Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-08-21
JIMSlE'S STEPMOTHER
BY JOHN TRoU.

| ne cared for the tea, but under cover
of the talk of the dozen or more he
was sure to find there, he could
watch Anne and revel in her beauty
and charm.
Anne was going to marry the Hon
enable Richard Bachman, widower
with a boy eight or nine years old.
Laird Robbins had told him conf
dentially that he was in the jewelers.
when the elderly lover ordered ITO
Anne" inscribed in circle of dia-
monds.
Anne met him at the door, ond over
her head Dan saw Bachman by the
window pinching off a rosebud, out of
his own late purchase. to put in the
lapel of his frock coat.
IF you're engaged, Anne" he said
pointedly, I'D better not go in to-
day"
Come right in this minute" urged
Anne cordially. "You can go to mar
ket with me In little while, and then
stay to dinner if you Will"
Bachman had his hat in his hand
ready to leave.
You think it Is pretty, then, Miss
Anne?" Don heard him ask at the
door.
TITS lovely" said Anne with en-
thusiasm. You've shown splendid
taste"
Anne shut the door quietly and
faced Don. laughter wrinkling up the
corners of her eyes
isn't this place bower OF beauty
and fragrance? Your roses have made
it summer here even If it Is winter In
the rest of the world. They're lovely,
Don. What's the matter? Your face
is so long and solemn"
"Blue devils. guess" he answered
shortly. Mind If | smoker"
Never did, did 1? Puff away, but
I'll have you know that If there are
any blue devils in this box of an
apartment, you brought them in your
pockets. ! ran them all out this
morning and watched them freeze to
death on the window silE"
You're mighty gay this afternoon,
aren't you?"
Yes, sir, for ! have a contract
with big new magazine to furnish
page Of my cuties in every issue for
the next six months"
What clever girl you are, Anne!
That pencil of yours has made those
little figures OF people famous over
the country"
The door opened unceremoniously
and Jimsie Bachman, the son and
heir to the vast estates of the Honor
able Richard. appeared.
Hello, Miss Anne! Got any cakes?"
Il certainly have. Come in and
I'll get you some. You know Mr..
Rogers, don't your"
so you have sweet tooth, Jim
my, said Rogers affably.
MY names not Jimmy, it's Jimsie
/ saw it in the Bible. I'm all the time
having to tell my right name to
folks"
While Anne went foraging for
cakes, Jimsie turned his back to the
fire, hands clasped behind him, in
the most approved man fashion
Miss Anne's helping dad get MARI
ried," he asserted with the import
ance Of one giving vital news
Really" responded the man Jelly.
Eyes, she's helped him lot bout
Selecting the ring and ALL" went on
the loquacious youngster "The lady's
friend of Miss Anne's. That's why
she's so interested"
3sWho-whom is your father going
to marry?" demanded Rogers, sud-
denly.
II promised not to tell anything
about it to anybody" returned jim
sic. loftily
I'll give you a dollar to tell me
the truth"
Gee! I'd a told for fifty CENTS"
said Jimsie quickly forgetting his i
conscience. Its Miss Anne Bradner.
she lives in another town. Where's
the money!"
Here you are, Jimsie," said Anne,
coming in just then. Il brought you
a box full of cakes to take on the
train tonight when you and your IA
Their go visiting"
What have you done with your
blue devils?" she demanded, turning
back from closing the door on her
diminutive guest and facing man
with very different expression from
the one he had worn half an hour be-
fore. did you give them to Jimsie?
He's very accommodating
very" he answered, and then as
he watched her adjust fur toque on
her dark hair. Are we going to mar
ket now-to buy fat pig?"
mo, not that" corrected Anne. 'T
need few extras and I've been too
busy togo out today"
She fastened great crimson rose
in her furs. Il have to take one
with me-" she said
ITO you it is rose, to me, 1t is
my heart" he quoted
That's pretty sentiment, isn't 1t,
Don? You know SO many beautiful
IL.