Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-10-02

side himself with fury. "You mako
me sick with your slow talk and oiIv
ways, What do you think 1 am?
You'll give me that address this min
ute or by heck III hack 1t out Of your
carcass
Brooks picked up a jackknife which
at the time Of his arrival Smith had
been using TO cut the leaves Of a
book and rushed at him.
Jlmsy's big hands descended on both
his assailants wrists. Brooks was
strong, but he strained In vain I'm the
grasp OF Iron. His right arm slowly
! weakened and twisted gradually until
the fingers opened and with groan Of
pain he dronped The blade. Smith con
tinued To- twist until he had wrung All
the fight orr of him and Ire had him
limp and helpless. Then he let him
GO and picked up the knife
You'd better leave weapons out OF
your arguments. Brooks. or you'll sure
be hurting somebody one Of these
days he recommended. ITS danger
ouS-dangerous TO yourself as well"
Brooks. sullen and painting. dropped
into chair. tears ofthumiliation aud
badled rage lowering TREMENDOUSLY in
his eyes.
1T was your fault-you drove me TO
IT," he declared.
IT'S n mighty bad thing. as a gen
eral rule. to let your in humor get
away with your nerves" chided Smith
You have acted tonight like petu-
liant Kid. instead OF like a man I've
tried 20 help. You've put yourself out
OF court. and I'm through trying to Go
anything FOR YOU"
And I'm through asking you TO do
anything for me-" Brooks retorted-
jumping up ana clapping his hat on
his head. Il don't want any more
favors OF the kind you've been hand
ing out so smugly. I know what I've
said tonight, and il doesn't carry any
apology with it either You can all
go plumb 20 Podunk. every one OF you
You. my lovir- wife and the old wo-
man. I'm through with the whole
crowd for good and all"
He rushed out bounded down the
stairs. and the front door slammed
violently.
Smith lighted cigar, solace and
sedative OF the wrought up man. and
ruminated sadly for awhile He
thought OF Emma. Of the worthless
husband 20 whom she was tied ana
OF the false position all round in which
he found himself as the result OF his
peacemakinC effort
All, God. how ne loved her.
With q weary SIGH he fetched out
plans and figures and began 20 work
IL was hard Co concentrate his mind.
but application at length subdued the
turmoil OF his thoughts. and work. that
"pledre 90 "hecrful days and nights
without rroan." his unfaning u2--
cote for the perturbation Of his spirit.
absorbed him until tired nature com
ing 60 its support did the rest.
While Jimsy Smith worked that ne
might forget. Brooks. the heat Of his
anger cooled, SAT down in his lonely
room to consider the unexpected
change - the situation. The failure
OF his plans was blow 90 him. but
this time the pricking ~ the bubble OF
his optimism. which had scared so
high. instead OF plunging him immedl-
ately into the gloomiest dependency.
found its contrast IN bitter resentment
against both his wife and Smith.
He cursed Smith for a fool and a
blunderer. At least he did not believe
the accusations he had hurled at him
In his rage and disappointment He
had never considered him I'm any other
Hight than that OF n good naturcd. old
womanish friend OF the family. who
did anything for anybody and with
whom anybody could take liberties.
He could sec nothing i'm him calculated
20 inspire any woman with more than
ordinary liking and indulgent tolera-
ton. not 10 speak Of Emma. and he
never had had the slightest scruple in
leaving them together.
Her reception or his overtures had
practically dispelled the glamour or