The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1921-01-07
CHAPTER Iv-Continued.

For two months he had existed en-
tirely because Of the leniency of Moth
or jerks In the matter of credit. He
could not pay her cash, devoutly ms he
hoped to do some day, and he consld-
cred It of the most vital Importance
that in the interim he should some
how survive Therefore, in lieu Of
cash he paid her compliments, which
she snapped up greedlly.
An inventive genius was Billy. He
never employed the same defensive
tactics two DAYS In succession, and
when personal fiattery threatened to
fail him, large crayon reproduction
Of the late Henry jerks, which hung
over the back bar, was a never-failing
source Of inspiration.
This was the "sainted Emery" pre-
yiously referred TO by Mother jerks.
He had been sergeant in Her Brit
tanic Majesty's Royal Horse artillery.
ard upon retiring to the reserve HAD
hardened to n proposition to emIgrate
10 Sobrante and accept n commission
ms colonel OF artillery with the gov
eminent forces then In the throes of
revolutionary attack. The rebels had
triumphed. and as n result Emery had
been sainted via the customary eX-
pedItious route; whereupon his wife
had had recourse to her early profess
sion of barmad, and FL Buen Amigo
had resulted.
However. let us return TO our
Sleeps, as Mr.. Geary would have eS-
pressed II. Seemingly the effect OF
Billy's compliment was instantly evil
dent, for Mother jerks set out two
glasses and n bottle.
81 know yer triner, Willy Geary,"
she slmpered, "but IL ] DO sly it as
shouldn't, | was accounted as and
some barmaid ms you'd find in Bris-
toll town. I've lost my good looks,
what with grief an worrltin' since
iosln' my sainted Emery, but / was
'andsome oncet."
81 can well believe II, Mother
since you are handsome still For my
part" he continued confidentlaly, as
with shaking hand he filled his brandy
glass, "you'll excuse this drunkard's
drink, Mother, but need II; 4 had the
rhakes again last night-f6r my part,
l prefer the full-blown rose to the
bud"
Mother jerks futtered like n debu-
tante as she poured her drink. They
touched glasses, calloused worldlings
that they were.
< He tossed Off his drink. 1t warmed
and strengthened him, after his night
Of chills and fever, and brazenly he re-
turned to the attack.
"Changing the subject from feminine
grace and charm TO manly strength
and virtue, I've been marking lately
the resolute pOise of your martyred
husbands head on his fine military
shoulders. There was man. II ! may
Judge from his photograph. that would
light a wildcat"
"Ob, m'ybe e woudntw Mother
jerks hastened to declare. you know,
Willie. was present wen they shot
I'm, a-waltln' to claim is body. II
kisses me goodbye, an says e: Brace
up, oil girl. Remember your 'usband's
been n sergeant In Err Majesty's Royal
Orse artillery, an don't let the bloody
blighters see yer cry Then q walks
out front, with is fine straight back
TO the wall. draws circle on Us blue
tunic with white chalk an says:
Shoot at that, yer yeller-bellied
saunders, an be ID to yerr"
TO be the widow Of such a gallant
son Of Mars" Billy declared. "is a
greater honor than being the wife Of
duke. Ab. Mother" he added with
note of genuine gratitude and sim
certify, you've been awfully good to
rue. don't know what I'd have done
without YOU" He laid his hand on her
fat arm. Mother, one of these days
TIL get mine, and when DO I'm going
20 stake you to nice little pub back
IN Bristol"
She smiled at him with motherly
tenderness and shook her head. In
concrete niche In the morruary OF the
Catedral de Ia Vera Cruz the bones
Of her sainted Emery reposed, and
when her hour came she would lie be-
side him.
eyer a sweet boy, Willie" she told
him, FAN I'd trust yer for double the
score. sheip me. Ewing knows
'ayent much. but wot ave shares
freely with them ] likes"
Mother jerks preceded him into the
shady sida Of the vsranda where or.