The Wrangell sentinel., 1910-02-24
S~.-----~----z.s<S (
 E D \ I<
John ". Harding
Copyright, 1908. by G. ". Dilling-
 ham Go.
A@zzuzzz<azus aB BCEszxs1z<zsHnss sA z

yeut
 He did not see the hand that Brooks extended for the reason that he was rolling up the plans that haI been stretched before him.
 Brooks sat down in the only other armchair on the same side Ci tle ta- ble. On entering he had been very nervous. His customarE ap.oalb re- yiyed as he found that smith Was al parenny the same old Iimsy.
 '.Oh. fine" he replied. Thought I'd just drop iu on you and see AoW things were"
 Thanks. Have a cigar"
 Smith pushed the box toward him, and he helped himself to ole and lit il.
 T feel like l owe m apuia-g for keeping out of the way SD long. I suppose you wondered what had be- come of me.
 T have often wondered"
 Well. you see I was sort of cus up after the way Emma left me. l. vas enough to make me feel sore. There was no excuse for it. Then I've been avfullv busy l got job in q bank as assistant receiving teller at q real living salary. \ fellow isn't ground down there. and there's a chance t0 get on. They treat you like a gentle man. not like q Iascar cabin l5y. I ought to have quit the LatiA-Amer.ean lfna long ago. l suppose old Williams is still slave driving"
 Williams is still president of the 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 mo. Brooks. =
 "'Draoks." Why 'Brooks:' What's the matter with 'Joe:' You needn't be So darned cercmonious. You haven't got a grudge against me be- eaa>e l stayed away So long, have son:"
 No grudge whatever
 "Oh, well. l.t t go. flows the old vaman:"
 You mean Mrs. Harrfs:"
 Who else would l mean except my saiatly mother-in-law:'
 "She was well at last reports
 There was another pause in the coli yersation. and Brooks stared hard at the ceiling
 "i guess you're a fixture here. You 1,.'- in 1.tir iu-S." uc went on looking at JimSE. who was ewing him wi,h his usual .a3n expression tnat was neither cold uer Kind. vet partook. if anything. Of kindness. You ought |" see the cue little quarters 1 have. They're ia q bachelor apartment house. Na.t you to come around one of these evenings. You'll come, wont you:'
 Maybe, one of these oGa evenings. We've got to provide accommodations for more boats. and I'm busy man, 90 you mustn't bank on lie for awhile"
 MI right. If that ain't a refusal any egeuin@ yeu can dispose of wili -u.s i.p. Just fer he know you'rc coming: tAat's al"
 For the huudreGlh time his eyes wand red t. portraits of himself and Ai~ wife il silver stand e3 the table. They had presentcd photographs and stand to Smith soon after their mar Iiaee.
 "Eeu'ye Still got that. sec he said, indicating iU with a nod of tne head.
 of couFse.n
 How is she. by the bEe:'
 It last Le had Jrou-Ag Jh1 couTer- salion round to where l. wanted II.
 "EnLla: Oh. sae Uas u. i-at when l last heard ag8ur her
 .'llesLd aLeat Ter: S1e's living with Ter mother, i,n't sLe:'
 Certainly. l haven't seen them for some time Al the fal4y's out of town
 Brooks could net conceal his Gtz2p- po.atment.
 where are they staying? Is it fer from the oity:"
 Quite some distance"
 Wei. wAeae is it: It the seaside: Iii the ccuatgy:' he demanded, exas, perated. Why Gon't ycu ccMe our with straight answer instead of lodging: What C. yca think 'a-a2 What co you think ! cane here fe.:'
 You said you came t0 see how l was getting along
 Brooks tculd have Ri !-<d hiaself fer having been betrayed into los7.g hi. tp.,orar. IT z--.s a Had Iyanl- e. e.