The Delta independent., 1912-09-13

"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. Whitcomb's 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 l can't permit
you to slander my wife behind her
back. 1t was all your husband S
fault
Mrs. Jimmie overheard this behind
her back, and it strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashton's existence
and listened fol Mrs. Whitcomb's next
retort. 1t consisted Of a simple, icy
drawl: Il 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 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:
ut was very nice of you to defend
me, Jimmie
Wellington almost dislocated sew
eral joints in rising quickly and whirl-
Ing round at the cordiality 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 indulgent-
ly: We'll, since it's the last time.
Goodbye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. He seized it 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-while we estab-
fish a residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish a Residences
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 it. He hauled from his
D0ckef his hnpa faclr and coid
Iy: We'll, if you're jealous of this,
Ill promise to cork it up forever"
She shook her head skeptically:
You couldn't"
Just to prove it." he said, I'll
chuck it out of the window" He
hung up the sash and made ready to
nurl his enemy into the flying land.
scape.
"Bravo!" cried Mrs. Wellington.
But even as his hand was about to
let go, he tightened his clutch again,
and pondered: 1T seems shame to
waste it," trs
Il thought So" said Mrs. Jimmie.
1rooping perceptibly. Her husband
began to feel that, after all, she cared
wnat became of him.
iii tell you," he said, iii give II
TO old Doc Temple. He takes his
straight"
'-Fine!"
He turned towards the seat where
the clergyman and his wife were sit
rlng, oblivious Of the drama Of recon
citation playing 80 close at hand.
Little Jimmie paused, caressed the
rask, and kissed 1t. Goodbye, old
DIaymate!" Then. tossing his head
with bravado, he reached out and
touched the clergyman's shoulder. DIR.
Temple turned and rose with ques-
t1oning 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-
ton about as welcome and as wieldy
as strange baby. Wellington winked:
1T may come in handy for-your
PATIENTS
And now, struck with a sudden
idea. Mrs. Wellington spoke: "Oh,
Mrs. Temple"
Yes, my DEAR" said the little old
lady. rising. Mrs. Wellington placed
in her hand a 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
fiask 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?"
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