The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-27

iiSS, 9ou are eHIeTlhS one OF Cne OlQ-
est families in America. Nature has
fitted you for social leadership. You'll
be petted, pampered member of that
select few called the "4OO."' and now,
damn it all, how can ask her to 60
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 d
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
all this-a buff"
Underwood nodded.
"A bluff, that's it, Not q picture.
not a vase, not stick belongs to
me; You'll have to go to your ia
ther."
Never" said Howard despondently
The suggestion was evidently too
much for him, because he stretched
out his hand 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
a mess of things, haven't IL"
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 l 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
to listen to hard-luck stories. | came
to tell one"
In maudlin fashion he began to sing.
"Oh, listen to my tale of woe," whi, .
Underwood sat glaring at him. won.
dering how he could put him out.
As he reached the last verse =.
head began to nod. The words came
thickly from his lips and he SER;
sleepily back among the soft divan
pillows.
Just at that moment the te;crhcce
bell rang. Underwood quickly picked
up the receiver.
who's thar" he asked. AS hc
heard the answer his face II ur 2, )
he replied eagerly: Mrs .~r"ias--.
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
Howard, wake up! confound you!
You've got to get out-there's some
OOAy SOhuiH6.
He shook him roughly, but his old
classmate made no attempt to move.
Quick, do you hear!" exclaimed
Underwood impatiently. "Wake up
some ones coming"
Howard sleepily half opened his
eyes. He had forgotten entirely
where he was and believed he wGs
on the train, for he answered:
Sure. I'm sleepy. Say-porter
make up my bed
His patience exhausted, Underwood
was about to pull him from the sofa
Dy force, when there was a ring al
the front door.
Bending quickly over his compan.
ion, Underwood saw that he was iast
asleep. There was no time to awaken
him and get him out OF the way, So
quickly he took big screen and ar.
ranged 1t around the divan so that
Howard could not he seen. Then he
hurried to the front door and
opened 1t.
Alicia entered.