The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-05-07

THE EXTENSION PHONE


H. and sat up. Then he TOOK
n,S uotcb from the small table ina
hold his pitcher of lemonade ana .ne
extension phone and looked at Inc
time.
Ten o'clock" he nuttered.
M nushed his hand across his Tore
aead and crowded the gray ock Dack'
"All right now" he said.
He was a man past middle age a
man with a stoop in his shoulders ana
lines Of care about his gray eyes ana
his firm mouth, a man whose lie hau
hoen a struggle and who in victory
wore the scars of conflict.
Getting DID," he told himself.
"uere's 10 o'clock, and I'm still david
ling at home. If Jennie keeps on max
ing me believe I'm wearing out I'll n
myself on the retired list, whether l
want to go there or not. n mat
would simply be the equivalent OF a
death sentence. But I'm good for a
dozen years yet. The fact that l
couldn't eat my breakfast isn't any
proof 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 it is. And that brought
on the headache, too. But I'm all right
now"
He walked to the dresser, made a
few passes at his thinning hair with
the brush, and put on his o~ld-fashioned
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 and sharp
en- your WITS" he said to the reflection.
You're up against a stiff fight, old
boy. The Carson company is hot on
your trail. They are leaving no stone
unturned. to get your trade away from
you. But you'll beat them out, old boy,
you'll beat them out" He drew his
lips tightly together and nodded at him
self with a grim smile. what was it
Jarvis said about the young manager
they are negotiating with? Called him
way from San Francisco to look their
plant over. Been here a week and go
ing to give them an answer tomorrow"
He chuckled. "How I'd enjoy buying
the fellow away from them. l must
see what Jarvis can do. If he's the
crackerjack they say he is, he's lust
the man l need. I'll call up Jarvis now
and tell him to meet me at noon" He
turned away from the dresser. LET
me see-what day is this?' A sudden
shadow crossed his face as his ewes
sought the framed calendar on the
wall. II know what day it u.s." he MUIR
INJURED. cts Miles birthday. 7
woke up in the night thinking about It.
| wonder If her mother remembers?
What a fool question! That's the rea-
son her eyes were so red this morning
Oh, well, 1 did right. 1 did what anv
self-respecting father would do. When
Mile turned against me and fatty dis
oDeyed me, after all l had done for
her, there was but one way left for me
| let her have her choice. Either To
give up the man, or give I'D her peonlo
ana her home. She knew 1 had amh,-
t1ous views for her, that 1 wanted hor
to marry well, to marry a man Of nron-
erty and standing-and she ~delihoro+e
~ threw away her chances to we'd he.
unknown boy with scarce a dollar IN
the world. Six years ago." He paused
an instant. Il wonder-bah. Pm pot
ting sentimental. Mile Haunted har
~disoDed1ence in her fathers face. she
made her choice-let her abide bv II "
He turned abruptly. "Now TO cal, nm
Jarvis" He paused. II hear Jennie
stirring In the hall below. I'd better
get away quietly without her knowing
1t. She makes such a fuss when she
thinks I'm not feeling right. Hark
she's coming upstairs. III nretend -
be asleep"
He stretched himself on the coucb
and putting his head on the nillov
closed his eyes.
A moment later a woman appeared
In the door, a woman whose abundant
white hair crowned a pale and gentle
face. Inc woman paused in the door.
way with her gaze turned toward the
couch. Then she noiselessly approach.
ed and looked down at the man. sbe
softly touched his gray hair, and pan.
tly patted the pillow. Then she moved
to the nearest window and drew down
the shade. With another glance at the
figure on the couch she went out as
quietly as she had entered, and closed
the door behind her.
The man on the couch opened his
eyes and sat up.
THAT was a shame" he muttered
Poor Jennie. This is a hard day 70,
her. I'll wait until she is settled i
her sewing room and then I'll sto.
AWAY. But first l must call Jarvis.
He reached for the receiver In ~
extension set on the table and put Il
- his ear