Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1912-12-07

He felt sudden recrudescence OF
jealousy as he beard Ashton's voice
unctuously. fiirtatiously Offering his
wife hospitality. He wanted to trounce
Ashton. But what right had he to
defend from gallantry the woman he
was about TO forswear 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 try to console one an
other. mustn't WEI"
"Yes.-yes.-we must" Wellington
nodded. with sickly cheer.
Mrs. Whitcomh leaned a little
closer. do you know that | feel al
most related to you, Mr.. Wellington?
'Related?" he echoed. 'you!--to
me? HOVE"
MY husband knew your wife so
we'll"
Somehow a wave OF jealous rage
surged over him, and he growled:
Your husband Is a scoundrei."
Mrs. Whitcomb's smile turned to
vinegar: "Oh, can't permit you TO
Islander 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 SANDER my wife behind her
back. 1t was all your husbands
fault"
Mrs. Jimmie overheard this behind
her back, and it strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashton's existence
and listened for Mrs. Whitcomb's next
retort. II 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 q
careless: Il 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 1t:
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 "a butler.
Can't you call me Little Jimmie
again."
Mrs. Wellington smiled induigent-
ly: We'll, since it's the last time.
Goodbye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. lie seized It hun
grily and chung to it: "Good-bye?-
aren't you getting off at Reno?"
Yes, but"
so 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 Nashville we estab-
lish a residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish residence--er
together"
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 1t. He hauled from his
pocket his huge flask. and said quick
ly: well. If you're jealous OF this.
I'll promise to cork It up forever"
She shook her head skepticaily:
you couldn't"
Just to prove It," he said, IN
chuck IL 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 go, he frightened his clutch again,
and pondered: 1T seems a shame to
waste It,"
II thought So" said Mrs. Jimmie,
dropping percepubly. Her husband
began to feel that. after all, she cared
what became of him.
"I'll 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 1t. Goodbye. Old
playmate!" Then, tossing his head
with bravado, he reached out and
touched the ciergyman'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