The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-06-06

Acr. she ignored ASQCOnS eXlSI0uC6
and listened for Mrs. WA:tcomb's next
retort. 1t consisted of simple, ICY
drawl: 81 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: II think I'll go to break
fast" and followed Mrs. WhitcomD.
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 whirI-
ing round at the cordially OF her
tone. But bis smile vanished at her
last word. He protested, feebly:
James sounds SO like "a butler.
Cant you call me Little Jimmie
again."
Mrs. Wellington smiled induIgent-
~: well, since it's the last time.
Goodbye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. He seized it hun
grily and chung to it: "Good-bye?-
aren't you getting off at Reno?"
Yes, but"
$50 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-
fish a residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish residence-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. He felt the
regret in her voice and took. strange
courage from it. He hauled from his
pocket his huge flask, and said quick
V: well, if you're jealous of this,
Ill promise to cork it up forever"
She shook her head skeptically:
"You couldn't
Just to prove It," he said, iii
chuck it 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
and pondered: 1T seems shame to
waste it,"
Il thought so," said Mrs. Jimmie,
dropping perceptibly. Her husband
began to feel that, after all, she cared
what became of him.
'.Ill tell you," he said, iii 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-
ciliation playing SO close at hand.
Little Jimmie paused, caressed the
dask, and kissed it. Goodbye, old
playmate" Then, tossing his head
with bravado, he reached out and
touched the clergyman's shoulder. DIR.
Temple turned and rose with a ques-
tioning look. Wellington put the flask
In his hand and chuckled: Merry
ChIistmas!"
But, my good man" the preacher
objected, finding in his hand a dona-
ton about as welcome and as wieldy
as a strange baby. Wellington winked:
1T may come in handy for-your
patients.
CT yryjfh lon
idea, Mrs. Wellington spoke: "Oh,
Mrs. Temple
"Yes, my DEAR" said the little old
lady, rising. Mrs. Wellington placed
In her hand a small portfolio and
laughed: Happy New Year,"
Mrs. Temple stared at her gift and
gasped: Great heavens! Your Gig
ers!"
They'll be such consolation"
Mrs. Wellington explained, while the
doctor is out with his patients"
DR.. Temple and Mrs. Temple looked
Ut each other in dismay, then at the
Task and the cigars, then at the Well
lngtons, then they stammered:
Thank you so much" and sank back
Wellington stared at MS VIE. Luz
eretia, are you sincere?"
Jimmie, / promise you I'll never
smoke another cigar"
my love!" he cried, and seized her
hand. You know 1 always said you
we're a queen among women, Luz
eretia."
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
h: 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 it.
When Mrs Vhitcomb, 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.
hgtons to make fools Of her and her