The Bottineau courant., 1909-10-29
Ing allowed his feelings to get the bet
ter Of his discretion in this way, for
he lapsed into gloomy silence and very
soon departed abruptly.
CHAPTER XIV.

| CHAPTER XIV.
IN RR. BROOKS would like to
| 1 see you, sir. told him
you were in, but he would
| not come up and asked me
to let you know he was downstairs"
"Tell him it's all right. I'll see him."
"You mean that he's to come up?"
Eyes. If he doesn't mind" ...-
The landlady went out, gathering
from the visitors unusual request and
her boarder's reply that there had been
trouble between them. Jimsy pushed
away the book he had been reading
and leaned back in his chair to await
his former friends coming.
| Brooks shuffled rather than walked
in. He did not offer to shake hands,
bur- with subdued Hello, Jimsy,"
seated himself on the edge of the arm
chair that in former days he occupied
| as his own. Then he seemed to forget
where he was, sank back, shrinking
into his overcoat, and sat as though
stupefed, twisting his hat in his hands
slowly and mechanically.
Smith was shocked at the change in
his appearance. His face was white
and thin, and the eyes, which were al
most expressionless, were deep sunk In
the sockets. There was stubble on his
chin; his formerly neatly plastered
hair was disheveled
"Boy, you're ILL.," said Jimsy with
concern. "Let me get a bracer for
you.''
He rose and produced a decanter of
whisky, but his visitor declined, this
time with wan Pickering smile of ap-
probation.
| "No, thanks, Jimsy. don't feel like
it just now. I've been drinking too
much Of the stuff, and haven't eaten
since last night I Think
"For heavens sake!' exclaimed
Jimsy.
Brooks would have restrained him,
but he was out of the door and bound
ing downstairs three steps at a time
Brooks sank back into the chair and
relapsed into his condition of hebetude.
In a little while Smith returned,
plate heaped high with sandwiches in
one hand and bowl of hot bouillon in
| the other. Brooks refused the sand
wiches, but he took the bowl, and,
| holding it in both hands-which trem-
bled-sipped it's grateful contents.
"Jimsy, you're awfully good" he
! sighed
| "Oh, no-none of that" protested
Smith. s'Tell me what brought you
| here. What can I do for you?"
II don't know why came, after
after the way acted last time r.
| "Never mind that. Let's forget about
it."
"No. I have no right here. Jimsy,
Pm done for
| "How done for?"
II am, and you'll kick me out, as
deserve, when you know. Jimsy, I've
| done it again. Pm a thief second
time, and again for woman"
| Smith looked grave, but he said
| nothing.
"What! You don't get up and kick
me? Well, well! 1 suppose it's just
like you, but rather hoped you would
You're the only man who wouldn't
But wait till you hear. can tell it to
| you because you can't help me. No.
| body can. I'm beyond helping"
Better try sandwich first," sug-
gested Smith. "There's no hurry"
Thanks; think will. That beef
tea did me good"
He ate three sandwiches ravenously,
washing them down with water.
'There isn't whole lot to relate" he
said. "You can fill in the details for
yourself. tried backing the ponies
again; then stole from the bank.
There was an examination of the books
| at the bank four days ago. I didn't
turn up there that day, and haven't
been there since; but, of course, the
game is up. wandered about, drink
Ing to try to forget my troubles till all
! my money was gone. Then I sobered
up, and here I am. This time there's
no one to save me. The bank couldn't
be fixed, even If I had the funds to
make my stealings good. They'd get
me wherever I hid myself, that's sure.
They must be looking for me now.
And, o God, can't face 1tv'
Tears rained down his face-tears
that he made no effort to hide or wipe
away.
II knew I was going headlong down
to hell-knew what was doing-saw
the certain punishment-yet couldn't
stop myself. And now have reached
the mouth of the pit"
He shuddered and writhed in agony
of torment, turning his pitiful, stream
ing eyes upon Smith.
"Oh, Jimsy, if you would only kill
me and end it ALL" he moaned. "Oh,
If only had the courage to kill my
selfv'
Smith, greatly agitated, looked at the
miserable man in perplexity.
81 wish I could help you, Joe," he
said. "But this time don't see how
you can be helped"
ut isn't possible. There's nothing