Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-09-04
CHAPTER VI

" A HEN the door had closed
"A behind the visitors Mrs
" V Brooks and Smith sat
down and gazed az each
other in silence for some minutes
"WenT' exclaimed Emma. interrog.
atively. az last
We'll" he replied. between you
and me- Joe came as near Cettine
skinned alive rs any one ever saw"
1T was terribler
ut was terribly true. You saved
him"
Il know"
The captain must Ike YOU. never
did think he could Ike anybody"
Il hate him." she declared. with a
grimacc OF disgust. ugh. what q
beast"
Smith reflected.
Maybe and maybe not" he unused
Il can't just make him out"
At this iuncture the front doc!
7pencd ard Brooks entered.
81 saw them drive or" he said. drop
ping into chair 81 hope they wiz
stay away In future. That mother
and sister o. yours make me tired. !
can't stand for them and. what's more
WON'T They'd drive a saint TO drink,
and I'm uo saint and don't purpose TO
be- either"
His wife began 90 reproach him for
bis attack upon Captain Williams and
for his general iH humor during the
evening, but be cut her short sharply:
we won't talk about that Not a
word. you understand? Not from you
or any one else That's Gnalr'
Very well; It's dropped" she said
and, angry nc last in turn. rose and
went Go her rooSl.
lndincrently he watched her 90, then
turned 20 smith.
Got anything TO smoke. JimsyT' he
demanded
"No," ne replied. fumbling in his
pockets, las usual. I'm just ont. but
III run around 20 the corner store and
get some cigars"
Left alone, Brooks began TO give way
10 the uneasiDess and apprehension
that had followed upon his scene with
Captain Williams.
Il wonder II Williams viii Ere me-"
be muttered. IF he doesn't it's on &C
count Of Emma. He acted as II he'd
20 a long ways FOR Emma"
, He was anxious 20 know what had
happened after his brusque departure.
lie went into the bedroom and found
his wife 80 tears.
Don't cry. Emma" he said soothing
ly. going 20 her and taking her in his
arms. Il didn't mean TO hurt your
feelings. know I've got a fierce
crouch on tonight. but can't help it.
So would you have one II you'd had to
put up with what have today"
Mrs. Brooks was one OF those sweet
natured women who could not sulk for
more than five minutes IL they tried.
II needed but his caress and apparent
contrition 20 dispel her resentment
you certainly have had cause TO
worry, dear" she assented.
After what's happened tonight III
have 60 hunt another job" he said
But don't care. I'm glad l told the
beast what thought OF him. Some
day somebody II tell him what they
think Of him and plug him. too. as
sure as he's born"
You'll not have to hunt for another
Job yet awhile she told him. 'erhe
captain said he would overlook it and
that it wouldn't make any difference"
Her husband looked at her In aston
ishment. half incredulous.
He said that?"
Yes, and I'm glad it's turned out as
1t has, for how we'd manage IL you
were out OF work just now goodness
knows. l dontw
Just how did he put it?"
He said he was almighty sorry for
what had occurred, that he knew he
had been hard at times and that as
far as your place and we were con-
eerned there would be no change"
Brooks relief showed in his face.
We'll, that knocks me-" he comment
ed. Nobody else ever bucked up
against him and got of scot free. /
can't understand it Did your mother
put in word for meT'
NO"
Then It's you who must have a pull
He died right down when you spoke
TO him. ] never would have believed
such thing. II you had been a man
standing there In front Of him he'd
have smashed you. Darn 1t, l won
der who's ringing now? Can't be
Jimsy; he hasn't had time to get to the
street at the gait he goes"
He went TO the head OF the stairs
and met messenger boy who was
bearing a letter aud had received In
structSons to wait for an answer.
"sure! he exclaimed toytully as be