The Sneedville news. (Sneedville, Tenn.) 191?-19??, 1922-06-02
REFORMING JIMMY
BY LILY WANDEl

its breath.
shell fall out of love as quickly as
she came in. Jimmy'll see to that.
prophesied her younger brother
George.
Its an awful disgrace" walled her
sister Marie. The very idea. We. of
the best old family In the county, the
aristocratic Moreheads-and Jimmy
O'Toole, the black sheep of even such
a family us the O'ToOle's! Besides,
he's younger than she."
Utterly incomprehensible To me-.
declared the mother gravely. "Alyins
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 embarrassed as n
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.
IL don't care. Neither does Jimmie y
with defiant. good humor.
"Oh. Jimmie O'Toole. he's used to
nOtOriety.'
II Alvina WINGED 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 regulations and can
not see how such marriage will bring
you any happiness"
"May I add "A wordT' asked the
brother and, without waiting for per-
mission. 'you'll never marry him. be-
cause Jimmie Isn't the sticking kind.
He's flattered ut present that he has
been able 10 bowl over the most con-
sentative girl In town."
Alvina's quick eye went from one
to the other. you all have forgotten
one thlng-that we love each other.
There's another thing. too, I'm going
to reform Jimmie"
Things went along beautifully for
week or two. Alyina glowing with
happiness, the town and her family
still skeptIcal. Then one evening jim
mie missed an engagement and Alvina
waited In vain.
II was George who brought the bad
news. well. Jimmie's fallen OIL
knew IT," with grim laugh.
"Of course. I did. too" came Al
vina's surprising reply; che Is nd
angel-it's difficult to break bad habits
all at once. I've been quite prepared
for one or two siipbacksr'
The family only sighed. The next
day Jimmie appeared rspsstsa4 'fsn
OF new promises.
There were several more slipbacks
and Alvina's face became slightly
drawn and anxious.
Jlmmie's calls became less frequent
and the family felt that the end Of
Alvlna's love affair was near, while
Alvina herself grew pale and plnched-
looking.
II happened one evening when Al
vina waited with growing nervousness
for Jimmie. They were 10 hear lee
ture on thocght-control. and he had
promised faithfully to he there ut sew
en.thIrty. Alvinn waited. her nervous
ness famed by the family's remarks
The clock struck eight. elght-thlrty.
and no Jimmy In sight. Al nine o'clock
Alvina burst into tears and went to
her room. locking the door.
"I think she is writing him letter
breaking the engagement" remarked
her mother Ia the other two. Poor
child. and she loved him so muchl"
The next morning different Alvina
came down Ia breakfast. Not a trace
of nervousness. anxiousness or hurry
I'm her manner.
After an hours shopping she called
M Jimmie and asked him TO take her
for lunch.
Jimmie" Alvina was saying nj a
tucked-away table In tea room I've
given up reforming your"
Tint mesns good-by. ] guess" he
deducted with n sigh. high relieved,
half unhappy. "Not that blame you.
AIyIna, you've been an angel and I'm
not good enough to buckle your shoes
But want Ia say this much dear.
that all you've done has not been en-
tIrely for nothing. There always was
q remnant Of selfrespect In me. love
and admiration for the fine things 81
life"
Jimmy OToole," Interrupted Al
vina smilingly. 1--WE given NJ reform
Ing you. hut not loving you! I've been
q prude aud a poke aud expected the
impossible 81 you. Look here" she un-
wrapped bundle, "all the newest
sporting magazines" and bringing n
shining article from her bag IA cigar
cite case. And here" she drew from
her purS. two tickets. for a musical
comedy tonight! Now what do you
sayT'
Jimmie did not touch the things he
fore him. hut iook Alvina's slim fingers
In his brown hands. and his voice when
he spoke was husky aud low. That
Won are the finest woman { know.
that I love you too much ever to give
You NJ aud that I will make NO more
promises Ia the future. This partner
ship will be ffty-hfiy proposition.
because I've grown to like soiBe Of
1.ur la- h and ideas"
She smiled ~ him through her
So. -r.F a. HH.raars-H wN.ffffuw really