The Raymer enterprise., 1912-12-05
Reno began to lose IL. edge. His owr

1
soul appealed from Jimmie drunk tc
Jimmie sober. The appellate Judge
began to reverse the lower courts de
cision. point by point
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 torswear before the
world? Jimmie's soul was in turmoil,
and Mrs. Whitcomb's 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
wretches must t'y to console one MI.
other, mustn't we?"
"Yes,-yes,-we must" Wellington
nodded, with a 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 a wave OF Jealous rage
surged over him, and he growled:
Your husband is a scoundrel."
Mrs. Whitcombs smile turned to
vinegar: "Oh, | can't 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 1t strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashton's existence
and listened for Mrs. Whitcomb's next
retort. 1t consisted OF simple. icy
drawl: 81 think III 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 60 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 1t hun.
grily and clung to 1t: "Good.bye?-
aren't you getting of at Reno?"
Yes, but"
SO am l-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"
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. II you're jealous OF this,
I'll promise to cork 1t up forever
She shook her head skept,cally: |:
You couldn't"
Just to prove it," he said, "llI
chuck II 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 so, he tightened his clutch again,
and pondered: 1T seems a 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.
"lll tell you" he said. I'll give II
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
flask. and kissed It. Goodbye. old
playmate" Then. tossing his head
with bravado. he reached out and