The Holbrook news., 1922-06-16
REFORMING JIMMY
By LILY WANDEl

its breath.
 shell fall out of love as quickly as she came in, Jimlny'll see 10 that" prophesied her younger brother, George.
 It's an awful disgrace" walled her sister Marie. The very idea We, of the best old family in the county, the arisiocratic Moreheads-and Jimmy O'Toole, the black sheep of even such q family as the O'TOole's. Besides. he's younger than she.
 Utterly incOmprehensible to me, ,' declared the mother gravely. "Alvina haS always been so conventional al most too much, and so very particular with whom she associated
 The door opened and the family looked somewhat embarra sSed as q slim young woman her refined, sweet features fairly shining with happiness, came into the room.
 ''Oh. you've been discussing me don't deny it." she laughed.
 My dear. the whole town is dis cussing you" her sister deplored.
 II don't care. Neither does Jimmie Y with defiant. good humor.
 "Oh. Jimmie OToole, he's used to nOtoriety.'
 If Alvina Winced no one noticed eX- cept her mother My dear said the latter gently. Il am very much con cerned about you. Jimmie O'TOOle has not the best of reputations and l can not see how such marriage will bring you any happiness"
 May I add wOrd?" asked the broth and without waiting for per cause Jimmie isn't the sticking kind Hes flattered at present that he has been able to bowl over the most con sciN ative girl in town."
 Alvina'S quick eye went from one to tine other. You all have forgotten one lhing-that we love each other There's another thing, too, I'm going to reform Jimmie"
 Things went along beautifully for week or two. Alvina glowing with happiness. the town and her family still skeptical. Then one evening Jim liie missed an engagement and Alvina waited in vain.
 IL was George who brought the bad news Well, Jimmie's fallen off knew it. with a grim laugh.
 'Of course, I did, too came Al vina's surprising reply; "he is nc angel-it's difficult to break bad habits all at once. I've been quite prepared for one or two slipbacks"
 The family only sighed. The next day Jimmie appeared repentant, full of new promises.
 There were several more Slipbacks and Alvina's face became slightly drawn and anxious
 Jimmie's calls became less frequent and the family felt that the end of Alvina's love affair was near. while Alvina herself grew pale and pinched looking.
 It happened one evening when Al vina waited with growing nervousness for Jimmie They were to hear a lee ture on thosght-cOntrol. and he had promised faithfully to be there at sev en-thirty. Alvina waited, her nervous ness famed by the family's remarks The clock struck eight. eight-thirty and no Jimmy in sight At nine O'clOcb Alvina burst into tears and went tC her room, locking the door. .l. :,~l- rl, ,..st ft..r htr,N breaking the engagement" remarked her mother to the other two. "POOi child. and she loved him so much " The next morning a different Alvina came down to breakfast. Not trace of nervousness, anXiousness or hurry in her manner.
 After an hours shopping she called up Jimmie and asked him to take hei for lunch.
 Jimmie" Alvina was saying at tucked-away table in a tea room i've given up reforming you" That means gOOd-by, l guess, ht deducted with a sigh. high relieved half unhappy. Not that l blame you Alvina, you've been an angel and Tn not good enough to buckle your shoes But I want to say this much. dear that all you've done has not been en tirely for nothing There always wa: a remnant of self-respect in me, love and admiration for the fine things ol | life
 Jimmy O'Toole," Interrupted Al vina smilingIy, I've given up reform ing you, but not loving you! I've beer a prude and poke and l expected tht l impossible of you. Look here, she un wrapped bundle, ''all the newes sporting magazines" and bringing z | shining article from her bag. "a cigar cite case. And here," she drew from | her purse two tickets, flor q musica comedy tonight! Now what do vol say?'
 Jimmie did not touch the things be fore him, but took Alvina's slim fingers l in his brown hands. and his voice wher | he spoke was husky and low. "Tha | you are the finest woman 1 know | that love you too much ever to givt you up and that l will make no more promises in the future. This partner
 ship will be a fifty-ffty proposition 1 because Eve grown to like some O. | your books and ideas She smiled at him through hel
 tears and whispered, "Nothing reall! l n1