The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-14

angry and aggrievcd. "She knew she
was talking rot too. She herself told
me that nothing happened to her when
she went TO Williams. She gave him
some soft talk, cried n little maybe
when she pleaded for me. and because
he liked her he gave her the paper re-
leasing me. That's all there was TO II.
II was as easy as rolling Off log, and
/ don't see why she should still be
making such a fuss about It, do your
"I think I do You took the chance
that something might happen to her.
You must have expected that 1t would,
and you were prepared to shut your
eyes so long as she got what you want
ed. That's what she can't overlook"
"Then you think she did right iD
leaving meT
THAT is a question I'd rather not
pass upon. 1t amt any part or what
you asked me to do"
"But l want TO know what you
think"
"And I'd rather not express any
opinions one way or the other. I'm
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 1t than
by getting her to see Williams. In the
morning it would have been too late.
She's making a mountain out Of
molehill, and l shouldn't wonder IL
you've been helping her, with your
straitlaced ways"
Thanks. i 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. l ought to
have seen her myself. / might have
known you'd bungle the whole busi
ness"
Joe. / did the very best for you l
could, the best l 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 relit his cigar that had
gone out.
Look here, Jimsy," he said Il
don't want your pity nor anybody
else's. l ought to have seen her my
self, and then everything would have
been o. 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. | 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 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 I'll 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. II have done
all could for YOU
Yes, you have." sneered Brooks.
"Why don't you want us to make up?
Do you think l don't know? 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 kindliness gone from
his visage.
"Do you think l don't know why
you've been shopping around her
skirts, installing yourself as one of
the family in my home? I'm not blind
when it 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 you'll be sorry
when you cool down"
"Sorry nothing!' Brooks shouted, be-
side himself with fury. "You make
me sick with your slow talk and oily
J
You'll give me that address this min
ute or by heck I'll hack 1t out of your
carcassw
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 assailant'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. "It'S danger