Middletown transcript., 1914-11-28

like her funny little braids and hel
crude ways Sometimes feel like
asking her to dress up the way shG
was over there, but l suppose shs
couldn't do It. Once we kick away ths
props. the scene is gone and we cam
call It back, except IN mind. That
chain Of thoughts been hitting me
hard lately"
Hs walked over and put his hands
on his friend's shoulders.
sIn fact Dick, he continued, 81
you want to know It, / wish to God
was back In Staten Island. Back II
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, piteoue
tones, Z must have work Work!
Work and sleep. or shall go insane!s
He reeled and pointed to the decan,
ter.
That's held me mp. Dickl Up OF
down, whichever you call 1t. But Il
can't go on! want change. a 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. 'eBut
guess the change is coming now, old
man, guess"-he swept a pointing
hand about the richly furnished room
81 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 It 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.
mo-" he said, 81 don't want the lee
ture-not yet. just felt little wobbly
in the presence Of real friend, but
III stick 1t out. Sit down, Dick, /
want to know about you. l heard you
bought the bungalow. Are you still
over there?''
Young Meade yielded to the pathetic
entreaty and went back to his chair.
"Yes," he answered, as he resumed
his seat, still there"
He saw his worst fears were 1usti-
fed. Bob had reaped the full guerdon
of his mistake. But in the depth Of his
disgrace he rebelled against ackh5w!
edgment Of it. The sore was too
acute and he recoiled from direct at
tack as a man shrinks from his sur
geon's knife. Dick chose a subtler
way.
"You wouldn't know the little shack,
Bob" he continued. "I put q wing on
it 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. I
went across the pond last spring and
was gone most Of the summer. But
had a man to keep up the garden and
/ bought back some Of the chickens
you sold to Collins. There are q few
Of them pecking around now and once
in a while they lay an egg or two We
have quite time Of It, mother and I.
and ! guess we are both reconciled.
The place is all paid for, too. Bob.
"Greatl You must have prospered
I wish / was back there with you.
Maybe you'd take a boarder now
What would you say If asked you
tor
What. with this mansion and all
this junk7 I'd think you were laugh
Ing at me-"
Laughing" he echoed. "why. 1
don't know what a real laugh means"
He came around to the table.
"Pm 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?
L wasn't Just to be soeiable, or you'd
have come before. What was it,"
Suppose the answer involved q lee.
.ure?" Dick asked. He smiled eneour-
lgingly, however. and added briskly;
But II doesn't, Bob. To tell you the
ruth, have heard that you've been
ip against 1t and today. by accident,
earned what you've been up against" "
Somebody's been telling you fairy
ales," Reynolds retorted with an air
If assurance. do / look like 3 pau
oerf''
He was calm enough. but 4 student