Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-12-16

''u "Oulu want TO speak &c
me or not"
SHY laughed Marie Want to
speak to my old pal? OF course / do
ANA now that have seen you we are
gong TO have a good, old-fashioned
chat, but we can't stand here IN this
wet and talk. am living with my
married sister now and Just came
downtown for few things to hang on
the Riddles tree Come on I'D and
help us fix the things"
jake thanked her, but remonslrat
ed that his attire was scarcely suit
able for an evening call. Marie In.
sisted that his clothes made no differ.
ence to her and that her sister would
surely think the same. Anyway, no
matter what her sister might think,
jake was her friend, and that set.
tied IT,
They walked to Fourth avenue and
took the subway to Harlem, Jake in.
sisting on spending ten cents of his
precious quarter for the carfare, al
though Marie had tried to shove a
dime into his hand.
On the way up jake told his story,
laying the blame on hard luck and the
state officials who had put racing on
the bum.
Marie listened with quiet attention,
nodding her head here and there and
interfering a question now and then
as the ex-bookie seemed about to drift
away from his story.
Jake was introduced to Maude and
John. her husband They were either
too busy decorating a tiny Christmas
tree on stand in the corner of the
room or else they didn't care, for nei-
Their eyinced disapproval of jake.
He was made to feel at home in
the little family circle, and entered
with keen enjoyment the work of trim
ming the tree and arranging the pres
, ents for the two children fast ASLEEP
in the next room.
The final arrangement completed
> Maude and her husband took a las
peek at the sleeping Riddles and called
= Jake to see them.
]" AS the little group stood in the door
It way Jake noticed that John put hi
II arm about Maudes waist and that tn
light in Maude's eyes shone with pc
IL culiar brlliance as she snuggle
ID closer. 1t was a picture of domesti
III love and felicity and it touched Jaki
deeply.
u John and Maude having retired fo
u the night. jake and Marie were lei
o. alone in the parlor.
IL Seated before the fireplace. wher
the gas log was throwing forth
\ CHEEKY heat, jake asked Marie abol
n herself.
ii She had left the chorus and all hi
Y former gay companions and was no
employed in a millinery establishment
whats the matter with the sho
\ game?" asked jake. 100 fast II
Al you?"
III YES. Jake. Somehow or 9th
W couldn't let myself drift like Il
Al others had. and when ! came up he
III TO live with Maude and John and I
vi kids. well. they didn't think it W
Nj the best thing for the kids to ha
Al their aunt in the chorus. Not II
they objected TO the chorus part
III II but then there are so many otf
WI things that go with 1t. The gay &C
III pany. the loose way OF living
vi things of that sort
vi so YOU cut it out for the sake
III the kids"
al Eyes. for the kids and for my o
vi sake. l was becoming tired OF
n life and the home life here seemed
II touch something in me and make
III want TO live right. There is moth
Al in that fast life, Jake; the right
- is the only way. You may prosper
IA a time on the wrong road but 500
TI or later you come to GRIEF.
~ Yes. she was right. Jake knew.
y wrong way had dragged him do
# Drink and loose companions
brought him to his present level.
For a long time he sat and ga
hin Mt the fire When next he ST
non there was a tenderness in his
and such as had never been there bel
ow- "Sav. Marie" he said. do you Il
non Won could help me get on the 7
ting track the honest road? l want to
on I see how happy you are and VIII
change it has made in you. l an
OF ing to try"
wav Tenderly she put her hand on
face arm. 81 am glad that you will
,ure You know l always liked you, j
ross Somehow you were different from
yes rest of the old crowd. for you
lest always a gentleman in your mai
, he You would never stand for the
ould rough stuff"
fell "That's the kindest thing l
din heard for two years" said
shed SLOWLY. as he patted the small
In. that still lay on his arm.
his Suddenly he stiffened In his
the as a thought seized him.
Marie" he asked tenderly,' is
elcd any fellow, right now, that you
not a lot of? You know the way m
, all mo. jake. not now she ans'
turn slowly, as she understood VIII
k TO asked. Then she added, but
might be if"
ar of IF he were a right-living sc
Jarie fellow" broke in jake.
right Yes