Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-11-18

opinions one way or the other. I'm a
friend Of both Of you, and you ought
not to ask me such a thing"
"Oh, you needn't be afraid You
know as well as / do that something
had to be done-done at once-and
there was no other way out Of it than
by getting her to see Williams. In the
morning 1t would have been too late
She's making a mountain out Of
molehilI, and / shouldn't wonder IL
you've been helping her, with your
'straitlaced ways"
Thanks. / didn't bring that sub
ject up at all-never opened my mouth
about it."
"You must have rubbed her temper
up the wrong way, then. / ought to
have seen her myself / might have
known you'd bungle the whole bust
ness"
"Joe. 1 did the very best for you I
could, the best / knew how. / can
imagine how you feel about it. and
I'm sorry for you, real sorry for
you"
Brooks made a savage dive for the
matchbox and rellt his cigar that had
gone out
Look here, Jimsy.1 he said. Il
don't want your pity nor anybody
else's. ! ought to have seen her my
self, and then everything would have
been 0. X. l could have fixed it up
with her in two minutes / will see
her at once Give me the address"
1T would be useless and would only
make matters worse. I can't"
"You mean you won't?"
"Well, / won't. If you wish me to put
it that way"
you have no right to stand between
man and his wife"
mo, Joe, and God is my witness that
would not Willingly do such a thing
for all earth has to offer"
Brooks rose excitedly, an ugly scowl
on his face.
There is some other motive for
this" he said. "and III tell you what
It is. You don't want us to come to-
gether again 1t amt to your interest.
You're standing In with that mother
Of hers"
you know that is not true" re.
turned Smith earnestly. Il have done
all could for you
Yes, you havew sneered Brooks.
why don't you want us to make up?
Do you think l don't known Do you
think l haven't seen that you've been
Jealous Of me ever since Emma turned
you down? Do you
"Joer'
Smith also rose and faced him, very
white, all the kindness gone from
his vlsage.
do you think don't know why
you've been shopping around her
skirts, Installing yourself as one OF
the family in my home? Pm not blind
when 1t doesn't suit me to be, and
I've had enough Of being fooled and
walked all over by everybody who
wanted to wipe their feet on me-"
Joe, my boy, you don't know what
you're saying, and you1l be sorry
when you cool down."
"Sorry nothingv' Brooks shouted be-
side himself with fury. "You make
me sick with your slow talk and oily
waysl What do you think i ann
You'll give me that address this min
ute or by heck I'll hack It out Of your
carcassr'
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.
Jimsy's big hands descended on both
his assallant's wrists. Brooks was
strong. but he strained in vain In the
grasp OF iron. His right arm slowly
weakened and twisted gradually until
the fingers opened and with a groan OF
pain he dropped the blade. Smith con-
tinued to twist until he had wrung all
the fight out of him and he 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 a chair. tears Of humiliation and
baffied rage lowering TREMENDOUSLY in
his eyes.
1T was your fault--you drove me to
It," he declared.
ITS a mighty bad thing as a gen.
eral rule. to let your Ill humor get
away with your nerves." chided Smith
''You have acted tonight like a petu-
liant kid, instead Of like man I've
tried to help. You've put yourself out
Of court, and I'm through trying to do
anything for you"
And I'm through asking you to do
anything for me-" Brooks retorted,
jumping up and clapplng his hat on
his head. II don't want any more
favors OF the kind you've been hand
ing out so smugly. / know what I've
said tonight, and it doesn't carry any
apology with It either You can all
go plumb to Podunk, every one Of you
you. my loving wife and the old wo-
-