The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-28
Daily Short Story
POOR JIMMY'S DILEMMA

Al the Reid house there Vas greet ex-
cement and hustle OF preparation. Feo-
buEzed madlv. the grocer VS. Al A..
hack door. the florist az the side door fr
ne kitchen two nsighhors Who had come
in 70 help were tcinE cake and craekInE
nuts. In the uarlor there vas a litter ia
potted plants and ribbon. upstairs fn
the best chamber a rock OF girls were
ch2ttering over the opening OF "a great
box that had just been sent in from the
dressmaker s. All the house smelled 90
conee and carnations, OF roses ard
chicken.
The reason for al this vas that Ada
Reid was 60 b. married that evening.
she bad come from the city where she
had been employed Tor three years with
a new diamond ring q a n \ OF
new clothes. and a noticeable air OF im-
port8nce.
During the two weeks since. there had
been a constant Hurry OF coming snd
going. chatter and laughter. Ada was "A
center Of admiration and interest. She
h1u been showered and feted and feast
"a 70 weSriness. But now there Was a
fresh thrill. for the carriage had been
sent To the station 20 meet the bride
groom and the best man. who were
scheduled 10 arrive by the ! o'clock ex-
press from the city.
Jimmy Reid. Ade's elder aud only
pfothcr. wearing "a very uncomfortable
collar and a glowing new tie. was stand
ing about helplcssly. feeling very much
In the way and miserably conscious that
he was TOO big 10 Stand In the corner
He was = tall young fellow. with A DARK
sober face that was a. once proud and
shy and sensitive He YVES "A silent soul.
with a large opinion OF all things human
save himself. II he had placed the
proper cstimat upon his own mental
aud physical eNccllenC, he would long
uEo have spoken his mind TO little Julia
Carr. who was his sit-r's dearest friend.
and with whom a. had been In love since
his earliest boyhood.
julia was there now. fitting about the
house upon the innuuicrrblc little err
rands Of a prospective bridesmaid. once
IN = while she threw him a glance or
pushed him aside as she passed. Even
those crumbs Of her favor We're better
Than none and Jimmy. patiently adorinr.
was glad to be able TO watch her a. she
came aud went before HIM.
From kitchen TO patIor he roamod in
"A sorry state OF restlessness end in
aptitude. In the parior at length he
came 10 a halt regarding dazediy the
construction OF the floral arch under
meath which the was 10 be
performed. He had done most OF the
work upon II under Iuiia's direction. and
she had been 2 difficult task mistress
NcNc r had his fingers seemed so clumsy
or his wits so slow. Yet the thing did
look pretty now that 10 was done. With
a pang OF jealousy. Jimmy thought or
the best man who ives t. stand with
Julia under thet arch and share the
honors or the occasion. Ada had had so
much to say In praise OF him aud Of her
hetrothcd-how elegant they were. how
Iauitless IN manner. poor Jimmy. lis
etntnE. was made to feel back woodsV"
and objectionable. Girls liked handsome.
stylish men. ida had chosen one. He
iclt dc~pairingly That she Wad inclined
4" make e. match between the best man
and Julia. when. of course. she must
know Oh" st't. of his feelings in regard
10 the girl.
How could be stand back and see IuIi,
step under this arch with that man-a
handsome man whom she would prob
ahlN be ready enough Co fan ia love
with. lie clenched his hands nercely.
The arch danced mockingly before his
eyes. Then "a bright little voice recalled
him 10 his senses.
Jimmy! Jimmy" u was Julia. run
ming downstairs. a radiant figure in her
thin pink dress. Jimmy. that paskag.
hasn't come from Crnmef's vet. though
We phoued and phoned. We must have
a. Its something very special. You e.
this minute and get IT, And blow the
trainer up properly
Jimmy stood teastiuC his hungry eyes
upon the vivid charm Of her face and
stethlng with uuutterahle longing. She
seized his arm and gave him . shake.
stupid DO YOU hear Now 20 and
do Try and get back before your father
: returns from the sta.iou Will those men.
? Nou'U have To run"
She turned her back on him and left
. The room.
Jimmy ran. II was some distance 20
3 Cramcr's As he hurried. he glanced at
his watch. In the far distance. he heard
the arriving train whistle. There was no
use ln killing himself trying To- get back
. Z" the house before those men reached
thefe ana AZ any rate b. he dtd not he
would be spared the misery 90 seeing
Julia introduced Co them. lie reached
tramer iu O. rathcr br,athlsss cundi-
ton. uevtItF eless. 10 find that the pack
age had been sent hy "a
have reached the house about the time
he left 60.
There was nothing for Jimmy 10 do
but depart and he aid 80 without any
un1eressary waste Of words. lie lag
sea home uIeaullg. As he approached
the house De heard y gale OF Ltught.r
and conservation. Ills natural dlnId.use
Z "tercame him % he sucakrd around o.,
The back door intending Go escape quiet
IN 20 his room. But. alias. his Nuut
Maria stood there with her glasses ON.
scrutiuiziug q dish OF icsiug that .d
not seem Co be- hardening as rapidly a-
20 should.
Where have you been she ]iuruira-
and bounced upon him. What's be,om.
% your Come with me into
the parloT.'
Sine took him .uto The parlor There
was 90 lull iu the bilurity uuon their fo.rr
.utraure Tho uurlur was full Of people.
TIE felt IuIla.s disdIIufuI eyes upDn him
as she turned her attcuuuv for one iu-
slant from the best man. with whom she
was converting in her ~sprichtlicst man
rer.
YES he was handsome Poor Jimmy
-aW thHt And DE seemed 90 have ~
Z once singled Julia out for his zpestai
favor. I'm That terrible moment wherein
De realized these things. Jimmy could
'liuN or nothing moro desirable than
'' druu dead OF the feet of his cruel
love But. Instead OF dropping dead No.
hNed. apparently with composurc aus