The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-05-04
CHAPTER vi.

SHSNF ~ EN- We
The door alarmed. and Underwood
returned to the sitting room. Taking
no notice OF Howard. he walked over
to the desk. slowly selected cigar
and lighted 1t. Howard looked Up At
him foolishly. not knowing what &c
say. His frequent libations had &C
betuddled him that he had almost for.
gotten the object Of his visit
"Ezerso ny buttinS in. old chap.
he stammered. but"
Underwood made no answer. How.
ard stared At him IN connie surprise,
He was not so drunk ~ not to be
able to notice that something Wal
wrong.
Say. old fellow he EurEled;
you're regular Jim Dumps. Why
so chopfallen. So! Ny! what long
face! Is that the way you greet 4
classmate, fellow frat? Wait till
you hear my hard.luck story. Thatn
cheer you up. Who was It said:
There's nothing cheers US Up SO much
as other peoples money!" Reaching
for the whisky bottle. he went on:
First I'll pour out another drink.
You see. I need courage. old man.
I've got favor 10 ask. want some
money. not only want i'll need It"
Underwood laughed. a hollow. mock,
Ing laugh OF derision. His old class.
mate had certainly chosen good time
TO come and ask him for money. How.
ard mistook the cynical gayety for
good humor.
q said I'd cheer you up" he went
on. q don't want to remind you OF
that little matter OF two hundred and
fifty bucks which you borrowed from
me two years ago. ! suppose you've
forgotten 1t, but"
A look OF annoyance came over IN
derwood's face.
Well, what OF IT," he snapped.
Howard took another drink before
he continued.
81 wouldn't remind you of the loan.
old chap: but I'm up against It. When
the family kicked me out for marry
ing the finest girl that ever lived. my
father cut me OF with pIking allow
ance which l told him TO put In the
church plate. I told him ! preferred
independence. Well" he went on
with serio-comic gravity. II got my In
dependence. bu; Tm-rm dead broke.
You might as well understand the stu
alton plainly. can't find any bust
ness that I'm fitted for, and Annie
threatens to go back to work. Now.
you know can't stand anything Ike
that. I'm too much Of a man to be
supported by any woman"
He looked toward Underwood in a
stupid kind OF way. as II looking for
some sign OF approval, but he was dis
appointed. Underwood's face was q
study OF supreme indifference. He did
not even appear to be listening. Some.
what Disconnected. Howard again
raised the glass to his lips. and thus
refreshed. went on:
Then / thought OF you, old chap.
You've made rousing success OF 1t
got big name as art collector-made
lost Of money and all that"
Underwood impadendy interrupted
him.
It's impossible. Jerriss. Things are
a little hard with me. too, just now.
You'll have to wait for that $3.50"
Howard Grinred
faint the $3.50, old man. l didn't
want that. want couple OF thou.
sand"
Underwood could not help laughing.
"a couple of thousand? Why not
make It miiIion?"
Towards demand struck him as be-
Ing so humorous that he sat down con-
vulsed with laughter.
Looking at him stupidity. Howard
helped himself to another drink.
1T seems I'm hit" he said with
grin.
Underwood by this time had recOv.
cred his composure.
so you've done nothing since you
left college?" he said.
NO" answered Howard. 81 don't
seem to get down to anything. Ny
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