The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-05-07

THE EXTENSION PHONE


Tho man on the couch pushed away
his pillow and sat up. Inen ne toon
his watch from the small table tha'
held his pitcher of lemonade n the
extension phone and looked at Tue
time.
ssTen o'clock" he ElutteFed.
He pushed his hand across his 1ore-
dead and crowded the gray locks back
"All right now" he said.
He was a man past middle age a
man with a stoop in his shoulders and
lines Of care about his gray eyes anu
his firm mouth, a man whose life mao
been a struggle and Who IN VlctorS
wore the scars Of conflict.
"Getting DID," he told himself
"Here's 10 o'clock, and I'm still rdawd-
ling at home. If Jennie keeps on max
inc me believe I'm wearing out I'll ind
myself on the retired list, whether
want to 90 there or not. And that
would simply be the equivalent OF q
death sentence. But I'm good for a
| dozen years yet. The fact that
couldn't eat my breakfast isn't any
proof that I'm on the road to chronic
invalidism. And yet that's what Jennie
would have me believe. It's indiges-
ton, that's all it is. And that brought
on the headache, too. But I'm all right
now"
He walked to the dresser, made a
few passes at his thinning hair with
the brush, and put on his old-fashioned
collar and black tie.
Then he paused and surveyed him
self with a thoughtful air, and engaged
in real deep thought.
you'll have to brace up and sharp
en- your WITS" he said to the reflection.
you're up against a stiff fight, old
boy. The Carson company is hot on
your trail. They are leaving no stone
unturned to get your trade away from
you. But you'll beat them out, old boy,
you'll beat them out" He drew his
lips tightly together and nodded at him
self with a grim smile. what was it
Jarvis said about the young manager
they are negotiating with? Called him
way from San Francisco to look their
plant over. Been here a week and go
Ing to give them an answer tomorrow"
He chuckled. "How I'd enjoy buying
the fellow away from them. l must
see what Jarvis can do. If he's the
crackerjack they say he is, he's lust
the man need. I'll call up Jarvis now
and tell him to meet mi at noon" He
turned away from the dresser. "Let
me see-what day is this? 2" A sudden
shadow crossed his face as his q
sought the framed calendar on the
wall. II know what day it u.s." he muir
INJURED. Its Miles birthday. I
woke up in the night thinking about II
l wonder If her mother remembers ?
What a fool question! That's the rea-
son her eyes were so red this morning.
On, well. l did right. I did what any
selr-respecting father would do. When
Mile turned against me and fiatly dis.
oDeyed me, after all 1 had done for
her, there was but one a left for mo
let her have her choice. Either r.
give up the man, or give up her people
ana her home. She knew 1 had ambi.
t1ous views for her, that I wanted hor
to marry well, to marry a man Of pron.
erty and standing-and she deliberate.
~ threw away her chances to wed ths.
unknown boy with scarce a dollar in
the world. Six years ago." He paused
an instant. 81 wonder-bah. I'm oo+.
ting sentimental. Mile Haunted ber
disobedience in her fathers face. she
made her choice-let her abide by it. "
BE turned abruptly. "Now to call mn
Jarvis" He paused. II hear Jennie
stirring in the hall below. I'd better
get away quietly without her knowing
1t. She makes such a fuss when she
thinks I'm not feeling right. Hark
she's coming upstairs. I'll pretend ia
be asleep"
He stretched himself on the conch
and putting his head on the pillov
closed his eyes.
A moment later a woman peare
in the door, a woman whose abundant
white hair crowned a pale and gentle
face. The woman paused in the door
way with her gaze turned toward the
couch. Then she noiselessly approach.
ed and looked down at the man. She
softly touched his gray hair, and gen.
tly patted the pillow. Then she moved
to the nearest window and drew down
the shade. With another glance at the
figure on the couch she went ont as
quietly as she had entered, and closed
the door behind her.
The man on the couch opened his
eyes and sat up.
That was a shame" he muttered
"Poor Jennie. This is a hard day 70,
her. I'll wait until she is settled IN
her sewing oom and then I'll steaj
away. But first l must call Jaryis.n
He reached for the receiver In thu
extension set on the table and put ii
! To hin ear