New-York tribune., 1910-01-23

KNOWN hlm to be younger than Delaney.
As for Mrs. Bob-wel, If you can remember
how the women dreSSin' as far back as two
years ago, and can throw on the screen pic
ture of a woman who has only the reminders of
her good looks left, you'll have her framed up.
pair OF seedy thoroughbreds, they was seedy
and down and out.
l was wonderin' if they still indulged in them
lively family debates, and how soon I'd have TO
begin dodgin dishes; but they sits down across
the table from me and hardly swaps a word
All | notices is the scornful way Lizzie asks if
they II have soup. and the tremble TO Bob Cath
aways hand as he lifts his water tumbler.
As there was only US three in the room, and
as none of us seemed to have anything to saw
1t wa n t what you might call bOisterOus
Semblage. While was waitin for dessert put
in the time gain around at the scenery, from
the moldy pickle jars at either end OF the table,
over to the walnut sideboard where they kept
the plated cake basket and the ketchup bottles,
across to the framed fruit piece that had seen so
many hard fly seasons, and up to the smoky
ceilin: l looked everywhere except at the pair
opposite.
Lizzie was balancin' the soup plates on her
left arm and singsongin the bill of fare 10
en- or-pork-col' '-ham-an' -corn-beef- N cab
bage, says she.
If Bob Cathaway didn't shudder at that,
did tor him. " You may bring nne-er-some of
the latter" says he
tested the canned peaches and then took
sneak. On one side OF the front hall was the
hotel parlOr, full of plush furniture and stuffed
birds. The office and bar was on the other |
strolls in where half dozen Clam Creekers was
Slttin around big SawduSt h; indulgin in
target practice; but after cdple of Sniffs
concludes that the breathin' air is all outside
A FTER half an hours stroll goes in. takes
lamp of the hall table, and climbs up TO
No. T. It's as warm and cheerful as an under
ground beer vault. Also l finds the window
nailed down. Huntin' for some one to fetch
me hammer was what sent me roamin'
through the hall and took me past No. IL.
where the door was part way open. And IN
| see Mr.. and Mrs. Bob Cathaway sittin' at a
little marble topped table playin' double
dummy bridge. Say do YOU know, that unex-
pected glimpse of this little private hard luck
proposition OF theirs kind OF got me IN the short
ribs. And next thing knew had my head in
the door.
For the love of Mike" says l. how do YOU
stand it
"Eh'" says Bob, droppin' his cards and
starin' at me. II beg pardon2"
Well, with that steps in tells him who am.
and how I'd Just had talk with Brother De-
Lancey. Do get the glad hand2 Why, you'd
thought l was blooming he angel come
straight from the pearly gates. Bob drags me
in, pushes me into the only rocker in the room.
shoves cigar box at me. and begins to haul
decanterS from under the waShStand They
both asks questions at once. How is every
body, and who's married who. and are so and
so still living tOgether2
reels OH society gossip for an hour before
gets chance TO do some pumpin' on nv own
hook. What | wants TO know is why in blazes
they're hidin in hole like Clam Creek
Bob only ShrugS his shoulders WHY not
here as we'll as anywhere2" saws he when
YOU can't afford 10 live among Your friends.
why-you live in Clam Creek"
But two years of it, says |. What do
YOU find TO do"
oh, we manage" saws he. wavin' at the
double dummy outfit. Babe and have our
little game. It's On,N for dime a point; but
1t helps pass away the time. You see, when our
monthly allowance comes IN we divide IL
equally and take fresh start. The winner has
the privilege OF paving our bills"
How was that for excitement And Bob
whispers 10 me, starts out for little
walk before turnin' in. Il generally fix II So
Babe-er, Mrs. Cathaway-can win YOU know"
From other little hints | gathers that their
stay in Clam Greek has done one thing for en-
anyway. Ii had put EN- wise 20 the great fact
that the best way for two parties to get along
together is 10 cut out the hammer music.
so YOU had talk with DeLancey2" saws
Bob on the way back. Il suppose he-er-
sent no meSSagRp''