Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1914-12-05

had developed into quite feast. There
was cold beef and turkey with a de-
licious salad, ripe olives, caviar. white
wine, and beside Dicks place a bottle
of beer. He smiled as he pushed it
aside.
ITS shame to discourage Frieda's
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 1t. He ate ravenously and
urged Dick to keep him company. They
smoked cigarettes over their coffee
and went back to the fireplace.
Quite a coy nook out here, Dick. >
| said his host. What do you think OF
the placer" Without waiting for a
reply he added. Il guess you'll have
to allow me one after-dinner sip"
He drank the brandy at a gulp, and
called Frieda for more water.
Did you know her, Dick?" he asked,
indicating the girl as she went out.
After a good look, yes. She seems
to have felt the beneffcent aid of
money, Bob. If it had the same effect
on us all / might be less opposed to it.
Some people can stand prosperity and
some can't"
"Oh, l don't know" Reynolds coun-
tered. Il can't say that see such i'm
proyement, even in her case. used to
Ike 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. 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. eff
you want to know it, l 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 ocean
/ ter
That's held me up, Dick! Up OF
down. whichever you call 1t. But it
can't go on! l want a change, 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 l
guess the change is coming now, old
man, guess"-he swept a pointing
hand about the richly furnished room
Il 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.
NO" he said, Il don't want the lee
ture-not yet. just felt little wobbly
in the presence of a real friend, but
III 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 his chair.
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 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. Il put a wing on
it and had it 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. l
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 a few
of them pecking around now and once
in while they lay an egg or two. We
have quite a time of it, mother and /.
and l guess we are both reconciled.
The place is all paid for, too, Bob"
Great! You must have prospered
l wish l 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 junk? 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.
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"
It wasn't just to be sociable. or you
l., 3