The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-02-24


in bachelor apartment house.
| want you to come around one of these
evenings. You'll come, won't your"
"Maybe, one Of these odd evenings.
We've got to provide accommodation
for more boats, and I'm busy man,
SO you mustn't bank on me for
awhile"
"All right. If that amt a refusal
any evening you can dispose Of will
suit me. Just let me know you're
coming; that's ALL"
| For the hundredth time his eyes
wandered to portraits of himself and
his wife in Il silver stand on the table.
They had presented photographs and
stand to Smith soon after their mar
riage.
you've still got that. see,' he said,
indicating it with nod Of the head
"Of course
"How is she, by the bye?'
At last he had brought the CONVEX.
sation round to where he wanted it.
Emma? Oh, SIC was all right when
l last heard about her."
"Heard about her? She's living with
her mother, isn't she?''
certainly. l haven't seen them for
some time. All the family's out Of
town.
Brooks could not conceal his disap-
pointment.
"Where are they staying? Is it far
from the city!"
"Quite some distance"
"Well, where is it? At the seaside :?
In the country?" he demanded, exas-
perated. why don't you come out
with a straight answer instead of
lodging? What do you think | am?
What 90 you think came here for?'
"YOu said you came to see how
was getting along"
Brooks could have kicked himself
for having been betrayed into losing
his temper. 1t was a bad break for a
man having favor to ask.
"Of course l came for that, Jimsy,'
he said, the anger gone from his voice.
But it's only natural should ask for
news of my family. You don't seem to
think l have any rights or feelings.
am still Emma's husband, and it amt
because we've had tiff that were to
lives, suppose"
II haven't forgotten that you're EN-
mas husband, Joe, but the matter OF
your rights is open to difference of
construction, and I'm entitled to my
own opinion. l do consider it perfect
~ natural, however, that you should
be curious about your family, and I've
answered every question you've put tc
Inc except the last. I'm under prom
Use not to disclose their whereabouts
to anybody. That's why"
'Yes, you've answered my questions,
but you've confined yourself to Yes
and No as If you were witness un.
der cross examination
He passed his hand over his eyes and
sighed.
ut amt like you, Jimsy," he con-
tinued. ut amt like you bit.
thought you at least wouldn't turn
against me. He's good man who
never does anything wrong"
THAT'S right. l guess there are
more men who do wrong and aren't
found out than there are men who do
wrong and are discovered, and l amt
In the business of heaving rocks ut any
man-certainly not at YOU"
I'm glad to hear you say that. I've
been living on the level ever since.
You can believe me, Jimsy-ask the
bank II MY accounts amt In order
and I'm going to keep straight too.
What more can l do. except say I'm
sorry7 What more does anybody
want me to DOR
Nothing, / sheuld think
"You believe me, Jimsy2"
Joe, I believe you're speaking the
truth, and hope with all my heart
and soul you'll keep right on the way
you're going. And, now you know how
l feel about it, come right out and tell
me what brought you here"
II will, then. l want to know about
Emma. It's year now since She
since we separated, and l won't stand
1t any longer. l want her to come
back to me. simply can't do with
out her"
A4C iooNSu 'l AoluIlH NjCCtuItly, Dut
the phlegmatic Jimsy made no remark.
you see them often. Do they ever
speak about me?"
"They have never mentioned you in
my presence since the night Emma left
you"
Il never believed Emma would sulk
so long. I'll bet she's as sick and tired
of this business as l am. If she amt
had enough Of the old woman and that
stuckup little chit of a Beth b. this
time Pm no good as guesser. l know
Emma. They must have baited her to
DEATH
Maybe, but if they have she hasn't
told me about it, and she doesn't carry
1t writ on her countenance SOS you'd
notice it."