The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-05-14
cHApTER xxxY.9

M! attl Mrs.. IIttls, lIthmls,L

-, tp|s aph wi Hing
Mrs. SAMMY Whitcomb had longed
for the sweet privilege OF .AQuarlng
matters withtMrs. Jimmie sNeittHgtdn.
Sneers and back.biting, shrugs and
shudders OF contempt we're poor COM
pensation for the ever.vivId fact that
Mrs. Wellington had proved attractive
to her Sammy while Mrs. Yelling
tons Jimmie never looked at Mrs.
Whitcomb. Or II he did. his eyes had
been SO blurred that he had seen two
OF her-and avoided both.
Yesterday she had overheard Jim
ME vow sobrlety. Today his shining
morning face. showed that he had
Kept his word. She could hardly walt
to begin the Irritation which, she
trusted, would render Mrs. Wellington
helplessly furious for six long Reno
months.
The Divorce Drummer interposed
md held Jimmie prisoner for time,
hGt, as soon as Mr.. Baumann released
him, Mrs, Whttcomb unprecedented
him. With smile that beckoned and
with eyes that went out like far.cast
flshhooks, she drew Leviathan into
her net.
She reeled him In and he Plounced
in the seat opposite. What she took
for bashiulness was reluctance. I'd
add the last charm TO her success,
Mrs. Wellington arrived to see 1t.
Mrs. Whltcomb saw the lonely Ashton,
rise and offer her the seat facing him.
Mrs. Wellington took It and sat down
with the back OF her head so 'ciosepto
the Il back OF Mr.. Wellingtonseh bead,
thnbthe feather in her hat ,tickled his
neck. .. M. - ,Wt,
Jimmie Wellington had seen his
wife pass by. To his sober eyes she
was q fine sight as she moved up the
aisle. In his alcohol.emancipated
mind the. keen sense OF wrong ell
dured that had driven him forth to
Reno began to lose It's edge. His own
soul appealed from Jimmie drunk to
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. Ashton's voice
unctuously. iiirtatiously Offering hts
wife hospitality. He wanted tutrounce
Ashton. But what right had he to
defend from gallantry the woman he
was abeRt,, to forswe&, before the
world? 3Jimmie's soul, WAS in turmoil.
and Mrs,; Whiteomb's, pretty. face and
allurlng smile only annoyed him. .si,
She had made q 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.
lngton."
Thank you. so am l." he mum.
BLEED. trying to look Interested and
wishing that his wife's plume would
not tickle hin neck.
Mrs. Whitcomb went on, leaning
closer: I'VE two poor mis,reateu
wretches 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 I feel al.
most related to you, MIR. Wellington"
"Relatedr' he echoed, 'you?-to
me? How"
MY husband knew your wife 80
we'll"
Somehow wave OF jealous rage
surged over him. and he growled:
Your husband Is scoHndrei."
Mrs, Whitcomb's smile turned to
vinegar: "Oh, can't permit you. TO
SANDER the poor boy behind hls back.
It was all your wire's fault"
Wellington amazed himself by his
own bravery when he heard himself,
volleying back: And | can't permit
YOU to Islander my wife behind her
back 1t was all your husbands
fault"
Mrs. Jimmie overheard this behind
her back, and 1t strangely thrilled
har Gha itynnrna