Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-24

She hardly knew what number Of
thread she bought, so great was hei
holland was sweeping the sitting
room when Miss Jessup entered ana
told her news. las big as that! she
said, measuring the diamond by her
little fingernall. Nov, where did
Coates Skinner get the money for
he's run his face for it somewhere
or else it's an, imitation"
Mrs. Holland sighed piously. 81
knew her mother" she said. she
was an awful good woman. She'd
turn over in her grave II she knew
what that girl is up to-"
Seems to me Emma can't know,
said Miss Jessup. Il should THINK
somebody'd tell her"
Somebody ought. to-" murmured
Mrs. Holland.
Then and there resolve crystallized
in Miss Jessup's warped little sixty
year-old heart. She would go to EN-
ma Granger before she slept and tell
her the truth about Coates Skinner.
For twenty years Miss Jessup s
chief business in life had been med
ding with other folks affairs. At
half past seven o'clock that evening
she stopped through the slush TO
Mrs Bakers rather isolated little
dwelling, mounted the front stairs
and knocked at Emma Changers door,
Emma opened II.
"Why, good evening, Miss Jessup,"
she said in surprise. won't you
come in?"
Eyes, I will" replied Miss Jessup.
I've come on purpose to see you" -.
That's very nice of you, I'm sure,
Emma said. She gave Miss Jessup
rocking chair and resumed her own
seat near the lamp.
"Mebby you won't think so when j
state my GRAND" Miss Jessup began
sternly. 1--WE come to warn you
against that awful Coates skinner
AS Emma started to speak she went
on fvehemently: Maybe you don't
does. Folks feel awful bad about see
ing you around with him."
Emma sat very quietly looking at
her work. She was pale, but when
she lifted her eyes they were calm.
I'm sure il is out of kind solicitude
for my welfare that you have VEN
tured to come to me like this" she
said, land so l shall let 1t pass at
that. Miss Jessup, nobody could be
more careful guardian of my ac-
tions than / am myself. As for
Coates Skinner-you can't tell me
anything about him 1 don't know. ]
like him. We were little children
together, and sometimes. when
mother was very poor, after father
died, Coates mother provided for
L
has a good heart; his greatest crimes
are weakness and instability OF
character. and he's trying hard now
to overcome. those. If l can help
him I shall. Another thing, Miss
Jessup," she paused an instant,
when 1 came back to Arden, Coates
was about the only person of all ]
used to know who remembered me.
I appreciated that" She took up
her sewing and began to stitch
swiftly.
Miss Jessup got off her chair. She
said, II see I've done no good, but
at least my conscience is clear. If
you will throw yourself away on
him, you will, and nobody can stop
you. Good evening"
As she went down the stairs Miss
| Jessup thought she heard Emma
| Granger laughing behind her closed
door.
A month later the whole town was
startled by the news that Emma
married that same week to a man
from the .city-a lean, brown man,
who had Just returned from long
engineering job at Panama. His
name was John Downing and Mrs.
Baker said he had lots Of money.
only witnesses to the marriage,
which took place in her parlor.
Coates gave Emma a set of silver
spoons and he wept when he parted
from her.
you've been awful good to me- %
he said. "Pl never forget it. And
I'll try to do like you said"
He is still trying and succeeding
better than one would think. As for
Emma she has passed out of the life
of Arden forever. But her name is
| frequently mentioned, for she Gre
ated a sensation after all. Miss Jes-
sup. however, avoids all references
to her. The whole affair is a sore
subject with her. And no wonder.