The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-07

Maybe, one of these odd evenings.
We've got to provide accommodations
for more boats, and I'm a busy man,
so you mustn't bank on me for
awhile"
"All right. II 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 a 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 a nod Of the head.
"Of course"
How is she. by the bye?"
At last he had brought the conver-
satiOn round to where he wanted ii.
Emma? oh, she was all right when
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 familys 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 1t? At the seaside?
In the country" he demanded exas-
perated. "Why don't you come out
with a straight answer instead of
dodging? What do you think | am?
What do you think l came here for?"
You said you came to see how 1
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 l should ask for
news of my family. You don't seem to
think have any rights or feelings. /
am still Emma's husband, and it amt
because we've had a tiff that we're to
be at cat and dog for the rest of our
lives, suppose"
y
mas husband, Joe. but the matter Of
your rights is open to difference Of
construction, and I'm entitled TO my
own opinion. / do consider IT perfect
ly natural, however, that you should
be curious about your family, and I've
answered every question you've put to
me 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 a witness un-
der cross examination"
He passed his hand over his eyes and
sighed.
at amt like you. Jimsy," he con-
tinued. ut amt like you a bit.
thought you at least wouldn't turn
against me. He's a good man who
never does anything wrong"
That's right. l guess there arc
more men who do wrong and aren't
found out than there are men who do
wrong and are discovered, and / amt
In the business Of heaving rocks at 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 If my accounts amt in order
and I'm going to keep straight too.
What more can / do. except say I'm
sorry? What more does anybody
want me to doT
Nothing, should think"
"You believe me, Jimsy%
Joe, / believe you're speaking the
truth, and l hope with all my hear
and soul you'll keep right on the way
you're going. And, now you know how
feel about it, come right out and tel
me what brought you here"
IL will, then. / want to know abou
Emma. It's a year now since she
since we separated, and l won't stanC
1t any longer. | want her to com'
back to me. / simply can't do with
out her."
He looked at Smith expectanty, bu
the phlegmatic Jlmsy made no remark
"You see them often. Do they eve
speak about me?'
They have never mentioned you II
my presence since the night Emma lef
you"
II never believed Emma would sull
20 long. I'll bet she's as sick and tire
of this business as am. II she ain
had enough OF the old woman and tha
Etuekup little chit OF q Beth by thi
time I'm no good as a Eussser. | know
Emma. They must have baitsd Her
death"
"hsybs, but n thsy have she hasa'
told me about II and she doesn't carr
1t writ On her esxnssaa1es sO's yea
notice n"
-Jimsy. nsst zee her. Ten -
Mkero ska h.