The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-12-12
smile only annoyed 1rrn.

that she was saying, I'm 80 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 hiB neck.
Mrs. Whitcomb went ON, leaning
closer: I'VE 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 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 a 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
SANDER 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 1t strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashtons existence
and listened for Mrs. Whitcomb's next
retort 1t consisted of 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, be rose with
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 q
sudden impulse, Mrs. Jimmie rose,
knelt In the seat and spoke across the
back of it:
/ ut 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 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-
~: We'll, since It's the last time.
Goodbye, Little Jimmie" And she
put out her hand. He seized 1t hum
grily and chung to it: "Good-bye?-
aren't you getting off 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 residence. Couldn't we-er-
couldn't we establish 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
pocket his huge flask, and said quick
": We'll, If you're Jealous of this,
I'll promise to cork 1t up forever"
She shook her head skepticalIy:
you couldn't"
Just to prove It," he said, "1'll
chuck it 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 hand was about to
let go, he frightened his clutch again,
and pondered: 1T seems 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 dona-
ton about as welcome and as wieldy
as a 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 small portfolio and
laughed: Happy New Year,"
Mrs. Temple stared at her gift and
gasped: Great heavens! Your Gig
ars!"
They'll be such consolation"
Mrs. Wellington explained, while the
doctor is out with his patients"
DIR. Temple and Mrs. Temple looked
at each other In dismay, then at the
flask and the cigars, then at the Well
L.