Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-01-25

stance. out In Denver ! knew fellow
who married girl who'd had pretty
much what she wanted. but he'd been
in hard luck. 1t was "a love match all
right. both parties being clean foolish
over each other Well. he didn't get
on. and she had to work pretty hard.
Finally he thought her health and
spirits were about busted up on &C.
count of the work, and he commenced
appropriating other folks money-got
way in. and the harder he tried to get
out the deeper he 1oundered Finally
the big exposure came off He was
thief. Now. what do you think about
him. Emma? Do you think because he
was long on love and short on honor
he was all bad, eh?"
She hesitated, bordering the ques-
ton as something so utterly beyond
ord, :rv cogitation that it could not
have y. scented itself to her and was
not to be lightly decided.
~ don't know what to think" she
unused. i've always loathed thief
and liar. | know there's an awful
lot of dishonesty-in business. Father
always declared that man to drink
or gamble or disspate might be weak,
but that man who stole or lied to
injure people was vicious. Somehow
think that too"
Maybe you're right. but wondered
If you'd been in his wifes place you'd
sort of forgiven the man and helped
him get right
"Perhaps-I don't know" she replied
doubtfully. But think If anything
like that ever happened it would al
most kill me-"
Her thoughts were diverted from the
subject by the ringing of the telephone
bell. She answered 1t.
Captain Williams calling" she said
to Smith. then through the phone:
ASK the gentleman to come up.
please"
Jimsy. anxious and much troubled.
regarded her lhoughtfuly.
She turned from the telephone and
advanced to him. holding out her hand.
He took it hestatingly and wonder
ingly.
"Jimsy." she said earnestly. I've
never quite understood you before
Nor" he interrogated.
But after what you told me to-
night" she went on. I've had little
peek behind the curtains You are q
good man. Jimsy-a good man. That
means everything"
For the second time in his entire
life--the first having been when he
proposed to her-Smith displayed trep-
idation
Now. Emma. be careful" he re-
proved. There amt no celestial med
ais pinned on my coat signifying an
angelic career. and don't you start
tossing bouquets in my direction"
The doorhel rang as he settled him
self in his chair again.
"Ah! There's the old sea dog" said
Mrs Brooks. Fastening to let the cap.
tain in.
Good evening. Mrs Brooks. Glad
to see you
Captain Williams grasped her hand
as his eyes wandered over the com.
Portable room. and he added:
Hello. Smith! Meet you every time
| come here"
"One of my hangouts." agreed the
superintendent genially
'Sit down. captain" invited Emma
motioning him to a chair.
Thanks" he said where's your
husband?"
Hes just gone out He'll he back
in a little while. Jimsy has been tell
ing us about your eventful trip"
"Eventful tripY
He echoed the words with Devil
dered air
Smith pushed his chair back so tina,
Mrs Brooks could not see him withou
turning in his direction and. unob
served by her. motioned warning sig
nails to his employer. who did not un
derstand them.
Spinning a yarn about that little
revolution down at Guatemala" ht
prompted.
"Eh? Guatemala oh. yes-the rev
olution-very bloody affair-very Sc
rious." replied Williams. who had sud
denly realized that he was expected t
confirm story that Smith had fount
1t expedient to relate to Mrs. Brooks
''Jimsy said there wasn't sho
fired" she told him.
Smith. seeing that the captain under
stood. drew his chair forward.
Emma. don't you let the captain 81
Won full of warns He can lie faStp
than can" he laughed.
NO" protested Williams; "ther
amt nothing can beat you. Smith
Well. Mrs. Brooks. how have yo,
been?"
splendid. When did you get in?"
when did get in? let me see
Smith. when did get imp
You look as If you had just got.
suggested the superintendent.
"Today-yes. But what time?
should say at 10. maybe II O'CLOCK"