Charlevoix county herald., 1911-05-06
CHAPTER VI.-continued.

CHAPTER VI.-Continued.
He helped himself to another drink.
his hand shaking so that he could
hardly hold the decanter. He was
fast approaching the state of complete
intoxication. Underwood made no at
tempt to interfere. Why should he
care If the young fool made a sot OF
himself? The sooner he drank him
self insensible the quicker he would
get rid of him.
mo, Howard he said: you'd never
make a decent member of society"
"Pr'aps not" hiccoughed Howard.
How does Annie take her social
ostracism?" inquired Underwood.
Like brick. She's a thorough
bred, all right. She's all to the good"
'All the same, I'm sorry | ever in
troduced you to her." replied Under
wood II never thought you'd make
such fool of yourself as to marry"
Howard shook his head in maud
lin manner, as he replied:
II don't know whether | made a
fool of myself or not, but she's all
right. She's got in her the makings
of a great woman-very crude, but
still the makings. The only thing
object to is, she insists on going back
TO work, just as If Id permit such
thing. Do you know what | said on
our wedding day? Mrs. Howard jeff
Ties, you are entering one of the old
est families i'm America. Nature has
fitted you for social leadership. You'll
be a petted, pampered member of that
select few called the 400 and now,
damn it ALL how can l ask her to go
back to work? But if you'll let me
have that $1,000"
BY this time Howard was beginning
to get drowsy. Lying back on the
sofa, he proceeded to make himself
comfortable.
Two thousand dollars!" laughed
Underwood. Why, man, I'm in debt
up to my eyes.
AS far as his condition enabled him.
Howard gave a start of surprise.
Hard up" he exclaimed. Pointing
around the room. he said: What's
all this-a bluff"
Underwood nodded.
"A bluff, that's it. Not picture,
not a vase, not stick belongs to
me. You'll have to go to your ia
ther"
Never" said Howard despondently.
The suggestion was evidently too
much for him, because he stretched
out his hand for his whisky glass. ia
TIERS done with me-" he said dole
fully.
He'll relent," suggested Under
wood.
Howard shook his head drowsily.
Touching his brow, he said:
Too much brains, too much up
here" Placing his hand on his heart
he went on: Too little down here.
Once he gets an idea, he never lets it
go. he holds on. Obstinate. One
idea-stick to it, Gee, but I've made
a mess of things, haven't -"
Underwood looked at him with con
tempt
You've made a mess of your life,
he said bitterly, yet you've had some
measure of happiness. You. at least
married the woman you love. Drunk
en- beast as you are, / envy you. The
woman | wanted married some one
else, damn herr"
Howard was so drowsy from the
effects of the whisky that he was al
most asleep. AS he lay back on the
sofa, he gurgled:
Say, old man; | didn't come here
to listen to hard-luck stories. | came
to tell one"
In maudlin fashion he began to sing
"Oh. listen to my tale of woe, while
Underwood sat glaring at him, won
dering how he could put him out.
AS he reached the last verse his
head began to nod. The words came
thickly from his lips and he sanl
sleepily back among the soft dlvar
pillows.
Just at that moment the telephone
bell rang. Underwood quickly picked
up the receiver
Who's that?" he asked As he
heard the answer his face lit up an(
he replied eagerly: Mrs. Jeffries-
yes. I'll come down. No. tell her tC
come UP"
Hanging up the receiver. he hastily
went over to the diyan and shool
How