Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-03-21
CHAPTER vl.-continued.

his hand shaking so that he could
hardly hold the decanter tie was
fast approaching the state of complete
lntoxicaion. 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.
No, Howard" he said; you'd never
make a decent member of society"
"P'raps not" hiccoughed Howard.
How does Annie take her social
ostracism?" inquired Underwood
Like a 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. Il never thought you'd make
such fool of yourself as to marry"
Howard shook his head in a maud.
lin manner. as he replied:
i don't know whether | made a
fool of myself or not, but she's all
right. She's got in her the makings
of great woman-very crude. but
still the makings The only thing |
object to is, she insists on going back
to work. just as If I'd permit such a
thing Do you know what | said on
our wedding day? Mrs Howard Jeff
ries. you are entering one of the old.
est families in 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 ask her to go
back to work? But If you'H let NE
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 a picture,
not a vase, not a stick belongs to
me. You'll have to so to your ia
Their"
Never" said Howard despondently
The suggestion was evidently too
much for him, because he stretched
out his ha I'D for his whisky glass "Fa-
theirs done with me-" he said dole
fully
Hell 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
mess of things, haven't IL"
Underwood looked at him with con
tempt
You've made 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 her!"
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
10 listen TO hard-luck stories | came
10 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 nut him out
As he reached the last verse his
head began 10 nod The words came
thickly from his lips and he sank
sleepily back among the soft divan
pillows.
Just nj that moment the telephone
bell rang Underwood quickly picked
up the receiver
Who's that?" he asked AS be
heard the answer his face lii up and
he replied eagerly; Mrs. Jeff' les
yes I'll come down No. tell uer to
come M"
Hanging up the receiver. b. oastily
went over 10 the divan ala shook
Howard
Howard. wake up, con ound you!
You've got TO get out-there's some,
body coming"
he shook him roughl. nut his old
classUate made no attempt to move.
''Cutck. do you heart" exclaimed
Underwood impasiently Wake up
some ores coming
81
eyes. He had .orgotten entirely
where he WIS and believed he was
on the train. L he answered.:
Sure. I'm sleepy Supporter,
make up ms ped"
His patience exhausted. Underwood
was ahori Go pull him from the sofa