The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-07-29
Jimmy Found a
Way
He Told His Story In Spite Of
the Conspirators.
BY HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH

Jimmy Fitzgerald was downcast.
Everybody was against him, he told
himself, and in that sweeping gen.
eralization he included even Carroll.
For if it had not been for Carrolls
connivance, her tame submission to
the maneuvers of interfering rela-
tives, the words which had trembled
on his lips for three dragging
months would have been spoken
long ago.
From the standpoint of disin-
terested spectator Jimmy was ready
to admire the cleverness which so
far had circumvented him. "Good
team work." he denominated it.
The ingenious air with which
Grandmother Reynolds would ap-
pear to claim CAROLS assistance in
regard to a dropped stitch in her
knitting just when Jimmy was
bringing matters to climax and
Carroll was turning a most becom-
ing pink was only equaled by the
childlike innocence with which Car
rolls small brother would rush
bawling into the library with q
bloody handkerchief held to his
nose, interrupting an eloquent out
break beginning "Since the first
hour saw YOU
In Jimmy's estimation this was
all the harder to bear because he
was SO perfectly eligible. Charae-
ter and prospects alike were beyond
question. The most serious accuse
ton that could be brought against
the match was that both Of them
were young. CAROLS sister, Marie,
was Of the opinion that an engage
ment would be absurd, and Jimmy
thought he knew why. II George
Freeman, Marie's latest admirer,
had been as eager to propose as
Jimmy was, the latter young man
felt positive that no obstacle would
be put in his way.
With q dnplicity foreign to his
usually frank nature, Jimmy lost
no opportunity Of expressing to
Freeman the admiration with which
Marie inspired him. If the older
sister were once engaged or, better
still, married, Jimmy believed there
| would he hone for him.
Meanwhile the family opposition
showed itself in a system Of espion-
age which kept Jimmy's great avow-
al unspoken. II he suggested q
walk either Mrs. Reynolds declared
that CAROLS cold would not per-
NIT her to venture out or Marie in
vited herself to accompany them !;
if the theater, a chaperon was nee
essary. Whole souled cooperation
on CAROLS part would have re-
lieved the situation, but the girl
knew so well what Jimmy wanted
that her modesty shrank from Civ
ing him anything but the most neg
alive assistance. Accordingly Jim
my decided that she, too, was
against him and gave himself up
to thoughts of unutterable gloom.
He called one afternoon wearing
an expression of grim determine
ton which, if he had known it, put
the conspirators on their guard. He
was ushered into the family living
room, and Mrs. Reynolds entertain
ed him till Carroll came down.
Jimmy made few inane comments
on the weather, his eyes devouring
the pretty girlish figure seated de-
murely in the opposite corner.
"Its too fine a day for the
house." said Jimmy. Suppose we
take little walk"
Really, Carroll, DEAR" said Mrs.
Reynolds before Carroll could reply,
at won't do for you to leave the
house. Mrs. Baker is likely to want
you any moment. We have dress
maker here, Mr.. Fitzgerald" she
continued, turning to Jimmy with
her most charming smile.
Cant we sit on the piazza% sug-
gested Jimmy. Carroll agreed to
the suggestion. But, as it proved,
her small brother, Bob, was in pos
session Of the hammock, and he re-
manned for two hours, enlivening
the occasion by describing the ex-
PLOTS Of the ball team.
An ear splitting whistle in the
rear Of the house relieved them at
length Of Bob's company. With
out delay Jimmy plunged into the
subject uppermost in his mind.
Carroll, there's something I want
to say to you"
Carroll, Mrs. Baker is ready for
YOU" said Marie's voice behind the
parlor shutters. That she had been
waiting there, biding her time, jim
my could not doubt. Then the gate
clicked, and Mr.. Reynolds came up
the walk. He settled himself in the
chair Carroll had vacated, and he
and Jimmy talked politics till din
ner time.