The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1920-02-20

20. 1890 by Mcclure Newspaper sSndcats.l
lack Harding had two hours to wait
before his train was due TO leave. He
was sauntering along with the crowd.
when be felt heavy hand on Ills
shoulder. and turning around. he was
exceedingly surprised 10 greet his
old friend and college chum, Dick Har-
rington After the usual exclama-
lions and hearty hand-shakes. they
I proceeded TO talk OF their college days
I and bushes interests. Excuse me,
had quite forgotten to inquire about
| Mrs Jack Harding" Jack blew a
| puff of smoke into the air. and turn
ing to his friend, said: "DIck I have
never had the pleasure of meeting
MRS. Jack Harding" Dick looked at
Jack with a 4uizzical smile. and a
| merry twinkle In his dark eyes. After
] heard that Jean and you were en-
gagged. expected every day to receive
an invitation to the wedding, and for
some time | scanned the dailles to see
where Jack Harding had succumbed
| to the charms of the beautiful Miss
Jean Wetherbee only daughter of
| Hon. and Mrs. Douglas Grant Weth-
| erbee." Dick suddenly closed his re-
cital. as Jack moved uneasily, and toss
ing his cigar away, exclaimed with APP
parent surprise: "Dick, Jean and
were very happy until her mother de-
cided to take Jean on European trip
for several months. After an absence
Of four months, which had seemed a
lifetime to me, ! received word that
| they were about to return, to which
was looking forward to happy meet
ing with Jean, and vowed nothing
would separate us again.
"Father called me into his office one
morning and told me | must pack at
ance and sail for England. 1t was OF
the utmost Importance. The business
| had TO be attended to at once. Father
| was not able to make the trip. I
| was to remain away at least three
months and then 90 to Paris for sew
eral weeks tried in vain to per-
i snade father to send Proctor. who
had been for years in his employ.
There was nothing left for me to do
but pack and leave on the next boat
for Liverpool.
/ 81 had just time to attend to these
details and write hurried note OF
i regret to Jeans home to be delivered
1 to her on her arrival. I was not so
busy but found time to write every
day to Jean, but all my letters were
returned to me unopened. This made
me feel very dnwn-hearted. as l had
explained everything, If Jean had only
been reasonable and read my letters.
1t WAS just FIVE months to u day when
returned to the States.
at did not take me long to spin
In the direction of Jeans home, only
to find she had left the day before
very little from the servants. until one
of them came with package that
Jean had left to be delivered to me.
It contained with other presents. the
engagement ring That was FIVE years
ago l have never seen her or heard
from her since"
n Jack paused and hastily looking at
i his watch, exclaimed "Well. Dick, It
has got to be good-by. / have just
time to make my train" Dick grasned
Jacks arm and with firm but kindly
voice, exclaimed. "Do you suppose !
have found YOU to lose you SO sooni
Won are Dot going on that train. You
| are going home with me. want Won
to see Elsie again. You know lean
and Elsie used to be the dearest
Of friends, | want you to see my new
home and how happy we are. / know
Elsie will be delighted to meet an old
friend" said Dick hurriedly, as he
saw lack was about to decline
After a few more urgent appeals
Jack was convinced, Dick telephoned
srom his Office TO Elsie he was TO
bring home an old friend to dinner.
Dick stopped his car at what Jack
thought the most beautiful house on
the street. Issek was made to feel
right at home by the delightful greet
ing of Elsie, who came out to meet
them, looking up so dainty and fair.
JuSh tliVuSHl uOW iOitSie always
seemed to smile on his dear old
friend, Dick, while he-his thoughts
i were cut short, as he was being ush-
cred Into large charmingly ar.
/ fanged living room. But who was the
woman at the piano in white, vision
! Of loyelinessf Hearing the approach,
| Ing footsteps and animated voices, the
lady turned. Their eyes met. Then
voices rang out simultaneously. 7
Mrs. Elsie made a hurried excuse to
return to the culinary department.
closely followed by Dick.
/, In less than six months there was
4, added another beautiful suburban
home presided over by Mr.. and Mrs.
Jack Harding. who are just as happy
as the "Harringtons."
One morning year later Dick meet
ing Jack on the street, stopped to In
qpire How Is Mrs. Jack Harding2r
Jack, his handsome face wreathed
with smiles, joyruIiy exclaimed: "She
Is very well and so is Jack. Jr."