The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1912-07-18
CHAPTER XVIII. Continued

IT'S only jim" I whispered. II
don't want to hear any more"
But she ciutched me firmly, and the
next thing we heard was another
creak, and louder and
Get up! Get up off your knees
this Instant" Bella was saying frant-
ically. Some one might come in
Don't send me away" Jim said in
= "a smothered voice. Every one in the
house Is asleep and 81 love you,
dear"
Aunt Selma swallowed hard in the
darkness.
You have no right to make love
to me-" Bella. "It's-it's highly i'm
proper. under the circumstances"
And then jim: You swallow a
camel and stick at gnat. Why did
you meet ME here. if you didn't ex-
pect me to make love to you? I've
stood for lot. Bella, but this foolish
ness win have to end. Either you
love me--er you don't. I'm desper-
ate" He drew long. forlorn breath.
Poor old JIM" This was Bella. A
pause. Then-"Let my hand alone!"
Also Bella
ut Is my hand!"-Jim's most ia
tuous tone. There is where you
wore my ring. There's the mark
still" Sounds of Jim kissing Bellas
ring finger What did you do with
it? Throw 1t away?" More sounds.
Aunt Selma crossed the library
+ swiftly, and again ! followed. Bella
was sitting in low chair by the fire,
looking at the logs, in the most ex.
Quisite negiigee of pink chiffon and
ribbon. Jim was ON his knees, star
ing at her adoringly. and holding both
& her hands.
III tell you a secret" Bella was
saying. looking as coy as she knew
how which was considerable. Il
still wear 1t. on a chain around my
neck"
On a chain around her neck! Bella,
who is decolette whenever 1t is al
( lowable, and more than is proper!
That was the limit of Aunt Selina's
endurance. Still holding me, she
stepped through the doorway and into
the freight. fearful figure.
Jim saw her first He went quite
white and struggled to get up, smiling
sickly smile. Bella, after her first
surprise. was superbly Indifferent. She
glanced at US, raised her eyebrows.
and then looked at the clock
More victims Of insomnia" she
said. Wont you come in? Jim, pull
up chair by the fire for your aunt"
Aunt Selma opened her mouth
twice, like fish. before she could
F speak. Then
James. demand that that woman
leave the house!" she said hoarsely.
Bella leaned back and yawned.
James, shall go?" she asked
amiably.
Nonsense" Jim said, pulling him.
self together as best he, could. Look
here. Aunt Selma, you know she can't
go out. and what's more. I--don't
want her to CO."
1 ed. taking a step forward. You have
the audacity to say such thing to
me-"
Bella leaned over and gave the
fire log punch.
II was just saying that he shouldn't
say such things to me, either" she
remarked pleasantly. I'm afraid
you'll take cold, Miss Caruthers.
/ Wouldn't you like a hot sherry fiip?"
Aunt Selma gasped Then she sa;
down heavily on one of the carved
A teakwood chairs
HE said he loved you; | heard
him." she said weakly. "He--he was
going to put his arm around you.''
"Habitf" Jim put in, trying to smile
You see. Aunt Selma, it's-well, it's
a habit got into}some time ago. and
my arm does It without my think
! ing about it."
Habit" Aunt Selma repeated,
her voice thick with passion. Then
she turned to me. Go to your room
4 at oucel" she said in her most awful