The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-06-21

her eyes as she gltded by, Tor, nndlng
himself unnoticed. he rose with a
careless: II 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,
knelt 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 cordially OF her
tone. But his smile vanished at her
last word. He protested, feebly:
james sounds SO like IA butler.
Can't you call me Little, Jimmie
again?"
Mrs. Wellington smiled indulgent-
ly: We'll, since It's the last time.
Goodbye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. He seized it hun
grily and chung to 1t: "Good-bye?-
aren't you getting of at Reno?"
Eyes, 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 residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish residence-er
together" trg eaJ
Mrs. Wellington's eyes grew little
sad, as she answered: 1T would be
too lonesome waiting for you to roll
home"
Jimmie stared at her. He 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,
I'll promise to cork 1t up forever"
She shook her head skeptically:
"You couldn't"
Just to prove It," he said, "I'll
chuck 1t out OF the window" He
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 a shame to
waste it,"
II thought So" said Mrs. Jimmie,
dropping perceptibly. Her husband
began to feel that, after all, she cared
what became of him.
III tell YOU" he said, 'I'll give it
to old Doc Temple. He takes his
straight"
"Fine!"
He turned towards the seat where
the clergyman and his wife were sit
ting, oblivious of the drama of recon-
Citation playing SO close at hand.
Little Jimmie paused, caressed the
flask, and kissed it. Goodbye, old
playmate!" Then, tossing his head
with bravado, he reached out and
touched the clergyman's shoulder. Dr.
Temple turned and rose with a ques-
tioning look. Wellington put the flask
in his hand and chuckled: Merry
Christmas!" :"
But, my good man" the preacher
objected, finding in his hand q dona-
tion about as welcome and as wieldy
as a strange baby. Wellington winked:
ut may come In handy for--your
patients"
And now, struck with . sudden
idea, Mrs. Wellington spoke: "Oh,
Mrs. Temple"
"Yes, my DEAR" said the little old
lady, rising. Mrs. Wellington placed
In her hand small portfolio and
laughed: Happy New Year,"
Mrs. Temple stared at her gift and
gasped: Great heavens! Your Gig
ars!"
They'll be such consolation"
Mrs. Wellington explained, while the
doctor Is out with his patients"
DR.. Temple and Mrs. Temple looked
at each other in dismay, then at the
flask and the cigars, then at the Well
ingtons, then they stammered:
Thank you SO much" and sank back.
Wellington stared at his wife: "Lu-
cretia, are you sincere?'
Jimmie, promise you I'll never
smoke another cigar"
my love!" he cried, and seized her
hand. You know I always said you
were a queen among women, Luz
cretia."
She beamed back at him: "And you
always were the prince of good fell
lows, Jimmie" Then she almost
blushed as she murmured, almost shy.
ly: May pour your coffee for you
again this morning?"
For life," he whispered, and they
moved up the aisle, arm In arm.
humping from seat to seat and not
knowing 1t.
When Mrs. Whitcomb, seated in the
dining-car, saw Mrs. Little Jimmie
pour Mr.. Little Jimmie's coffee, she
choked on hers. She vowed that she
would not permit those odious Well
ingtons to make fools of her and her
Sammy. She resolved to telegraph
Sammy that she had changed her
mind about divorcing him, and order
him to take the first train west and
meet her halfway on her journey