The Arvada enterprise., 1912-11-28


He felt sudden recrudescence OF
jealousy as he heard Ashtons voice
unctuously. tiirtatiously Offering his
wife hospitality. He wanted to trounce
Ashton. But what right had he to
defend from gallantry the woman he
was about to forswear before the
world? Jimmie's soul was in turmoil,
and Mrs. Whitcombs pretty face and
alluring smile only annoyed him.
She had made several gracious
speeches before he quite comprehend
ed any of them. Then he realized
that she was saying, I'm so glad
you're going to stop at Reno, Mr.. Well.
ington."
Thank you. so am l." he mum.
bled, trying to look interested and
wishing that his wife's plume would
not tickle his neck
Mrs. Whitcomb went on, leaning
closer: I'VE two poor mistreated
wretcbes must try to console one an
other, mustn't we?"
"Yes,-yes,-we must" Wellington
nodded, with sickly cheer.
Mrs. Whitcomb leaned a little
closer. do you know that | feel al
most related to you, Mr.. Wellington"
Related" he echoed, "you?-to
me? How"
My husband knew your wife so
we'll"
Somehow wave of jealous rage
surged over him, and he growled:
Your husband is a scoundrel.'
Mrs. Whitcomb's smile turned to
vinegar: "Oh, | cant permit you to
slander the poor boy behind his back.
1t was all your wife's fault"
Wellington amazed himself by his
own bravery when he heard himself
volleying back: And | can't permit
you to slander my wife behind her
back. 1t was all your husbands
fault"
Mrs. Jimmie overheard this behind
her back, and It strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashton's existence
and listened for Mrs. Whitcombs next
retort. 1t consisted OF a simple, icy
drawl: Il think I'll go to breakfast"
She seemed to pick up Ashton with
her eyes as she glided by, for, finding
himself unnoticed, he rose with a
careless: Il think I'll go to break
fast" and followed Mrs. Whitcomb.
The Wellingtons sat dos-a-dos for
some exciting seconds, and then on a
sudden impulse. Mrs. Jimmie rose,
lnelt in the seat and spoke across the
back of it:
1T was very nice of you TO defend
me, Jimmie-er James"
Wellington Almost dislocated sew
eral joints in rising quickly and whirl-
ing round at the cordiality OF her
tone But his smile vanished at her
last word. lie protested, feebly:
James sounds so like "a butler.
Can't you call me Little Jimmie
again."
Mrs. Wellington smiled lnduigent-
ly: well. since it's the last time.
ood-bye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. lie seized 1t hun
grily and clung to it: "Good-bye?-
aren't you getting off at Reno?"
Yes, but"
80 am I-Lucretia."
But we can't afford to be seen to-.
gether."
Still holding her hand. he tempo.
rized: We've got to stay married for
six months at least-while we estab.
lish a residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish a resdence-er
together"
Mrs. Wellington's eyes grew a little
sad, as she answered: 1T would be
too lonesome waiting for you to roll
home"
Jimmie stared at her. lie felt the
regret in her voice and took strange
courage from it. He hauled from his
pocket his huge flask, and said quick.
ly: We'll, If you're jealous OF this,
III promise to cork it up forever"
She shook her head skepticnlly:
You couldn't"
Just to prove it." he said, IN
chuck 1t out OF the window" lie
flung up the sash and made ready to
hurl his enemy into the flying land.
scape
Bravo" cried Mrs. Wellington
But even as his hand was about to
let go he frightened his clutch again,
and pondered: 1T seems shame to
waste it,"
81 thought So" said Mrs. Jimmie,
dropping perceptibly. Her husband
began to feel that. after all. she cared
what became Of him.
I'm tell you" he said. I'm Civ. IT
to old Doc Temple. lie takes his
straight"
Fine"
He turned towards the seat whers
the clergyman and his wife were sit.
ting, Obliyious of the drama OF recon.
ciliation playing so close at hand
Little Jimmie paused, caresscd the
flask. and kissed It. Goodbye, old
playmate" Then. tossing his head
with brayado, he reached out and
touched the clergy mans shoulder Dr.
Temple turned and rose with ques
tioning look. Wellington put the flask
in his hand and chucklcd: Merry
Christmas"
But, my good man" the preacher
objected, finding In his hand doua.
,t,r ,I,Ht .g W.Ig,ry. and ,tsi.tt,