The citizen., 1914-11-20

scant board that Frieda had predicted
had developed into quite feast. There
was cold beef and turkey with q de-
licious salad, ripe olives, caviar. white
wine, and beside Dicks place bottle
of beer. He smiled as he pushed, 1t
aside.
cts shame To discourage FT.cs.a >
thoughtfulness," he said. Beer would
certainly go fine with this board"
Reynolds i'll fortune had not affect
ed his appetite. or If it 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.
"Quite a cozy nook out here. Dick, I"
!! said his host. what do you think Of
the place?" Without waiting for a
reply he added. 81 guess you'll have
to allow me one after-dinner SIP"
He drank the brandy at gulp, and
called Frieda for more water.
did you know her, Dick?" he asked,
indicating the girl as she went out.
After good look. yes. She seems
to have felt the beneficent aid of
money, Bob. If 1t 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 such i'm
provement, even in her case. used to
like her funny little braids and her
crude ways. Sometimes l feel like
asking her to dress up the way she
was over there, but l suppose she
couldn't do it. Onco 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, ''if
you want to know 1t, 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, Dick! Up OF
down, whichever you call it. But II
can't go on! want a change, a mans
life." Then. as thought of the days
disaster flashed across bis mind, he
turned hunted eyes to the journalist
and sank down into his chair. But
guess the change is coming now, old
man, l guess"-he swept pointing
hand about the richly furnished room
q 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,p 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 it out. Sit down, Dick,
want to know about you. / heard you
bought the bungalow. Are you still
over there?"
Young Meade yielded to the pathetic
l nd han ~ n 10 hot
"Yes." he answered. as he resumed
his seat, "still there"
He saw his worst fears were justi
fed. Bob had reaped the full guerdon
of his mistake. But in the depth Of his
disgrace he rebelled against acknowl
edgment of It. The sore was toe
acute and he recoiled from direct at.
tack as a man shrinks from his sur.
geons knife. Dick chose subtler
way.
"You wouldn't know the little shack,
Bob" he continued. Il put wing on
1t and had 1t painted up and stained
Brought my mother up from Ohio and
she thinks it's great. Guess it's been
a little lonesome for her. though. !
went across the pond last spring and
was gone most Of the summer. But
had 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 time Of 1t, mother and l.
and guess we are both reconciled
The place Us all paid for. too, Bob"
Great! You must have prospered
wish was back there with you
Maybe you'd take a boarder now,
What would you say if asked you
to?"
what, with this mansion and all
this junk7 I'd think you were laugh
ing at me-"
Laughing" he echoed. why,
don't know what real laugh means.
He came around to the table.
"Tm going to take just one more