The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1914-02-19
Reversing a
Decision
BY EDITH MELNo.

w**w%w~%%~%*%##%*@%@#$%*s*$
Thomas Henderson HOWE step
ped grandly from the elevator,
rather resentful Of the elevator
boys patFonizing pat on the head.
Men who come downtown on bust
ness should not be patted on the
head even II their mothers do pos
sess foolish ideas that curls are
cute. Men on business bent al
ways act Importantly and should be
treated With Difference.
The pat had the effect Of stitfen-
ing Thomas Henderson Howie's
small backbone to an unusual de-
gree Of Famrod stiffness, and il was
q very p0mp0us six-year-old who
entered Dorrington's Office.
Tim Darlington looked up from
q pile Of papers with a genial smile.
Welcome TO our city, Mr.. Thorn
Az HendersSs Howie," be cried.
@And what good fortune brings you
10 the Officer Surely you are not
about 10 be sued for breach Of
promiseg ! am afraid Of that little
Houston girl, or perhaps il is the
enbezxlement Of preserves again r.
tits letter" explained Tommy
stiltly, as he delivered the square
white envelope into Tina trem-
bling hands. Il viii be going NOS"
he added a. be turned away. Tim
raised bis hand.
-Wait moment, please be ask
ed. '.TheFe may be an answer"
Tommy climbed into the biggest
chair and settled himself with
quaint, old fashioned gravity, while
Darlington opened and read the
note. Twice the man read it, though |
the first time the words had scared |
themselves into his brain.
Il waA = cold, almost curt note
In which Jessie Howie acknowledge
cd the honor be had done her II |
Offering 10 make her his wife, an /
honor she declined, regrctting that
there had been anything In their
friendship to lead him 10 believe
that the friendship might grow 10
greater intimacy
Darlington smiled bitterly as he
read the last few lines. Surely be
bad had every reason to hope for
favorable answer to bic letter. Jes-
ste had been tenderness itself. With
. sigh he thrust thc letter into his
pocket and turned to his small viai-
Tor.
Il regret, Thomas Henderson
Howie,g he said Ia the playful ban
Ger that had been suggested by che
child's quaint dignity-~T regret
that my pleaaurahle anticipations
Of 9 Wild dissipation in soda water
and candy in celebration Of an ina
porsant event have been dashed 10
earth. But man turns TO drink both
to express bis Joys and drown his
sorrows. Therefore / pray you to
descend with mo to the drug store
on the ground floor and assist me
In the latter ceremony. They have
hot chocolate with whipped cream
mo. thank YOU said Tommy
politely. Il don't want any soda. y
Perhaps you prefer the stronger
tipple Of beef tea r suggested Dor
rington. 1T is q cup that cheers
without incbricty and can be rem
dorod quite palatable II you use
enough celery salt to disguise the
favor OF the beef extract. Shall
we goGv
Il don't want to no with you,"
said Tommy stolidly. II don't like
you any more. You make Jessie ,
cry
"That,s said Tim, els what theyI
cali an inversion Of facts. Your /
sister has made me cry" II
I'm glad Of it." said Tommy
cruelty. "You made her cry lots." /
"You are sure" asked Dorring-
ION quickly. She was crying over
my letter."
Lots" declared Tommy with q
weeping gesture that suggested
very food of tears. Il went to her ]
room to get her 20 sew the tail on 9
ny dog again. She vas crying aw- Z
Tully, and she was kissing your let j
ier and saying things"
Darlington moved closer to che ]
BOY. "You don't remember what '
The said. do your" he pleaded gent q
y. "See II you can't think, Tom y
ny, boy. Try hard, laddie."
Thomas Henderson HOWE knit v
ed his brows thoughtfully and as
listed the mental process by sol
,mnly wriggling his right foot.
at was something about mean a
-