The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-02-23


to Alicia, Towards stepmother, has
apartments at the Astruria, and is APP
parently in prosperous circumstances
that remains unpaid, and decides to ask
him for the $1,000 he needs. Underwood,
taking advantage Of his intimacy with
highwayman. Discovering his true char
acter she denies him the house. Alicia
receives a note from Underwood. threat
sning suicide SUI i She decides to 60 ana see Sc
Art dealers for whom he has been acting
as commissioner. demand an accounting.
He cannot make good. Howard Jeffries
calls in an intoxicated condition. He asks
Underwood for $1,000.
CHAPTER V.-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
intoxicarion. Underwood made no at
tempt to interfere. Why should he
care if the young fool made sot of
himself? The sooner be drank him
self insensible the quicker he would
get rid of him. :
mo. Howard" he said: you'd never
make decent member of society"
"P'r'aps not" hiccoughed Howard.
How does Annie take her social
ostracism?" inquired Underwood
Like brick She's a thorough
bred. all right She's all to the good"
'AlI the same. I'm sorry ever in
troduced you to her." replied Under
wood. II 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
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 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
fitted you for social leadership You'll
be petted. pampered member of that
select few called the "400."' 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 dollars!" laughed
Underwood why. man. I'm in debt
up to my eyes"
AS far as his condition enabled him,
Howard gave start of surprise.
Hard up!r he exclaimed. Pointing
around the room, he said: What's
all this-a bluff"
Underwood nodded
"A bluff. that's it. Not a picture,
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 "Fa-
TIERS 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 let's 1t
go, he holds on. Obstinate. One
! idea-stick to it. Gee. but I've made
q mess of things. haven't II"
Underwood looked at him with con-
tempt.
You've made 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 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" while
! Underwood sat Caring 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 that7" he asked. As he
heard the answer his face 1T up and
he replied eagerly: Mrs. Jeffrieg-
yes. I'll come down No. tell her q
come up"
Hanging up the receiver, he hastily
went over to the divan and shool
Howard