Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-05-25
CHAPTER XVII. (cOntinued.)

1t seems that the gentle Bella has
been unusually beastly today to lin
and believe she's Jealous of Won
Kit. Jim followed her up to the roof
before dinner with a box of flowers
and she tossed them over the parapet.
She said, ! believe, that she didn't
want his flowers: He could buy them
for you, and be damned to him. or
some lady-like equivalent"
Jim is a jellyfish," | said con.
temptuously. What did he saw"
He said he only cared for one wom-
an, and that was Bella: That he never
had really cared for you and never
would, and that divorce courts were
not unmittgated evils if they showed
people the way to real happiness
Which wouldn't amount to anything
II HARRISON had not been in the tent
trying to sleep!"
Dial did not know all the particulars
but 1t seems that relations between
jim and Mr.. HARRISON were rather
strained. Bella had left the roof and
Jim and the HARRISON man came fare
to face In the door of the tent Ac-
cording to Dial, little had been said
but Jim, bound by his promise to me
could not explain, and could only
stammer something about being an
old friend of Miss Knowles. And Tom
had replied shortly that it was none
of his business, but that there were
some things friendship hardly tusti-
fled, and tried to pass Jim. Jim was
instantly enraged: He blocked the
door 10 the roof and demanded to
know what the other nan meant
Ihere were two or three versions of
the answer he got. The general pur-
port was that Mr.. HARRISON had no
desire to explain further. and that
the situation was forced on him But
II he insisted-when a man system
atically ignored and neglected his
wife for some one else. there were
communities where he would be tarred
and fathered
Meaning me?" Jim demanded, apo
pletic.
The remark was a general one"
Mr.. HARRISON retorted, but If you
wish to make a concrete appIica-
ton"
Dial had gone up just them. and
found them glazing at each other. Jim
with his hands clenched at his sides
and Mr.. HARRISON with his arms fold
ed and very erect. Dial took Jim by
the elbow and led him downstairs
muttering. and the situation was
saved for the time. But Dial was not
optimistic
You can do bit yourself, Kit" he
finished Look more cheerful. hirt
little. You can do that without try
ing Take Max on for day or so
Jt would be charity anyhow. But
don't let Tom HARRISON take IT into
his head that you are grieving over
.Jim's neglect. or he's likely to toss
him off the root"
I have no reason to think that Mr..
HARRISON cares one way or the other
about me" l said primIy You dom
think he's-he's in love with me. do
you, DALI" l watched him out of the
corner of my eye. but he only looked
amused
In love with you." he repeated.
Why, bless your wicked little heart,
no! He thinks you're a married WON
an! It's the principle of the thing
he's fighting for. If I had as much
principle as he has ibid put 1t out
at interest"
Max interrupted US just then, and
asked if we knew where Mr. HARRISON
was
Cant find him." he said. i've got
the telephone together and have
enough left over to make another
Where do you suppose HARRISON hides
the tools? I'm working with cork,
screw and two palette knives"
I heard nothing more of the treuble
that night Max went to Jim about
it. and Jim said angrily that only a
fool would interfere between a man
and his wife-wiyes. Whereupon Max
retorted that fool and his wives
were soon parted, and left him. The
two principals were coldly civil tc
each other, and smaller issues were