The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-02-16
chAPTER Nl.--contlnued.


hardly hold the decanter He was
fast approf ching the state Of complete
lntoxieation, Underwood made no at
tempt to Interfere Why should he
care Il the young fool made a sot OF
himselfy The sooner he drank MIN
self insensible the quicker be would
set rid OF him
No, Howard he said; you'd never
make decent member OF society
Pr'aps moi" hicconghed Howard.
How does Annie take her social
ostraeismy" inquired Underwood.
Like brick She's thorough
bred an right She's all TO the good. "
An the same, I'm sorry ever in.
iroduced you TO her. replied Under
wood = never thought you'd make
such fool Of yourself as TO marry
Howard shook hts head In maud
lin manner. AZ he replied.
don't know whether made d
fool Of myself or not. but she's all
risht She's got In her the maklngs
Of great woman--very crude, but
stu the makings The only thing 4
object 70 Is. she insists on going back
70 work. juat as II I'd permit such a
thing Do you know what | said on
our wedding day Mrs. Howard JsfF
Fses. you are entering one OF the old.
est Eamilies In America Nature has
lifted you for social leadership You'll
be = petted, panpered member Of that
select few called the 400" and now.
damn II all. how can ask her to go
back to work. But II you'll let me
have that $1,000"
Ay this time Howard was beginning
10 set drowsy Lying back on the
sofa. hs proceeded 70 make himself
comfortable
Two thousand dollars!" laughed
Underwood, Why. man. I'm in debt
up TO my eyes
AZ far as hia condition enabled him,
Howard gave start Of surprise.
"Aard upt" be exclaimed. Pointing
around the room. be said; whats
all this--a blnfYg"
Underwood nodded
"A blur. that's ii. Not a picture,
not vase. not o stick belongs 70
me. You'll have 10 90 70 your "a.
ther
Never" said Howard despondeutly.
The suggestion was evidently too
much for him. because be stretched
out his hand for his whisky glass ia.
theirs done with me. be said dole.
fully
Hell relsnt.- suggested Under.
weed
Howard shook his head drowsily.
Touching hls brow. he said
TOO much brains. TOO much up
here Placing his hand on his heart,
he went on: "Too little down here.
Once be gets an Idea. he never lets II
30. he holds on Obstinate. One
idea--stick to 1t. Gee. but I'VE made
q mess Of things. havsn't IT.
Underwood looked at him with con
tempt
You've made . mess OF your life,
be said bitterly. yet you've had some
measure OF happiness. You. at least,
married the woman you love. Drunk.
en- beast a. you are. ! envy you. The
woman | wanted married some one
else. damn bert"
NSA 80 At1@nF kERn NNg
sffetts Of the whisky that he was al.
most asleep As he lay back on the
sofa. he gurEled:
Say. old man. | didn't come here
70 listen 70 hardluck stories. came
10 tell one
In maudiin fashion he began TO sing.
"oh. listen TO my tale Of woe. while
Underwood sat glartng at him, won
deripg how be could put him out.
As he reached the last verse his
head began to nod The words came
thickiy from his lips and he sank
sleepily back among the soft diVan
SLOWS.
Just at that moment the telephone
bell rang Underwood quickly picked
zp the receiver
Who's that7" be asked. Az he
seard the answer his face III up and
10 replied eagerly: Mrs. Jeffries--
res I'll come down No. tell her "a
soms up"
Hanging up the receiver. be hastily
gent over 70 the diYan and shool
HnBa.e.