The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-06-10

THE EXTENSION PHONE


The man on the couch pushed ava
. his pillow and sat up. Then he tool
his watch from the small table tina
held his pitcher OF lemonade and tn
extension phone and looked at th'
tine.
Ten O'Clock" he nuttered.
he pushed his hand across his fore
dead and crowded the gray locks back
~All right now" he said.
He was a man past middle age. a
man with stOop In his shoulders and
lines OF care about HIS gray eyes and
his firm mouth. man whose life had
been a struggle and who IN victory
wore the scars OF conflict.
Getting old" he told himself
-Here's 10 o'clock. and I'm still david
ling az home. II Jennie keeps on max
ing me believe I'm wearing out III ind
myself on the retired list. whether
want to go there or not And that
would simply be the equivalent OF a
death sentence. But Pm good for a
dozen years yet. The fact that
couldn't eat my breakfast isn't any
prosf that I'm on the road to chronic
invalidism- And yet that's what Jennie
would have me believe. It's indiges-
ton. that's all Il Is. And that brought
on the headache. too. But I'm all right
now"
He walked 70 the dresser. made a
few passes at his thinning hair with
the brush. and put on his old-fashloned
collar and black tie.
Then he paused and surveyed him
self with a thoughtful air. and engaged
In real deep thought.
You'll have to brace up ard sharp
en- your Wits he said to the reelection.
You're up against stln fight. old
boy. The Carson company IS hot on
your trail. They are leaving no stone
lnturned to get your trade away from
Fou- But you'll beat them out, old boy.
Toun beat them out" He drew his
fps tightly together and nodded AZ him
elf with a grim smile. .sWhat was II
Jarvis said about the young manager
ney are negotiating with? Called hin
ray from San Francisco TO look their
ianr over. Been here a week and 20 :
~ to give them an answer to-morro,v. -
ie chuekled- How I'd enjoy buying
le fellow away from them. I must b
ee what Jarvis can do. II he's the 5
'aekerJaek they say he IS. he's iust q
ie man need III call up Jarvis now e
"a tell him to meet me at noon" He h
lrned away from the dresser. Let b
e see-what day Is thisY, A sudden b
iadow crossed his face as his eyes "
ught the framed calendar on the p
al. i know what day II is,r he muir al
ured- It's Miles Birthday.
BIKE up In the night thinking about n
wonder II her mother rememberss
nat fool question: That's the rea. CT
her eyes were 50 red this uorning 80
|. well, I did right. did what apy TO
prospecting father would do. When 30
NE turned against me and fatty dis 20
'yed me- after all I had done for re
? there was but one way left FOR me da
ct her have her choice. Either n pr
e up the man. or give I'D her peopIe thu
her home She knew had ambl-
rs views for her. that I wanted her
marry wen, to marry a man OF prop COZ
ana standfng-and she deliberate ing
'nrew away her chances 10 wed tbS> 2
inown boy with scarce a dollar IN ne,
world Six years ago." He paused IN
instant Il wonder-bah, I'm get hat
sentimental Mile Haunted her tioi
Incidence in her fathers face. she /
lie her choice-Iet her abide bv IN g
turned abruptly. "Now TO call mn the
VS." He paused. Il hear Jennie he
ring In the hall below. ia better Ant
away quietly without her knowing you
She makes such a fuss when she Rol
ks I'm not feeling right Hark, whs
coming upstairs. I'll pretend to A
sleep" ceIv
stretched himself on the couch nam
putting bis head OF the pillow "C
d his eyes. soon
moment later woman appeared me
le door, a woman whose abundant Nov
hair crowned pale and gentle mott
The woman paused in the door we Z
with her gaze turned toward the er "a
D. Then she noiselessly approach. ert
I'd looked down at the man. She near
touched HIS gray hair, and gen reiin
atted the pillow. Then she moved won
e nearest window and drew down a
hade. With another glance at the *
on the couch she went out NJ A
y as she had entered, and closed 20
Dor behind her. A,
man on the couch opened his "W
and sat up A,
iat was shame,v he muftered. "sl
Jennie. This Is n hard day Tor every
IN wait until she Is settled IN Al
ewing room and then III steal Il
But FIRST ! must cali Jaryis.0 for y,
reached for the receiver in the A
.ion set on the table aud put Il ~Ye
f'F And q