The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-03-17

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only give me time." he cried desper-
ately. Good God. you don't know
what It means to me. Bennington! The
position I've made for myself will be
swept away and"
Mr.. Bennington remained distant
and unsympathetic and Underwood
threw himself into a chair with a ges-
ture OF disgust
Sometimes | don't think care
what happens" he exclaimed. Things
haven't been going my way lately |
! don't care a hang whether school
keeps or not II they drive me to the
wall I'll do something desperate
| I'll"
A ring at the front door bell inter
rupted him.
Who eau that be?" he exclaimed.
startled. He looked closely at his
companion. as II trying to read in his
face II he we're deceiving him.
Probably your friend OF the tele-
phone" suggested Bennington.
Underwood opened the door and
Howard entered jauntily.
IL
his jocular greeting
He was plainly under the influence
OF liquor When he left home that
evening he had sworn to Annie that
he would not touch drop, but by the
time he reached the Astruria his cour-
age failed him. He rather feared I'm
derwood. and he felt the need OF a
stimulant to brace him up for the
strike" he was about to make. The
back door OF a saloon was convenient.
ly open and while he was refreshing
himself two other men he knew
dropped In. Before he knew It, half
dozen drinks had been absorbed
and he had spent the whole OF IS
which his wife had intrusted to him
out OF her carefully boarded savings
When he sobered up he would real
lie that he had acted like coward
and cur, but Just now he was feel
Ing rather jolly. Addressing Under
wood with impudent familiarity. he
went on:
THE ID boy didn't seem TO know
IL you were In or not, so | came up
anyhow" Glancing at Bennington,
he added: Sorry, II I'm butting in"
Underwood was not in the humor
to be very gracious. Long ago young
Howard Jeffries had outgrown his use
fulness as far as he was concerned.
He was at loss to guess why he had
come to see him unlimited, on this
particular Sunday night, too. 1t was
with studied coldness. therefore. that
he said
sit down-Im glad to see you"
You don't look It," grinned How
ard, as he advanced further into the
room with shambling. uncertain steps.
Concealing his Ill humor and prom
Using himself to get rid of his unwel-
come visitor at the first opportunity.
Underwood introduced the two men.
Mr. Bennington-Mr Howard JEFF
ries, Jr."
Mr.. Bennington had heard OF the
older Jeffries' trouble with his scape-
grace son, and he eyed, with some in
terest, this young man who had made
such a flasco of his career.
"Oh. I know Bennington" exclaimed
Howard jovially. 81 bought an ele-
plants tusk at his place in the days
when I was somebody" With mock
sadness he added. I'm nobody now
couldn't even buy a collar button"
Won't you sit down and stay
awhileT said Underwood sarcastic
ally.
If you don't mind. I'll have a drink
first" replied Howard. making his
way TO the desk and taking up the
whisky decanter
Underwood did not conceal his an
noyance. but his angry glances were
entirely lost on his new visitor. who
was rapidly getting into maudlin
condition. Addressing Bennington
with familiarity, Howard went on:
Say. do you remember that won
derful set of ivory chessmen my old
man bought?"
Bennington smiled and nodded.
"Yes, sir; do, indeed. All. your
father Is fine art critic!"
Howard burst into boisterous laugh
ter
Art critic!" he exclaimed. Il
should say he was. He's born
critic. He can criticise any old thing
every old thing | don't care what
1t is. he can criticise IT, When in doubt
-criticise,' is nailed on fathers es-
cutcheon" Bowing with mock cour-
tesy to each he raised the glass to his
lips and said: "Here's how"
Bennington laughed good humored.
ly, and turned TO go.
We'll. good night, Mr.. Jeffries.
Good night, Mr.. Underwood"
Underwood followed the manager to
the door.
Good night" he said gloomily.