Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-10-07

cii' aHN ohC itu ~ WOIh pretty udIu-
Finally be thought her health and
spirits were about busted up on ac-
count Of the work. and he commenced
appropriating other folks money-got
way in. and the harder be tried to get
out the deeper be houndered Finally
the big exposure came off He was a
thief Now. what do you think about
him, Emma? DO you think because he
was long on love and short on honor
he was all bad. ehy"
She hesitated. bordering the ques-
tion as something so utterly beyond
ordinary cogitation that it could not
have presented itself TO her and was
not to be lightly decided
Il don't know what to think" she
unused. I've always loatbed a thief
and a liar. l know there's an awful
lot of dishonesty-in business. Father
always declared that a man to drink
or gamble or dissipate might be weak,
but that a man who stole or lied to
injure people was vicious Somehow
! think that too"
Maybe you're right. but / wondered
If you'd been in his wife's place you'd
sort of forgiven the man and helped
him get right"
Perhaps don't know" she replied
doubtfully But / think if anything
like that ever happened 1t would al
most kill me-"
Her thoughts were diverted from the
subject by the ringing Of the telephone
bell. She answered it,
Captain Williams calling" she said
to Smith, then through the phone:
ASK the gentleman to come up.
please"
Jimsy. anxious and much troubled.
regarded her thoughtfuly
She turned from the telephone and
advanced to him. holding out her hand.
He took it hesitatingly and wonder
ingly.
"Jimsy." she said earnestly. i've
never quite understood you before"
Mop he Intercepted.
But after what you told me to-
night" she went on. i've had a little
peek behind the curtains. You are a
good man, Jimsy-a good man. That
means everything"
For the second time IN his entire
life-the first having been when he
proposed to her-Smith displayed trep-
idation.
Now, Emma. be careful" he re-
proved. There amt no celestial med
ais pinned on my coat signifying an
angelic career, and don't you start
tossing bouquets in my direction"
The doorbell rang as be settled him
self In his chair again.
"Ahl There's the old sea dog" said
Mrs. Brooks, Fastening to let the cap
tain in.
Good evening. Mrs. Brooks. Glad
to see you"
Captain Williams grasped her hand
as his eyes wandered over the COM
Portable room. and he added:
"Hello. SMITH Meet you every time
l come here"
"One of my hangouts." agreed the
superintendent genially.
"Sit down. captain" invited Emma,
motioning him to a chair.
Thanks" he said. where's your
husbandT
Hes just gone out He'll be back
In little while. Jimsy has been tell
ing us about your eventful trip"
"Eventful tripT
He echoed the words with a bewil-
dered air
Smith pushed his chair back so that
Mrs. Brooks could not see him without
turning in his direction and. unob-
served by her, motioned warning sig
nails to his employer. who did not un-
derstand them
Spinning a yarn about that little
revolution down at Guatemala" he
prompted
"Eh2 Guatemala-oh yes-the rev.
bloody affair-very Sc
rious." replied Williams. who had sud
denly realized that he was expected to
confirm story that Smith had found
it expedient to relate to Mrs. Brooks.
"Jimsy said there wasn't shot
fred" she told him.
Smith. seeing that the captain under
stood. drew his chair forward.
Emma. don't you let the captain ill
you full Of yarns. He can lie faster
than / can" he laughed.
mo-" protested Williams: "there
amt nothing can beat you. Smith.
Well, Mrs Brooks. how have you
beenT
Splendid. When did you get in?"
"When did get in? Let me see.
Smith. when did get imp
''You look as If you had just got"
the superintendent.
"Today-yes. But what time? I
should say at 10, maybe IL o'clock"
That's probably why Joe hasn't
seen you" observed Emma. Hes
Just taken mother and Beth as far as
the theater. don't know what keeps
him. He should be back before this"
Il guess he amt run away" opined
the captain. with a suspicion Of grim
ness. 'Ill wait"
''You know, Emma, that's one Of the
hast fhfnUu ho