense" Jim said, pulling him
self together as best he could. Look
here, Aunt Selma, you know she can't
go out, and what's more, don't
want her to 60"
'You-what?" Aunt Selma screech-
ed, taking a step forward You have
the audacity to say such thing to
me-"
Bella leaned over and gave the
IRE log a punch
I was just saying that he shouldn't
say sucn things to me, either" she
remarked pleasantly I'm afraid
you'll take cold, Miss Caruthers.
Wouldn't you like hot sherry f1ip?"
Aunt Selma gasped Then she sat
down heavily on one Of the carved
teakwood chairs.
He said he loved you; I heard
him, she said weakly. "He-he was
going to put his arm around you."
Habit" jim put in. trying to smile.
You see. Aunt Selma, its-weu. it's
habit | got into some time ago, and
my arm does it without my think
ing about it."
Habit" Aunt Selma repeated.
her voice thick with passion. Then
she turned to me. Go to your room
at oncet" she said in her most awful