The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-17
CHAPTER vi.


''WeI?" exclaimed Emma, interrog-
atively, at last.
"Well," he replied, "between you
and me, Joe came as near getting
skinned alive as any one ever saw"
"It was terriblep'
at was terribly true. You saved
him"
81 know"
"The captain must like you. I never
did think he could like anybody"
81 hate HIM" she declared, with a
grimace Of disgust. ugh, what a
beast!'
Smith reflected.
maybe. and maybe not" he unused.
II can't just make him out"
AT this juncture the front door
opened and Brooks entered.
81 saw them drive off," he said, drop
ping into a chair. 81 hope they will
stay away in future. That mother
and sister Of yours make me tired!
can't stand for them, and, what's more,
won't! They'd drive saint to drink,
and I'm no saint and don't purpose to
be, either"
His wife began to reproach him for
his attack upon Captain Williams and
for his general Ill humor during the
evening, but he cut her short sharply:
1--WE won't talk about that! Not
word, you understand? Not from you
or any one else. That's finalv'
every well; it's dropped" she said
and, angry at last in turn, rose and
went to her room.
Indifferently he watched her go, then
turned to Smith.
"Got anything to smoke, Jimsy?' he
demanded.
"No," he replied, fumbling in his
pockets, "as usual, I'm just out, but
I'll run around to the corner store and
get some cigars"
Left alone, Brooks began to give way
to the uneasiness and apprehension
that had followed upon his scene with
Captain Williams.
81 wonder If Williams will fire me-"
he muttered. "If he doesn't it's on ac-
count Of Emma. He acted as If he'd
go long ways for Emma"
He was anxious to know what had
happened after his brusque departure.
He went into the bedroom and found
his wife in tears.
'Don't cry, Emma" he said soothing
iy, going to her and taking her in his
arms. 81 didn't mean to hurt your
feelings. 1 know I've got fierce
crouch on tonight, but can't help it.
So would you have one If you'd had to
put up with what have today"
Mrs. Brooks was one Of those sweet
natured women who could not sulk for
more than FIVE minutes If they tried.
1t needed but his caress and apparent
contrition to dispel her resentment.
"You certainly have had cause to
worry, DEAR" she assented.
AFTER what's happened tonight I'll
have to hunt another job" he said
"But I don't care. I'm glad told the
beast what thought of him. Some
day somebody II tell him what they
think Of him and plug him, too, as
sure as he's born"
you'll not have to hunt for another
job yet awhile" she told him. 1.-The
captain said he would overlook it and
that 1t wouldn't make any difference"
Her husband looked at her in aston
ishment, half incredulous.
HE said that?"
"Yes, and I'm glad it's turned out as
1t has, for how we'd manage If you
were out of work just now goodness
knows. 1 don't!'
"Just how did he put itT"
HE said he was almighty sorry for
Nuhot hod hot hn Ia
had been hard at times and that as
far as your place and we were con-
cerned there would be no change"
Brooks relief showed In his face.
'Well, that knocks me-" he comment
ed. Nobody else ever bucked up
against him and got OF scot free. l
can't understand It. Did your mother
put in a word for me?"
"No"
"Then it's you who must have pull.
He died right down when you spoke
to him. l never would have believed
such thing. II you had been a man
standing there In front OF him he'd
have smashed you. Darn 1t, 1 won
der who's ringing now2 Can't be
Jimsy; he hasn't had time to get to the
street at the gait he goes"
He went to the head OF the stairs
and met a messenger boy who was
bearing a letter and had received in
structions to wait for an answer.
"Surev he exclaimed Joyfully as he
perused the missive. "Tickled to
DEATH Go and get your things on,
Emma. It's from Beatrice Langley
and Willie Ferguson. Willie's giving
a sort OF theater party, and they want
us to go with them. There's going to
be little supper afterward."
She shook her head.
"Tell them we can't 60"
Cant gol Why notr'
IL simply can't"
II don't see why"
"well. then, won't; 80 there! You'd
hathar mako aoma exnaaAS