The Bottineau courant., 1909-10-22

= 3. \ r, s IL. B. ..a.n ,
against me. He's good man who,
never does anything wrong"
That's right guess there are,
more men who do wrong and aren't
found out than there are men who do
wrong and are discovered, and amt
in the business Of heaving rocks at any
man-certainly not at you" y
"I'm glad to hear you say that. I've
been living on the level ever since
You can believe me, Jimsy-ask the
bank If my accounts amt In order
and I'm going to keep straight too.
What more can I do, except say I'm
sorry? What more does anybody
want me to doY'
"Nothing, I should Think
"You believe me, Jimsy?"
"Joe, l believe you're speaking the
truth, and l hope with all my heart
and soul you'll keep right on the way
you're going. And, now you know how
l feel about it, come right out and tell
me what brought you here"
II will, then. 1 want to know about
Emma. It's year now since She
since we separated, and won't stand
1t any longer. l want her to come
back to me. simply can't do with
out her."
He looked at Smith expectantly, but
the phlegmatic Jimsy made no remark.
"You see them often. Do they ever
speak about me?"
'They have never mentioned you in
my presence since the night Emma left
you."
II never believed Emma would sulk
80 long. I'll bet she's as sick and tired
of this business as I am. If she amt
had enough Of the old woman and that
stuckup little chit Of Beth by this
time I'm no good as guesser. / know
Emma. They must have baited her to
DEATH"
maybe, but If they have she hasn't
told me about it, and she doesn't carry
it writ on her countenance SOS you'd
notice it."
"Jimsy, 1 must see her. Tell me
where she is.''
"You can't find out from me. I'd
tell you willingly enough, but she
served an injunction on me ages be-
fore you came here, and I'm not 60
ing to put myself in contempt OF
court
Brooks jumped up and nervously
knocked the ash from his cigar on to
tray.
you've known Emma and me for
over six years, Jimsy," he said. "And
you know all about us and how happy
we were together-how tried to make
her happy, risked everything for her.
You we're always a good friend to
both of us. That's why Pm here
that's why I'm going to ask you to do
me favor. Will your"
"Joe, I'll do anything within the
bounds of reason"
II knew you wouldn't refuse. l want
you to see Emma alone-not with her
mother and Beth around; they'd queer
everything. I want you to ask her to
let bygones be bygones and come back
to me. Well begin all over again, and
this time We'll begin right. Tell her
Pm we'll fixed. I'm ahead Of the game.
I've got money by-earned and saved
it-and a good place. There'll be no
mere hard pulling like there was in
the old time. Tell her Pm more sorry
than l can express for our little mis-
understanding - sorry and miserable.
Tell her love her more than ever
and that if she will see me she will
understand"
Smith nodded assent.
"And, Jimsy, put in good word for
me-plead for me-do it as if it was
for yourself Emma will listen to you
when she won't to any one else. You
know she thinks a whole lot of you.
Will you do this for me?"
Eyes, I'll do it, Joe."
"Soon"
Lets see; this is Tuesday. I'll see
her Sunday-go on purpose"
Brooks went to him and seized his
hand with both his own.
"Jimsy, you are the best everv' he
exclaimed fervently. II knew could
count on you. I'll never forget this
turn you're doing me-never! And
Emma will appreciate it too. Good
night and God bless you"
He wrung Smiths hand again.
At the door he turned with this rec
ommendation:
"Don't forget, Jimsy. Plead with her
as If it was for yourself"
Smith sat staring straight before
him for an hour.