The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-24

A1t tuIutu Wdu lutt tOWuTu uGE,
and there was a look as of entreaty
and apology in his eyes, under which
the dark circles appeared to have deep
ened, as he replied:
I'm tired and nervous. think III
walk down the street"
''Oh, but you've got to take us to the
theater," Beth told him. Mother
hasn't seen the play at the Renais.
sance, and you can't get sents-not n
promised to take her."
"Where do come imp
Mrs. Harris answered for her:
"You just take us; call for us after
the show and put us on a car"
"We simply can't miss this chance,
can we, mamma?' said Beth. "You
will take us and come for us, won't
you, Joe?"
"Oh, suppose So" ne acquiesced,
little wearily.
At that moment the telephone bell
rang, and Emma answered 1t.
"Yes, right up," she instructed the
operator and, hanging up the receiver,
turned with an eager smile.
give got surprise for you," she
said. "Guess who's calling2 Some
one who wasn't expected for a month"
"Jimsy," cried Beth.
"Jimsy Smith, straight back from
Guatemala"
Joe's eyes widened, and the little
color in 1t faded from his face. He
was very much startled by this unex-
pected visit, but kept sufficient control
over himself not to make the fact too
apparent.
us Captain Williams with him?" in
quired Mrs. Harris.
II wonder what brings him back? He
wasn't expected for a month or six
weeks"
II suppose the captains with him.
surmised Beth.
Her mother expressed the hope that
he was.
$50 do l." said Emma. "I want to
thank him for Joe's raise"
you'll do nothing Of the kindv' ex-
ploded Brooks furiously. II want you
all to understand here and now that
my business is my business. I don't
want it discussed with either Smith
or Williams. What I've got I've got,
and 1t is nobody's affair but mine.
Now, If any Of you have got anything
to say about me or what I do, say ii
to me or shut up"
"Joe, how can your" reproached his
wife, taken completely aback by this
savage and uncalled for display of
anger.
"Well, l declarep' calculated Mrs
Harris, bridling up. 1--WE never been
talked to so in all my life and''-
The doorbell rang, and she subsided
sinking back in her chair and tanning
her red face vigorously.
Mrs. Brooks opened the door, and
Jimsy stood revealed with his win
some smile, his face tanned brown by
the sun Of the tropics.
''Weicome home. little stranger" ex
claimed Emma heartily.
Hello, Emma! How are your" ht
said, taking her outstretched hand
Ladies, / salute you. The prodiga
has returned from the distant land o.
chilli con carni and fat ladies wearing
mantillas to receive his overdose o
American grub"
Look at him! He's as brown as al
Indianv laughed Beth, giving him ,
cordial kandshake.
"Where's Captain Williams?" asket
Mrs. Harris.
"All in due time, when I spin m.
yarn" drawled Jimsy.
He went over to Brooks and shool
hands with him.
"Glad to see you, joe" he said.
'"Thank you, Jimsy. Same to you
You look immense"
"Im better than that. Now, If 20,
folks will sit down I'll tell you tn
story Of my wonderful adventures
lying only when necessary to protec
| my unsullied reputation. How is that
Beth, unsullied reputationT Prett
good, eh?"
"But Captain Williams and the ste
ry" urged Emma.
"What l want to know" observes
her mother. "is. Did the captain com
with your
. $50 do l." said Brooks. with hardl
concealed anxiety.
} "Well, you know 1t took me tw
months to do all this, and you can
expect me to tell this story as If
} was journey in the subway"
"Jimsy, you're exasperating," RI
monstrated Emma.
: II was saying Say. Emma, 20
3 look all right in that Dress" he brok
off, contemplating her with admiration
: She stamped her foot imperiously.
"Never mind me. Talk"
} "And please say something" adde
D Beth.
: "Stung" he laughed. 'Thank yo'
Beth! Well. you know cap and wei
3 going to make trip at every port {
call the Latin-American company ha
but when we got to Guatemala "
found out that a couple of those dor