The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-02-09

"Oh, that's all right, too. II they'll
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 chair with ges-
ture of disgust.
Sometimes I don't think care
what happens" he exclaimed. Things
haven't been going my way lately. I
don't care a hang whether school
keeps or not. If they drive me to the
wall I'll do something desperate,
I'll" -.
A ring at the front door bell inter
rupted him.
who can that be?" he exclaimed,
startled. He looked closely at his
companion, as If trying to read in his
face il he were deceiving him.
Probably your friend of the tele-
phone" suggested Bennington.
| Underwood opened the door and
Howard entered jauntily.
Hello, fellers, how goes it?" was
his jocular greeting.
He was plainly under the influence
of liquor. When he left home that
evening he had sworn ito Annie that
he would not touch drop, but by the
time he reached the Astrurta his cour'
age failed him. He rather feared I'm
derwood, and he felt the need Of
stimulant to brace him up for the
strike" he was about to make. The
back door of saloon was convenient
ly open and while he was refreshing
himself two other men he knew
dropped in. Before he knew it, hal
a dozen drinks had been absorbed
and he had spent the whole of 81
which his wife had intrusted to hin
! out of her carefully boarded savings
When he sobered up he would real
] lie that he had acted like a coward
and cur, but just now he was feel
ing rather jolly. Addressing Under
wood with tmpudent familiarity, he
went on!
'The id boy didn't seem to know
anyhow" CHANGING at Bennington
he added: Sorry, If I'm butting in
Underwood was not in the hume
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 hal
come to see him unlimited, on thi
particular Sunday night, too. 1t wa
with studied GOODNESS, therefore, tina
he said
"Sit down-Fm glad to see you"
You don't look it," grinned How
ard. as he advanced further into tn
room with shambling, uncertain steps
= Concealing his ill humor and prom
: Using himself to get rid of his unwe
!. come visitor at the first opportunit.
Underwood introduced the two mel
'Mr. Bennington-Mr. Howard Jei
ries, Jr"
= Mr.. Bennington had heard of Il
older Jeffries' trouble with his scar
~ grace son, and he eyed, with some
- terest, this young man who had ma
-, such a flasco of his career
- ~Oh, I know Bennington" exclaim,
- Howard joviaIly. IT bought an ell
~ plants tusk at his place in the da,
~ when was somebody" With moe
- - sadness he added, I'm nobody no
~ couldn't even buy collar button
- Wont you sit down and sta
awhile?" said Underwood sarcasti
-, ally.
~ IF you don't mind, I'll have a drir
D. way to the desk and taking up ii
whisky decanter.
70 Underwood did not conceal his a
LII noyance, but his angry glances we
entirely lost on his new visitor, wi
y, was rapidly getting into a maud
~ condition. Addressing Benningtt
with familiarity, Howard went on:
Say, do you remember that VIC
derful set of ivory chessmen my O
ID man bought?"
'h Bennington smiled and nodded
III Yes, sir; do, indeed. All, 20
g. father is fine art critic!"
10 Howard burst into boisterous Iaug
al ter.
re Art critic!" he exclaimed.
60 should say he was. He's a DO
en critic. He can criticise any old thi
'e' every old thing. | don't care wh
lis it IN, he can criticise it. When in dou
-cTiticise,' is nailed on fathers
VI. cutcheon." Bowling with mock CO,
he tesy to each he raised the glass to
lips and said: Here's howl"
ne Bennington laughed good humor'
ly, and turned to go.
~ well, good night, Mr.. Jeffrie
ne Good night, Mr.. Underwood"
all Underwood followed the manager
ne the door.
Good night" he said gloomily.
he