The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-08-08
cHAprER nv. fcontIhued.l

CHAPTER ~. (contihued.)
When he managed to wrench his
skull free, he was ready to murder his
tormentor But as soon as he con
fronted the doddering and blinking
topper, he was helpless. Drunken men
have always been treated with great
tenderness In America, and when Wei
lington. seeing Lathroy's white hair,
exclaimed with rapture: why, hello,
Pop! here's Pop!" the most that Lath.
rop could do was to tear loose those
fat, cropping hands, slap them like a
school teacher. and push the man
away.
But that one shove upset Mr.. Wei
lington and sent him topping down
upon the pit Of the Englishman's stom-
ach.
For Wedgewood, It was suddenly as
IL all the cir had been removed from
the world. He gulped like fish
drowning for lack Of water. He was a
long while getting breath enough for
words, but his first words were wild
demands that Mr.. Wellington remove
himself forthwith.
Wellington accepted the Punishment
with the sorrowful eyes OF dying
deer, and tottered away wagging his
fat head and wailing:
I'm broken-hearted man. and no
body gives a." At this point he ca
romed over into Ira Lathrop's berth
and was welcomed with savage roar:
What the devils the matter with
your"
Pm a broken-hearted man. that's
all"
"Oh. Is that ALL" Lathrop snapped.
vanishing behind his newspaper. The
desperately melancholy seeker for a
word OF human kindness bleared at
the blurred newspaper wall a while.
then waded into new attempt at ac-
quaintance. Laying his hand on Lath.
rops knee, he stammered: "Ess-
cuzhe me. Mr.--Mr.-"
From behind the newspaper came a
stingy answer: "Lathrops my name
III you want to know"
PLEASED to meet you. Mr.. I.othrop."
"Lathrop!"
"Lathrop! My names Wellington.
LII Jimmie Wellington. Ever hear Of
me?"
He waited with the genial smile Of
famous man; the smile froze at
Lathrop's curt. Don't think so'
He tried again: Ever hear OF
well-known Chicago belle. Mrs. Jim.
mile Wellington
- y
Wellington waved his hand with
modest pride. We'll. I'm Jimmie"
Serves you right"
This Jolt was SO discourteous that
Wellington decided to protest: mis-
ter Latham!"
"Lathrop!"
The name came out with a whip
snap. He tried to echo 1t. "La-throp!'
Il don't like that Throp That's a
kind OF seasick name. isn't it?" Find
Ing the newspaper still Intervening be
tween him and his prey. he calmly
tore 1t down the middle and pushed
through 1t like moon coming through
cloud. "But man can't change his
name by marrying. can he? That's
the worst OF It. A woman can. Think
Of heartless cobra di capello in WON
ans form wearing my fair name-and
wearing 1t out Mr.. La-throp, did you
ever put your trust In false-hearted
woman?"
Never put my trust in anybody"
Didn't you ever love o woman?"
mol"
We'll. then. didn't you ever marry q
woman"
Not one. I've had the measles and
the mumps. but I've never had matri
mony"
"Oh, lucky man." beamed yelling
ton. Hang on to your luck"
Il intend to-" said Lathrop. Fl was
born single and like It,"
"Oh, how envy you! You see
Mrs. Wellington-she's queen among
women. mind you--a queen among
women. but she has the 'stravagance
OF a."
Lathrop had endured all he could
endure, even from privileged charac
ter like little Jimmy Wellington. He
rose TO take refuge In the smoking
room. But the very vigor Of this de
parture only served to help yelling
ton to his feet, for he seized Lathrop'a
coat and hung on. through the door,
down the little corridor, always ex.
planning:
Mrs. Wellington Is queen among
women. mind you, but l can't stand
her temper any longer"
He had hardly squeezed into the
smoking-room when the porter and an
usher almost invisible under the bag
gage they carried brought in new
passenger. Her first question was:
"Oh. porter. did box of flowers. or
candy, or anything. come for me?"
What name would they be in,
miss?"
"Mra. Wellington Mrs. James Wei
lington."