Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-03-15
s,f4 NJ = ~ n N
PAID In
Fl |. !, |
Novslizel From Eugene
Walters Great Play
JOHN D u y. HARDING il ] Il. !,
CHAPTER XIV.
c.syrle.. ~. y 9. w.ps.,,.1A.. G.

lou mean tNdt ne 10 come Upy
''Yes. II he doesn't misd."'
The landlady went out. gathering
from the visitors unusual request and
her boarders reply that there had been
trouble between them. Jimsy pushed
away the book be had been readins
and leaned back In hls chair to await
his former friends coming.
Brooks shufied rather than walked
in. He did not offer to shake hands,
bur. with subdued Hello. Jimsy. "
seated himself on the edge Of the arm
chair that 10 former days he occupied
as his own. Then he seemed to forget
where he was. sank back, shrinking
into his oyercoat. and nat 40 though
stupeHed. twisting his hat in bis hands
slowly and mechanically.
Smith wns shocked at the change in
his appearance. His face was white
and thin, and the eyes. which were al
most expressionless. were deep sunk In
the sockets. There was stubble on his
chin; his formerly neatly plastered
hair was disheveled.
"Boy, you're ILL.," said Jimsy with
concern. ''Let me get 4 bracer for
you.''
He rose and produced . decanter Of
whisky. but his visitor declined, this
time with Z wan nlckering smile Of APP
probation.
mo. thanks. Jimsy. don't feel like
It lust now. I've been drinking too
much OF the, stun. and haven't eaten
since last night, think. |" "
\ "For heavens sake!' exclaimed
Jimsy.
Brooks would have restrained him.
but be was out Of the door and bound
ing downstairs three steps ct a time.
Brooks sank back into the chair and
felapsed into his condition Of hebetude.
8 In little while Smith returned. q
plate heaped high with sandwiches in
one hand and bowl Of bot bouillon In
the other Brooks refused the sand
witches. but he took the bowl, and,
holding 1t in both hands-which trem-
bled-sipped its grateful contents.
"Jimsy. you're awfully good" he
sighed.
"Oh. no-none Of that" protested
Smith. 'Tell me what brought you
here. What can do for your"
II don't know why came. after
after the way acted last time. r.
Never mind that. Let's forget about
IT, ,I
mo. have no right here. Jimsy.
I'm done for"
"How done for2''
81 am. and you'll kick me out, as I
deserve. when you know. Jimsy. I've
done It again. I'm . thief second
tine. and again for q woman"
Smith looked grave. but he said
nothing.
what! You don't get up and kick
me! Wen. we'll! suppose It's just
like you. but | rather hoped you would.
You're the only man who wouldn't
But wait till you hear. can tell It to
you because you can't help me. No
body can. I'm beyond helping.
Better try Z sandwich drst." sug-
sgested Smith There's no hurry
Thanks: think will. That beef
tea did me good.
He ate three sandwiches ravenously,
washing them down with water.
There isn't whole lot to relate" he
said. You can Oh In the details for
yourself. ] tried backing the ponies
again: then stole from the bank.
There was an examination Of the books
At the hank four days ago. didn't
turn up there that day. and haven't
been there since: but. Of course, the
game b up wandered about. drink:
ing to try to forget my troubles till all
my money was gone. Then sobered
up. and here l am. This time there's
no one 70 save me. The bank couldn't
be fixed. even IL had the funds to
make my stealings good. They'd get
me wherever ! bid myself. that's sure.
They must bs looking for me now.
And. o God. l can't face it!''
Tears rlined down his face-tea1
that he made no effort 70 hide or wipe
away. IS
II knew was going headlong down
to hell-knew what was doing saw
the certain punishment- yet couldn't
stop myself. And now ! have reached
the mouth Of the pitt
He shuddered and writhed IN agony
Of torment. turning his pitiful. stream
ing eyes upon Smith.
'.Oh. Jimsy, u you would only KIN
me and end II an. be moansd. "Oh.
Il only had the courage to kin my
selfr''
smith, greatly agitated. looked at the
miserable man IN perpaexity.
II wish 4 could help you, Joe. /" he
said. ..But this time don't zee how
you can b helped"
Z at isn't possible. There's nothing
lou could do. I'm done for. It's my
Swn fault" hs sobbed II brought It
all on myself. ! have been weak ooh:
weak-and fool. And now its come
to this. No: nobody's to blame but my
self-unless It's Emma. =
He rose to 60.
.shaks hands with me. Jimsy," be
begged. .It's the hand Of a thief. q
criminal's hand. but you were glad to
take It in friendship once. when It was
honest. and its the last time I'll ever
ask you to do anything for me. You'll
never re me again"
Smith grasped the hand held out to.
him, and his pressure was more elo-
quent Of his feelings than mere words