Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-04-13
CHAPTER vI.-contlnued.

CHAPTER Vl.-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
intoxicaion. 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"
"P'r'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 | ever in
troduced you to her." replied Under
wood. Il never thought you'd make
such a fool of yourself as to marry"
Howard shook his head in a 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 markings
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 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
Affad VOL f,I
be a petted, pampered member of that
select few called the "4OO,"' and now,
damn it all. how can | 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
1.-TWO thousand dollarsl" 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 upl" 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 vase, not a stick belongs to
me. Youn 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.
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 let's 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 herl"
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. l 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 sank
sleepily 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
he replied eagerly: Mrs. Jeffries-
yes. I'll come down No, tell her to
come up"
Hanging up the receiver, he hastily
went over to the divan and shook
Howard.