Mexico Missouri message., 1912-11-14

lie felt a sudden recrudescence OF
jealousy as he heard Ashton's voice
unctuously, fiirtatiously oreriLg his
wife hospitality lie 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
cd any Of them. Then he realized
that she was saying. Pm 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: We two poor mistreated
wretches must try to console one an
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 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
SANDER the poor boy behind his back
II 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 Islander my wife behind her
back. It was all your husbands
| fault"
Mrs. Jimmie overheard this behind
! her back. and II strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashton's existence
and listened for Mrs. Whitcomb's next
| retort 1t consisted OF a simple, icy
drawl; II 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: Il think I'll go to break
! fast" and followed Mrs. Whitcomb.
The WelIingtons 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 II:
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. lie protested. feebly:
James sounds so like "a 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 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 fol
six months at least-while we estab
lish a residence Couldn't we-er-
couldn't We establish residence
: together"
Mrs. Wellington's eyes grew littlt
sad, as she answered: 1T would b,
: too lonesome waiting for you to rol
home"
Jimmie stared at her. tie felt tn
regret in her voice and took strang
courage from 1t. He hauled from hi
5 pocket his huge flask, and said quick
2 ly: Well, If you're Jealous of this
= I'll promise to cork it up forever"
She shook her head skepticaily
g You couldn't"
Just to prove It," he said, III
chuck it out OF the window" II
flung up the sash and made ready t
hurl his enemy into the flying lane
scape
q Bravo" cried Mrs. Wellington.
But even as his hand was about I
l. let go. he frightened his clutch agar
d and pondered: 1T seems a shame {
+ waste it,"
I Il thought So" said Mrs. Jimmie
e dropping perceptibly. Her husban
: began TO feel that. after all, she care
5 what became OF him.
d I'm tell you" he said, I'll give
o TO old Doc Temple. He takes hi
straight"
J Fine"
& He turned towards the seat wher
d the clergyman and his wife were ST
Il ting, obliyious OF the drama OF recol
e Citation playing so close at hant
n Little Jimmie paused, caressed III
o flask, and kissed IT. Goodbye, oil
playmate!" Then, tossing his hea
d with bravado, he reached out an
e. touched the clergymans shoulder. ID
d Temple turned and rose with a que
d tioning look. Wellington put the fias
ID in bis hand and chuekled: "Merr
st Christmas"
10 But, my good man" the preacht
objected, finding in his hand a don