Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-02-04
JIM
AND HIS
DECISION
By n. M. ECBERT
Copyright b. ". O. Chapman

Tan-tan island and looked out
across the sea, as be had done
v each day for more than a year.
Everybody in Tan-tan knew Jim Ben
nett, and the raggedest beschcomber
sneered when his name was men
TONED. II was not so much the
depths to which he had fallen as the
fact that he had fallen so far.
Three years ago he had left San
Francisco 10 make his fortune IN the
South seas and had come back to
marry Elsie Dale. But her father was
other Ideas for Elsle's future Every
thing depended, then, on Jlm's making
good on the copra trading trip, In
which he had sunk his little capital.
At least, so far as marrying Elsie
was concerned. Her father would
never consent. Jim knew Jack Dale
too well TO hope for that. But II the
trip succeeded Jim could afford to
bear the old mans enmity, and Elsie
had said she would.
The ship was wrecked on an IN
eharted reef of Tan-tsn. Jim saw
his little capital lost. He had barely
the fare home. Despair took hold of
him. then the lethargy Of the life in
the little place. He had sunk down
and down. He had at last written to
Elsie releasing her-and had forgot
ten.
He had quite forgotten by the time
Elsle's letter arrived. She had told
him that she was going to wait three
years. II at the end Of that time he
did not claim her. she would feel
free. But she loved him; let him re-
member that every day Of his life.
At the end of the first year Jim re-
membered 1t occasionally. He was
employed In one Of the island re-
sorts. At the end Of the second year
he had a hazy recollection. Then he
was doing odd Jobs along the wharf.
At the end Of the third year, when he
was nothing but a beachcomber, he
remembered again, this time more
clearly.
He remembered 1t when the month
ly vessel arrived. He expected that
II would carry a letter for him. No
letter had been at the post office and
yet, when Jim looked up and saw a
young, athletic American, neatly
dressed. with sun helmet and blue
glasses, approaching him, he was sure
that he had come upon business con-
corning Elsie.
Jim looked up laxily from among the
little group Of fellow loafers, and won
dered how any man could find the
energy to walk at that gait in such
sun. The young man drew up to the
group and stopped.
ANY of you men know a fellow
named Jim Bennettp he inquired.
The man nearest Jim nudged him
lazily; the rest did not even shift their
eyes from the far horizon.
I'm Jim Bennett" said Jim, rising.
He saw the astonishmSnt upon the
young mans face.
"will you please come over herer
asked the stranger.
lie led him about fifty yards away,
out Of the hearing Of the others. He
might have saved himself the trouble,
for those who were not asleep In the
shade had already forgotten Jlm's ex-
istence. When they stood together
upon the sand the young man took
Jini by the shoulders and swung him
round, facing him.
Are you Jim Bennett or are you
lylngf" he demanded, In crisp. nervous
accents.
For an instant Jim felt the resent
ment that would have come to any
normal man at such treatment; but
then he remembered that he had left
his manhood behind him at Tan-tar
town.
I'm Jim Bennett" he answered
doggedly. What do you want viii
met"
The other breathed hard. "wher,
do you come from he demanded. &c
must have proofs of what you say
Who is the woman to whom you ar,
engagedf"
You mean Miss Dale, l suppose,
drawled Jim, and the other let hi
hands drop from his shoulders ant
stared at him hopelessly.
Are you crazy or sunstruckT' h,
inquired presently.
Usually BOTH" answered Jim truth
fully. To-day, as 1t happens, haven
found anyone willing to give me tn
price. How about your
The young man clapped him on tn
shoulder.
Listen to me-" he said quietly
"You must have been a man once
from all I've heard of you. recog
nice you now from your photograph
although that beard makes you lool
quite different. Miss Dale's father 1
dead. He has left her his whole for
tune. She wanted me to come AM
md you and bring you back to her
She loves you. and pride doesn't count
She knows what you must have beef
through, and she's going to ask you t,
marry her, once she gets you at he
side. Understandf"
Jim understood. The thought o
the Dale millions at his command wa
paralyzing 1t galvanized him into life
He looked up, to see the young maj
reading his face.
Here's ten dollarsl" he said sud
denly. "No-waiti" He pulled on
the pocketbook again. Here's a hun
dred. Do you think you can &c
washed and cleaned and have a new
suit and good linen on your back
ready to sail on the ship tomorrow
Jim pocketed the Money mechan