The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-09-05


began 10 reverse the lower courts do
cision, point by point
He felt a sudden recrudescence a
| jealousy as he heard Ashton's voice
unctuously. fiirtatiously offering his
wife hospitality. He wanted 10 trounce
| Ashton. But what right had he &c
defend from gallantry the woman he
was about 10 forswear before the
world? Jimmie's soul was In turmoil,
and Mrs. Whitcombs pretty face and
alluring 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 10 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 little
closer. do you know that feel al
most related 10 you, Mr.. Wellington
Related" he echoed, "you?-to
me? How"
My husband Knew your wife so
well"
Somehow a wave OF jealous rage
surged over him, and he growled:
Your husband is n scoundrel."
Mrs. Whitcombs smile turned TO
vinegar: "Oh. | can't permit you 10
slander the poor boy behind his back.
IL 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 slander my wife behind her
! back. II 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. Whitcombs next
retort. II consisted of a simple, icy
drawl: 81 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: II think I'll go 10 break
fast" and followed Mrs. Whitcomb.
The Wellingtons sat dos-a-dos for
some exciting seconds, and then on a
| kp1nnt II mi
knelt in the seat and spoke across the
back OF IT:
''It was very nice of you TO defend
me, Jimmie-er-Jame
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"
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 for
six months at least-while We estab-
lish a residence. Couldn't we-er--
couldn't we establish a Residences
together"
Mrs. Wellington's eyes grew a little
sad, as she answered: 1T would be
too lonesome waiting for you TO roll
home
Jimmie stared at her. lie felt the
regret in her voice and took strange
courage from il. He hauled from his
pocket his hugs flask, and said quick
ly: Well, if you're jealous OF this,
III promise TO cork il up forever"
She shook her head skepticaly:
You couldn't"
Just TO prove It," he said. III
chuck II out of the window" He
flung up the sash and made ready 10
hurl his enemy into the flying land
scape.
Bravo" cried Mrs. Wellington.
But even as his hand was about 10
let go. he tightened his clutch again,
and pondered: 1T seems a shame TO
waste st."
Il thought So" said Mrs. Jimmie.
dropping perceptibly. Her husband
began 10 feel that. after all, she cared
what became OF him.
III tell you" he said, IN give Il
10 old Doc Temple. lie 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 IL. Goodbye, old .
playmate" Then, tossing his head .
with bravado. he reached out and 4
touched the clergyman's shoulder. Dr
Temple turned and rose with a ques.
tioning look. Wellington put the flask
in his hand and chuckled: Merry
Christmas,"