Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-02-25

| parently the same old Jfmsy.
"Oh, fine.' he replied. Thought I'd
1 just drop in on you and see how things
/ were.'
Thanks. Have cigar"
Smith pushed the box toward him,
and he helped himself to one and lit it.
II feel like l owe an apology for
keeping out of the way so long.
suppose you wondered what had be-
come of me-
II have often wondered"
"Well, you see, was sort of cut up
after the way Emma left me. 1t was
enough to make me feel sore. There
was no excuse for it. Then I've been
awfully busy. l got Job in bank
as assistant receiving teller at real
living salary. A fellow isn't ground
down there, and there's chance to
get on. They treat you like gentle
man. not like lascar cabin boy l
ought to have quit the Latin-American
line long ago. I suppose old Williams
is still slave driving"
, company"
well, he'll get what's coming to him
from somebody one Of these days."
Smith made no comment.
"Say, Jimsy, you don't give one the
impression that the world disagrees
with you. You look immense"
There's never much the matter
, with me, Brooks
"'Brooksv Why 'BrooksT What's
the matter with JoeY You needn't
, be so darned ceremonious. You
J. haven't got grudge against me be
y cause l stayed away so long, have
l. you?"
n mo grudge whatever"
h "Oh, we'll, let it 60 How's the ole
n woman?"
d "You mean Mrs. Harris?"
: who else would I mean except my
e sanity mother-in-law"
"She was we'll at last reports"
y There was another pause in the con
e. versation. and Brooks stared hard a
a. the ceiling.
lie 81 guess you're fixture here. You
he wouldn't be happy in any other lode
p, ings." he went on, looking at Jimsy
le who was eying him with his usua
to calm expression that was neither coli
k nor kind, yet partook, If anything, Q
kindness. "You ought to see til
IS cute little quarters l have. They'r
ie in a bachelor apartment house.
Is want you to come around one of thes
~ evenings. You'll come, won't you?"
I Maybe, one of these odd evenings
| We've got to provide accommodation
for more boats, and I'm busy mai
so you mustn't bank on me fc
A awhile
"A "All right. If that amt a refus
"a any evening you can dispose of wi
"a suit me- Just let me know your
"A coming; that's ALL"
" For the hundredth time his ey'
"A wandered to portraits of himself an
VI his wife in silver stand on the tabl
Nj They had presented photographs ar
III stand to Smith soon after their ma
A riage.
III you've still got that, l see," he sal
VI indicating it with nod Of the head.
"Of course"
How is she. by the bye?"
At last he had brought the conve
sation round to where he wanted 1t.
Emma? oh, she was all right witt
last heard about her"
Heard about her? She's living wi
her mother, isn't she?"
Certainly. haven't seen them f
M some time. All the family's out
| town"
! Brooks could not conceal his disa
N pointment.
M where are they staying? Is it
= from the city"
Quite some distance"
We'll. where is it? At the seasid
= In the country?" he demanded, exs
perated. why don't you come G
nri- with straight answer instead
his lodging? What do you think | al
+ it. What do you think came here fori
i'm "You said you came to see how
ere. was getting along"
ing Brooks could have kicked hims
.ht for having been betrayed into losi
ned his temper. 1t was Dad preak 1ol
lble man having favor 10 ask.
Wis. .Of course l came for that, Jims
he said. the anger gone from his vol
'But it's only natural | should ask
news of my family. You don't seem
and think l have any rights or feelings
,,rv am still Emma's husband, and it al
MISE because we've had a tiff that were
be at cat and dog for the rest of
80 ives, suppose"
you maven iorgotteh ,nat you ie !
ont mas husband, Joe, but the matter
your rights is open to difference
,ot.s construction, and I'm entitled to
was own opinion. do consider it peri
,ean ly natural, however, that you sho
be curious about your family. and
ther answered every question you've pu
j, ia me except the last. I'm under pr
very Use not to disclose their whereabt
re- to anybody That's why"
APP Yes. you We answered. hly luesli
. but you've confined yourself to
and NO as if you were witness
i der cross examination"
lie passed his hand over his eyes
sighed.
at amt like you. Jimsy," he
tinued 1T amt like you a bit
thought you at least wouldn't
AGAINST mo He's n good man