The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-12-20
he insult and sought to repay it with


Marjorie nodded approximately and
said: Il will. You're very kind
And that completed the rout OF that
conductor. He retired In disorder,
leaving Marjorie to fondle Snoozle-
ums with neglectful Indifference that
would have greatly tlattered Mallory
If he could have seen through the
partition that divided them.
But he was witnessing with the
cynical superiority of an aged and
dfsillusioned man the. to him, childish
behavior of Ira Lathrop, an eleventh
hour Orlando.
For just as Mallory moped into the
smoking-room at one door. Ira Latin
rop swept In at the other. his race
rubicund with embarrassment and
ecstasy. He had ,donned an old Nock
coat with creases like ruts from long
exile in his trunk. But he was feel
ing like an heir apparent; and ne
startled everybody by his jovial hall:
We'll, boys-er-gentlemen - the
drinks are on me. Waiter, take the
orders"
Little Jimmie woke with start
rose hastily to his feet and salutea'
saying: Present! Who said take the
orders?"
+ Il did," said Lathrop, I'm giving a
party. Waiter, take the orders
"Sarsaparilla," said DR.. Temple, out
they howled him down and ordered
other things. The porter shook dis
head sadly: "Nothin' but sof' drinks
in Utah, gemmen.'
A groan went up from the cluo'
| members, and Lathrop groaned loud
est of all:
We'll, we've got to drink something,
Take the orders. Well all have sarsa'
parilLa."
Little Jimmie Wellington came to
the rescue.
Don't do anything desperate. gen.
tlemen," he said. with a look OF al
vine philanthropy. THE bars closed
but Little Jimmie Wellington is here
with the life preserver." From his
hip pocket he produced a silver flask
that looked to be big enough to carry
regiment through the Alps. 1t was
greeted with salvo, and LathroE
said to Jimmie: Il apologize FOL
everything have said-and thought
about YOU" He turned to the porter:
There amt any law against giving
this way, Is there?"
The porter grinned: mot II you-al
bride the exercise-inspector." And NJ
held out glass for the brtbe. muir
muring. Don't git tired" as it was
poured. He set it inside his sanctun
and then hustled round with ice-hllee
glasses and siphon.
When Little Jimmie offered OF thu
flask to Dr. Temple. the clergyman
put out his hand with a politely hor
rifed: mo, thank you"
Lathrop frightened him with a sud
den comment: Look at that gesture
Doc, Id almost swear you were par
SON."
Mallory whirled on him with thu
eyes of a hawk about to pounce. ant
1.-THE very ideal" was the best dis
claimer DR.. Temple could manage
suddenly finding himself suspected
Ashton put in with, THE only wa,
to disprove 1t. Doc, is to Join. US"
The poor old clergyman. too deepl.
I involved in his deception to brav
confession now, decided to do APT
dare all. He stammered, "Er-ah-
certainly" and held out his hand TO
his share of the poison. Little jim
ME winked at the others and almos
filled the glass; The innocent docto
bowed his thanks. When the porte
reached him and prepared to fill tn
remainder of the glass from tn
siphon, the parson waved him asid
with a misguided caution:
mo, thanks. III not mix them"
Mallory turned away with sigh
He takes his straight. He's no pal
son."
Then they forgot the doctor Il
curiosity as to Lathrop's sudde
spasm of generosity-with Yelling
toms liquor. Wedgewood voiced tn
, general curiosity when he said:
Whats the old woman-hater up t
now?"
; "Woman-hater?" laughed Ira. at
the old story. I'm going to folio,
Mallory's example-marriage." .
. Il hope you succeed" said Mallory
Wherever did you pick up tn
bride?" said Wedgewood, melIowin
: with the long glass in his hand.
, Brides are easy" said Mallory
: with surprising cynicism. Where d
you get the parson?"
Hang the parson," Wedgewood r.
I peated, Who's the gel?"
: IN bet know who she u.s." ASH
, ton interposed; Its that nectarine q
a damsel who got on at Green River.
mot the same!" Lathrop roaree
Il found my bride blooming here a
the while. Girl used to spark bac
III