Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-11-11
coprisht. 1908. by c. ". Dirinsh.~ Co.

living salary. A fellow isn't ground
down there, and there's a chance to
get on. They treat you like a gentle
man, not like a lascar cabin boy.
ought to have quit the Latin-American
line long ago l suppose old Williams
is still slave driving"
Williams is still president Of the
company"
"Well he'll get what's coming TO him
from somebody one Of these days"
Smith made no comment.
Say. Jimsy, you don't give one the
impression that the world disagrees
with you. You look immense"
There's never much the matter
with me, Brooks
Brooksp Why BrooksY What's
the matter with JoeT You needn't
be so darned ceremonious. You
haven't got grudge against me be-
cause l stages away so long have
youY'
mo grudge whatever"
"Oh, well, let it go. How's the old
woman?"
"You mean Mrs. Harrls?
who else would I mean except my
sanity mother-in-lawT
"She was well at last reports"
There was another pause In the con-
versation. and Brooks stared hard at
the ceiling
Il guess you're a fixture here. You
wouldn't be happy in any other lodg-
ings," he went on, looking at Jimsy.
who was eying him with his usual
calm expression that was neither cold
nor kind, yet partook. If anything, OF
kindness. you ought to see the
cute little quarters | have. They're
in bachelor apartment house.
want you to come around one Of these
evenings. You'll come, won't your"
Maybe, one Of these odd evenings.
We've got to provide accommodations
for more boats, and I'm busy man,
so you mustn't bank on me for
awhile"
~All right If that amt a refusal
any evening you can dispose Of will
suit me. Just let me know you're
coming; that's all"
For the hundredth time his eyes
wandered to portraits of himself and
his wife In a silver stand on the table
They had presented photographs and
stand to Smith soon after their mar
riage
you've still got that see" he said,
indicating 1t with nod Of the head.
"Of course"
How is she. by the bye2"
At last he had brought the CONVEX
Eation round to where he wanted it.
Emma? Oh she was all right when
last heard about her"
''Heard about herr She's living with
her mother, isn't sheT'
Certainly. / haven't seen them for
some time. All the famlly's out of
town"
Brooks could not conceal his dIsap-
pointment
where are they stayingl Is It far
from the cityT
quite some distance"
''Well. where is It'll At the seasidef
In the country he demanded. exas-
perated. "Why don't you come out
With straight answer instead Of
lodging? What do you think l am3
What do you think l came here for p
You said you came to see how 1
was getting along"
Brooks could have kicked himself
for having been betrayed into losing
bis temper II was a bad break for
man having a favor to ask.
"Of course ] came for that, Jimsy,"
he said, the anger gone from his voice.
But it's only natural should ask for
news of my family You don't seem to
think ! have any rights or feelings. /
am sim Emma's husband, and 1t Amt
because we've had tlff that we're to
be at cat and dog for the rest of our
lives ! suppose"
II haven't forgotten that you're EN-
mas husband, Joe. but the matter OF
your rights is open TO a difference OF
construction, and I'm entitled to my
own opinion. ! do consider It perfect
ly natural, however. that you should
be curious about your family. and I've
answered every question you've put to
me except the last I'm under prom
Use not to disclose their whereabouts
to anybody That's why"
Yes. you've answered my questions,
but you've confined yourself to Yes
and No as If you were witness I'M
der cross examination"
He passed his hand over his eyes and
sighed.
at amt like you, Jimsy.v he con-
tinued. 1T amt like you bit /
thought you at least wouldn't turn
against me- He's a good man who
never does anything wrong"
That's right 1 guess there are
more men who do wrong and aren't
found out than there are men who dc
wrong and are discovered. and AIM
IN the business Of heavlng rocks at any
man-c certainly not at you"
I'm glad to hear you say that rv,
been living on the level ever since
You can believe me, Jlmsy-ask tn,
bank II my accounts amt in order
and I'm uofuC 70 taor, afrolUhf TOO