The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-10

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 l 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 II strangely thrilled
her She ignored Ashton's existence
snd listened for Mrs. Whitcomb's next
retort. 1t consisted of a simple icy
drawi: 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 n
careless: 81 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 It:
1T was very nice of you tn 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 his smile vanished at her
last word. He protested, feeblv:
James sounds so like "a butler.
Can't you call me Little Jimmie
again."
Mrs. Wellington smiled indulgent-
ly: well. since it's the last time.
Goodbye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. He seized 1t hun.
grily and clung to It: "Good-bye?-
aren't you getting of 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-whlle we estab-
lish q residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish q 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 1t. He hauled from his
pocket his huge flask. and said quick.
ly: well. II you're Jealous of this.
Ill promise to cork 1t up forever"
She shook her head skeptically:
"You couldn't"
Just to prove It," he said, "I'Il
chuck 1t 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 nand was about to
let 60. he tightened his clutch again.
and pondered: 1T seems q 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.
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-
ciliation 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 clergyman's shoulder. DIR.
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
objected, finding in his hand a dona.
tion about as welcome and as wieldy
rs strange baby. Wellington winked:
ut may come In handy for-your
PATIENTS
And now, struck with sudden
idea. Mrs. Wellington spoke: "Oh,
Mrs. Temple"
Yes. my dear" said the little old
lady. rising. Mrs. Wellington placed
IN her hand small portfolio and
laughed: Happy New Year,"
Mrs. Temple stared at her gift and
gasped: Great heavens! Your Gig
ars."
They'll be such a consolation"
Mrs. Wellington explained. while the
doctor Is out with his patients"
DR.. Temple and Mrs. Temple looked
at each other In dismay, then at the
flask and the cigars, then at the Well
ingtons. then they stammered:
Thank you SO much," and sank back.
Wellington stared at his wife: "Lu-
cretia. are you sincere?"
Jimmie, promise you I'll never
smoke another cigar"
MY Lowell" he cried. and seized her
hand. You know l always said you