Then you may sit beside Beth and me and smoke it." The girl did not wholly approve of smoking and had often chided Uncle John and her father and Arthur Weldon for indulging in the habit; but this advice to young Jones was given in desperation, because all the men of her family stoutly affirmed that a cigar after a meal assisted digestion.

She resumed her former seat beside Beth, and her cousin quickly read the anxiety on her face.
"What did you do, Patricia ?" "I fed him." "Did he really eat ?" "Like a starved cat." "Hm-m-m," said Beth.

"What next, I wonder ?" Patsy wondered, too, the cold shivers chasing one another up and down her back.

The boy was coming toward them, coolly puffing a cigar.

He did not seem to totter quite so much as before, but he was glad to sink into an easy chair.
"How do you feel ?" asked Beth, regarding him curiously.
"Like one of those criminals who are pampered with all the good things of life before being led to the scaffold." "Any pains ?" He shook his head.
"Not yet.