The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-02-27

Reno began to lose it's edge. His own
soul appealed from Jimmie drunk t.
Jimmie sober. The appellate judge
began to reverse the lower courts de-
cision, point by point.
He felt sudden recrudescence OF
jealousy as he heard Ashton's voice
unctuously, tiirtatiously offering his
wife hospitality. He 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. Whitcombs pretty face and
aluring smile only annoyed him.
| She had made several gracious
speeches before he quite comprehend
ed any OF them. Then he realized
that she was saying, I'm 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: I'VE two poor mistreated
| wretches must try to console one ali
| other. mustn't WEI"
"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 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 wifes fault"
Wellington amazed himself by MS
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 it strangely thrilled
her. She ignored Ashton's existence
and listened for Mrs. Whitcombs next
retort. 1t consisted of 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 unncticed, he rose with
careless: Il think ri go to break
fast" and followed Mrs. Whitcomb.
The Wellingtons sat dOs-a-dos, Tor
some exciting seconds. and then on
sudden impulse, Mrs. Jimmie rose.
knelt in the seat and spoke across the
back OF 1t: ~
1T was very nice Of you to defend
! me, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
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 He protested. feebly:
James sounds so like "a butler.
Can't you call me Little Jimmie
AGAIN." .-.
Mrs. Wellington smiled induigent-
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"
80 am l-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 a resldence-el
-tOgether?"
: Mrs. Wellington's eyes grew little
sad. as she answered.: 1T would b
7 too lonesome waiting for you to rol
, home"
Jimmie stared at her. He felt tn,
. regret tn her voice and took strang'
+ courage from it. He hauled from hi
5 pocket his huge flask. and said quick
Q ly: We'll, 1t you're Jealous OF this
= I'll promise to cork 1T up forever"
d She shook her head skepttcatly
q You couldn't"
lust to prove it," he said, "Pl
chuck 1t out OF the window" II
flung up the sash and made ready t
hurl his enemy into the flying liant
scape.
d "Bravo!" cried Mrs. Wellington.
g But even as his hand was about
4. let go. he frightened hts clutch agail
d and pondered: 1T seems shame
l. waste It,"
It 81 thought So" said Mrs. Jimmi
e dropping perceptibly. Her husban
E. began to feel that, after all. she care
S. what became Of him.
d "I'n tell you." he said. III give
o to old Doc Temple. He takes h
straight"
n "Fine!"
lg He turned towards the seat whe
ID the clergyman and his wife were s
1t ting. oblivious OF the drama OF reco
10 ciltation playing so close at han
IN Little Jimmie paused. caressed Il
10 flask, and kissed 1t. Goodbye, O
,,ovmotoi" Then tossing his he