The midland journal., 1914-11-20


licious salad, ripe olives, caviar. white
wine, and beside Dicks place bottle
Of beer. He smiled as he pushed It
aside.
"It's shame 20 discourage Tf..SSa )
thoughtfulness," !" he said. Beer would
certainly go fine with this board"
Reynolds i'll fortune had not affect
ed his appetite. or i'll had the brandy
had restored It. He ate ravenously and
urged Dick to keep him company. They
smoked cigarettes over their coffee
and went back to the fireplace. 80
"Quite q cozy nook out here, Dick. :"
said his host. what do you think Of
the placer" without waiting for 3
reply he added. Il guess youll have
to allow me one after-dlnner sip.
He drank the brandy az q gnlp, and
called Frieda for more water.
ibid you know her. Dick?" he asked.
indicating the girl as she went out.
"After good Look. yes. She seems
to have felt the benefcent aid OF
money, Bob. II it had the same effect
on us all might be less opposed to It.
Some people can stand prosperity and
some can't"
"Oh, don't know" Reynolds coun-
tered. Il can't say that ] see ss,ch Inn
provement, even in her case. Iused to
like her funny little braids and her
crude ways. Sometimes I feel like
asking her to dress up the way she
was over there, but / suppose she
couldn't do it. Once we kick away the
props, the scene is gone and we can't
call it back, except in mind. That
chain of thoughts been hitting me
hard lately"
He walked over and put his hands
on his friends shoulders.
"In fact, Dick" he continued, IL
you want to know It, wish to God
was back in Staten Island. Back In
that sitting laboratory in Bowling
Green. Back anywhere where there
are men and something to do"
He turned away and paced the floor.
YES" he cried, In strained, piteous
tones, Il must have work. Work!
Work and sleep, or shall go insane!"
He reeled and pointed to the decan-
ter.
That's held me up, Dickl Up or
down, whichever you call t. But 1t
can't go on! want a change, q mans
life" Then, as thought Of the days
disaster flashed across his mind, he
turned hunted eyes to the journalist.
and sank down into his chair. '.But |
guess the change is coming now, old
man, / guess"-he swept q pointing
hand about the richly furnished room
I-"I guess I'm through with this
The realization that he was now an
absolute failure and that in the climax
of his failure he confronted the man
who predicted 1t had wrought upon
Bob until he collapsed, but he was not
ready for complete surrender. As Dick
rushed to him he Strengthened up and
pushed his friend away.
'No," he said, 81 don't want the lee
ture not yet. just felt little wobbly
in the presence of real friend, but
I'll stick 1t out. Sit down, Dick. I
want to know about you. heard you
bought the bungalow. Are you still
over there?"
Young Meade yielded to the pathetic
entreaty and went back to hislchair.
eyes," he answered, as he resumed
his seat, .'still there"
He saw his worst fears were justi-
ned. Bob had reaped the full guerdon
OF his mistake. But In the depth Of his
disgrace he rebelled against acknowl-
edgment Of IL. The sore was too
acute and he recoiled from direct at
tack as man ehrinkS from his SUR
geon's knife. Dick chose a subtler
way.
"You wouldn't know the little shack,
Bob" he continued. II put a wing on
It and had II painted up and stained.
Brought my mother up from Ohio and
she thinks it's great. Guess it's been
little lonesome for her. though. l
went across the pond last spring and
was gone most OF the summer. But /
had d man to keep up the garden and
bought back some Of the chickens
you sold to Collins. There are few
of them pecking around now and once
In while they lay an egg or two. We
have quite a time OF 1t, mother and 1,
and guess we are both reconciled-
The place is all paid for, too, Bob"
''Greatl You must have prospered.
wish was back there with you-
Maybe you'd take boarder now.
What would you say If asked you
tor
What. with this mansion and all
this junk? I'd think you were laugh
ing at me-"
Laughing" he echoed. why. l
don't know what real laugh means"
He came around to the table.
I'm going to take just one more
drink. Dick. Then I'm going to ask
you something" He drained the glass
and looking down:
what brought you around tonight?
1t wasn't just to be s0ciable. or you'd
have come before. What was it7"