Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-09-25

1 NtAithdus On the same side or the Ia
bic. On entering he had been very
nervous. His customary aplomb re-
vived as he found that smith was ap-
| parently the same old Jimsy.
Lob. fine" he replied. Thought Ia
just drop IN on you and see how things
/ were"
Thanks. Have cigar"
Smith pushed the box toward him.
and he helped himself TO one and lit Il.
Il feel Ike ] owe an apology for
keeping out Of the way so long.
suppose you wondered what had be
come Of me-"
81 have often wondered
We'll. YOU see. was sort OF cut up
after the way Emma left me. II was
enough 20 make me feel sore. There
was no excuse for It. Then I've been
awfully busy. I got Job IN q bank
as assistant receiving teller nc real
living salary. A fellow isn't ground
down there. and there's cbslce 70
get on. They treat you like \ gentle
man. not like n lascar cabin boy.
ought 70 have quit the Latin-American
line long ago. I suppose old Williams
IS still slave driving"
Williams Is still president OF the
company"
well. he'll get what's coming 70 hin,
from somebody one OF these DAYS"
Smith made no comment.
Say. Jimsy, you don't give one the
Impression that the world dlsagrees
with you. You look immense"
There's never much the matter
with me, Brooks"
" Brooksr Why BrooksT What's
the matter with 'Joer You needn't
be SO darned ceremonious You
haven't got a grudgc against me be
cause / stayed away so long. have
youY'
mo grudge whatever"
"Oh. well, let IL go. How's the old
womanf"
"You mean Mrs. HarrisT"
who else would mean except nv
sanity mother-inlawT'
"She was well at last reports"
There was another pause IN the con-
versation. and Brooks stared hard at
the ceiling.
81 guess you're n fixture here. You
wouldn't he happy In any other lodg-
ings." he went on. looking at Jimsy.
who was eying him with his usual
calm expression taat was neither cold
nor kind. yet partook. II anything o.
kindness. You ought 20 see the
cute little quarters I have. They're
in bachelor apartment house
want you 10 come around one OF these
evenings. Youn come. won't your
Maybe. one OF these odd evenings.
We've got TO provide accommodations
for more boats. and I'm a busy man,
so you mustn't bank on me for
awhile"
"An right. II that amt a refusal
any evening you can dispose OF viii
suit me- just let me know you're
coming; that's all"
For the hundredth time his eyes
wandered 10 portraits OF himself and
his wife IN n silver stand on the table.
They had presented photographs and
stand TO Smith soon after their mar
! riage.
you've stiil got that, see" he said,
| indicating It with nod OF the head.
"Of course"
How is she. by the byeT
AT last ne had brought the CONVEX
| sation round to where he wanted t.
Emma? oh, she was all right when
I last heard about her"
Heard about her? She's living with
her mother. isn't sher'
Certainly. l haven't seen them for
some time All the family's out OF
town"
Brooks could not conceal his disap-
pointment
where are they staying? Is 1t far
from the city?"
"Quite some distance"
''Well. where is it? At the seasideI
In the country" he demanded. exas-
perated. why don't you come out
i with a straight answer instead OF
/ lodging? What do you think l ann
| What do you think 1 came here forr'
You said you came to see how 1
was gesing along"
/ Brooks could have kicked himself
for having been betrayed into losing
his temper. II was a bad break for a
man having a favor TO ask.
4 "Of course i came for that, Jimsy,"
he said. the anger gone from his voice
But it's only natural l should ask for
ne1ss OF my family. You don't seem TO
I think l have any rights or feelings.
am stiil Emma's husband. and II amt
because We've had a tiff that we're to
be at cat and dog Tor the rest OF our
lives, 1 SUPPOSE"
Il haven't forgotten that you're En-
mas husband, Joe. but the matter or
your rights is open TO a difference OF
construction. and I'm entitled TO my
own opinion. / do consider 1t perfect
iy 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
lse not 20 disclose their whereabouts