Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-01-14
Novelized From
Eugene Walters
Great Play ~
CHAPTER VI.

atively. at last.
Well" he replied. '.between you
and ME. Joe came as near getting
skinned alive as any one l ever saw"
ut was terribler'
ut was terribly true. You saved
him"
II know"
The captain must like you never
did think he could like anybody"
Il hate him." she declared. with
grimace of disgust ugh. what a
beast"
Smith reflected
Maybe. and maybe not" he mused
81 can't Just make him out
At this juncture the front door
opened ard Brooks entered.
II saw them drive off," he said. drop.
ping into chair. 81 hope they will
stay away in future. That mother
and sister of yours make me tired. l
can't stand for them. and. what's more.
! won't! They'd drive saint to drink,
and I'm no saint and don't purpose to
lie. either"
His wife began to reproach him for
Lis attack upon Captain Williams and
for his general i'll humor during the
evening. but he cut her short sharply:
I'VE won't talk about that! Not a
word. you understand? Not from you
or any one else That's final"
Very well: it's dropped" she said
rnd. angry ut last in turn. rose and
went to- her room
Indifferently he watched her go. then
turned to Smith.
Got anything to smoke. Jimsy?" he
demanded
NO." he replied. fumbling in his
pockets. las usual, I'm just out. but
I'll run around to the corner store and
get some cigars"
Left alone. Brooks began to give way
to the uneasiness and apprehension
that had followed upon his scene with
Captain Williams.
Il wonder If Williams will fire me, y
he muttered. "If he doesn't it's on ac-
count of Emma. He acted as If he'd
go long ways for Emma"
He was anxious to know what had
lie went into the bedroom and found
his wife in tears.
Don't cry. Emma" he said soothing
ly. going to her and taking her in his
arms. II didn't mean to hurt your
feelings. know I've got a fierce
crouch on tonight. but l can't help it
So would you have one If you'd had tc
put up with what have today"
Mrs. Brooks was one of those swee
natured women who could not sulk fol
more than five minutes if they tried
1t needed but his careSS and apparen
contrition to dispel her resentment.
you certainly have had cause tt
worry. dear" she assented.
After what's happened tonight IL
have to hunt another job" he said
"Hut don't care. I'm glad told thu
beast what | thought of him. SOM
day somebody ii tell him what the
think Of him and plug him. too. a
sure as he's born"
You'll not have to hunt for anotlA
job yet awhile" she told him. "Th
captain said he would overlook it an
that 1t wouldn't make any difference
Her husband looked at her in aston
ishment. half incredulous.
lie said that!
Yes, and I'm glad it's turned out a
1t has. for how we'd manage if 20
were out of work just now goodness
knows. l dont!'
Just how did he put it?"
He said he was almighty sorry fo
what had occurred. that he knew b
had been hard ut times and that q
far as your place and we were col
ccrned there would be no change"
Crooks relief showed III his face.
We'll, that knocks me-" he common
ed. Nobody else ever bucked u
against him and got off scot free.
can't understand it. Did your mothe
put in word for me?''
No"
Then it's you who must have pul
lie died right down when you spoE
to him. never would have believe
such thing. If you had been a ma
standing there i'll front of him he
have smashed you. Darn it. wol
Ger who's ringing now! Can't
Jimsy; he hasn't had time TO get to ii
street at the gait he goes"
He went to the head of the stall
and met messenger boy who W;
bearing a letter and had received il
structions to wait for an answer.
Sure" he exclaimed joyfully as
perused the missive. "Tickled
death! Go and get your things o
Emma It's from Beatrice Langle
and Willie Ferguson. Willie's givil
sort of theater party. and they wal
us to go with them. There's going
be u little supper afterward."
She shook her head.
'.Tell them we cant go"
Cant so! Why not?"
II simply can't"
81 don't see why"
well. then. won't: so there! You
better make some excuse"
Write it yourself. then" he sal
irritated and deeply disappointed. ~
not going to lie to them"
Without another word she fetcht
some writing material. inditcd Il
note and sent it off by the mcssenge
What's the matter? Are you so
over what happened tonight?" lie d
munded sulkily.
mo, I'm not sore. Joe"
Then why can't you go?"
Because can't That's all!''
II think you might. If you did,
want to go yourself you might ha
accepted for my sake. never 6
opv a ,pusamapt and vnu,rn nlryn