The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-12-16

speak to my old pal? Or course ! 40.
And now that l have seen you we are
going to have good, old-fashioned
chat, but we can't stand here III this
wet and talk. I am living with my
married sister now and just came
downtown for few things to hang on
the kiddies' tree. Come on up and
help us fix the things"
jake thanked her but remonstrat-
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 q 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 tiny Christmas
tree on stand in the corner of the
room or else they didn't care, for nei-
Their evinced 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 last
peek at the sleeping Riddles and called
jake to see them. %
AS the little group stood in the door
way jake noticed that John put his
arm about Maude's waist and that the
light in Maude's eyes shone with Pc
culiar brilliance as she snuggled
closer. 1t was a picture Of domestic
love and felicity and it touched jake
deeply. ....'
John and Maude having retired for
the night, jake and Marie were left
alone in the parlor.
Seated before the fireplace, where
the gas log was throwing forth a
CHEEKY heat, jake asked Marie about
herself.
She had left the chorus and all her
former gay companions and was now
employed in millinery establishment.
whats the matter with the show
gamer" asked jake. TOO fast for
your
Eyes, jake. Somehow or other
I couldn't let myself drift like the
others had, and when came up here
to live with Maude and John and the
kids, we'll, they didn't think it was
the best thing for the kids to have
their aunt in the chorus. Not that
they objected to the chorus part OF
it, but then there are SO many other
things that go with it. The gay CON-
pany, the loose way of living and
things of that sort
$50 you cut it out for the sake of
the kids?"
Eyes, for the kids and for my own
sake. l was becoming tired OF the
life, and the home life here seemed to
touch something in me and make me
want to live right There is nothing
in that fast life, jake; the right way
is the only way. You may prosper for
a time on the wrong road, but sooner
or later you come to grief"
Yes, she was right. Jake knew. The
wrong way had dragged him down.
Drink and loose companions had
brought him to his present level.
For long time he sat and gazed
at the fire. When next he spoke
there was tenderness in his voice
such as had never been there before.
"Say, Marie" he said, do you think
you could help me get on the right
track, the honest road? l want to try.
I see how happy you are and what
change it has made in you. l am go.
ing to try
Tenderly she put her hand on his
arm. Il am glad that you will try.
You know l always liked you, jake.
Somehow you were different from the
rest of the old crowd, for you were
always a gentleman in your manner.
You would never stand for the real
rough stuff"
That's the kindest thing have
heard for two years." said Jake
slowly, as he patted the small hand
that still lay on his arm.
Suddenly he stiftened in his chair
as thought seized him.
Marie" he asked tenderly," is there
any fellow, right now, that you think
a lot Of? You know the way mean"
mo, jake, not now" she answered
slowly, as she understood why he
asked. Then she added, but there
might be if"
IF he were right-living sort of
A-NS l. ~