The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-29
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER vi.
The door slammed, and Underwood
returned to the sitting room. Taking
no notice Of Howard. he walked over
to the desk, slowly selected cigar
and lighted It. Howard looked up al
him foollshly, not knowing what e
say. His frequent libatious had sc
befuddled him that he had almost for
gotten the object Of his visit.
Excuse my butting in, old chap
he stammered, but" u
Underwood made NO answer. How
ard stared at him in comic surprise
He was not so drunk as not TO be
able to notice that something was
wrong.
Say. old fellow" he gurgled
you're regular Jim Dumps. Why
SO chopfallen, so? My! what . long
face! Is that the way you greet a
clsssmate, a fellow frat? Wait I'LL
you hear my hard-luck story. ThatlI
cheer you up. Who was it said:
There's nothing cheers us up so much
as other peoples money!" Reaching
for the whisky bottle, he went on:
First III pour out another drink
You see, need courage, old man
I've got favor to ask. want some
money. not only want it'll need 1t"
Underwood laughed, a hollow, mock
ing laugh OF derision. His old class
mate had certainly chosen good time
10 come and ask him for money. How
ard mistook the cynical gayety for
good humor.
~ said I'd cheer you up" he went
on. 81 don't want to remind you OF
that little matter OF TWO hundred and
fifty bucks which you borrowed from
me two years ago. suppose you've
forgotten ii, but"
A look OF annoyance came, over I'm
derwood's face,
We'll, what OF it," he snapped.
Howard took another drink before
he continued.
u wouldn't remind you OF the loan
old chap: but I'm up against it. When
The family kicked me out for marry
ing the finest girl that ever lived. my
father cut me Oft with q plking allow
unce which | told him to put in the
church plate ] told him preferred
independence. Well" he went on
with serio.comlc gravity, Il got my in
dependence, but l'm-7I'm dead broke
You might as well understand the stu
alton plainly. can't find any bnsi'
ness that I'm fitted for, and Annie
threatens to 60 back 10 work. Now
you know | can't stand anything like
that. I'm too much OF a man TO be
supported by any woman"
He looked toward Underwood in a
stupid kind Of way, as II looking for
some sign OF approval, but he was dis
appointed Ulderwood's face was a
study OF supreme indifference, lie did
not even appear to be listening. Some
what disconnected, Howard again
raised the glass to his lips, and thus
refreshed, went on:
Then ! thought OF you, old chap
You've made rousing success Of il
got a big name as art colleGtOr--madH
lost OF money and all that"
Underwood impatiently Interrupted
him.
It's impossible, Jeffries. Things are
little hard with me. too, just now
You'll have TO wait for that $3.50"
Howard grinned.
'Taint the $3.50. old man, ] didn't
want that. want a couple Of thou
sand"
Underwood could not help laughing
"A couple OF thousand? Why not
make tia milliOn?"
Howard's demand struck him as he
lug so humorous that he sat down CON
vulsed with laughter.
Looking at him stupidity, Howard
helped himself to another drink.
1T seems In HIT" he said with
grin.
Underwood by this time had recov'
cred his composure.
so you've done nothing since you
left colIege?" he said.
NO" answered Howard. Il don't
seem, to get down to anything. Ny