Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1911-09-21
p vL.-Continued,

his hand shaking so that he could
hardly hold the decanter. He was
fast approaching the state of complete
fntoxication. Underwood made no at,
tempt 10 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"
"Pr'aps 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 l ever in.
troduced you to her" replied Under
wood. 81 neve thought you'd make
such a fool Of yourself as to marry"
Howard shook his head in a maud
lin manner, as he replied:
Il don't know whether l 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 markings. 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.
Fies, you are entering IN 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 l ask her to 90
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: Whats
nil 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 go to your ia.
Their"
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.
Hell %reIent," 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 ii
60, he holds on. Obstinate. One
tde4-stick to it, Gee, but I've made
q MEGA of things, haven't II"
Underwood looked at him with con
GemDt.
you've made a mess Of your life"
he eaid bitterly, yet you've had some
measure of happiness. You, at least,
married the woman you love. Drunk.
en- beast as you are, l envy you. The
woman | wanted married some one
else. damn heri'
Howard was so drowsy from the
R.-Au - khn mhizlyTy that hn uyon al
most asleep. AS he lay back on the
sofa, he gurgled:
<'Say, old man; l 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
.kAring how he could put him out.
AS he reached the last verse his
head began to nod. The words came
fhickly from his lips and he sank
.sIeepily back among the soft divan
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 and
ne replied eagerly: Mrs. Jeffrles-
yes. I'll come down. No, tell her Ia
come up"
Hanging up the receiver, he hastily
went over Ia the divan and shook
6fnEaEA