Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-03-25

scans neR-d that Frfeaa had presicsctf
had developed into quite feast. There
was cold beef and turkey with de-
liuions salad. ripe olives, caviar, white
wine, and beside Dicks place bottle
Of beer. He smiled IA he pushed 1t
aside.
"It's q ahano TO discourage Frledas
thonghtfulness. !" he said. Beer would
certainly so fine with this board"
Reynolds Ill fortune had not AFFECT
ed his appetite. or II II had the brandy
had restored 1t. lie ate ravsnously and
urged Dick 10 keep him company. They
smoked cigarettes over their coffee
and went back to taa fireplace.
quite q coxy nook out here, Dick. =
said his shost. what do you think Of
the placer" Without waiting for
reply he added. Il guess your have
to allow me one after-diRner sip.'
He drank the brandy at . gllp, and
called Frieda for more water.
ibid you know her. DlckT" he asked.
indicating the girl as she went out
After good look. yes. She seems
to have felt the beneticent aid al
money. Bob. II II had tina same effect
on M all l might be less opposed TO II.
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
like her funny little braids and her
crude ways. Sometimes feel like
asking her to dress up the way she
was over thera. but suppose she
couldn't do 1t. Once we kick away the
props, the scene Ia gone and we can't
call II back, except I'm mind. That
chain OF thoughts been hitting me
hard lately"
He walked ovsr and put his hands
on hin friends shoulders.
I'm fact. Dick" he continued. III
yon want TO know Il. wish to God
was hack In Staten Island. Back In
that sitting laboratory In Bowling
Green. Back anywhere where there
are men and something 10 do
He turned away and paced the noor,
"Yes," he cried, In strained. piteoua
tones. Il must have work. Work.
Work and sleep, or shall so tasanei
lie reeled and pointed 10 the ocean.
tor. -.-.".g @s
"Thst's held me MP, Dicki Up or
down, whichever you call IL. But i;
can't 60 onl ! want a change, a mans
lifa." Then. a. thought CT the days
disaster dashed across hla 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 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 II 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
I'll stick II out. Sit down, Dick.
want to know about you. I heard you
bought the bungalow. Are you still
over theref"
Young Meade yielded 20 the pathetic
entreaty and went back 10 bis chair.
"Yes." he answered, an he resumed
his seat, "sttll there"
He saw his worst fears were tusts
lied. Bob had reaped the full guerdon
OF his mistake. But In the depth Of his
disgrace he rebelled against acknowi
edgment OF II. The sore was toe
acute and he reeoiied from direct at
tack as O 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 q 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
q little lonesome for her. though. I
went across the pond last spring and
was gone most Of the summer. But I
had q man 10 keep up the garden and
bought hack some of the chickens
you sold to Collins. There are q few
of them pecking around now and once
In q while they lay an egg or two. We
have quite q time Of 1t, mother and /.
and l guess we are both reeonciled.
The place is all paid for, too. Bob"
"Greatl You must have prospered
/ wish I was back there with you.
Maybe you'd take a boardsr now.
What would you say II asked you
tor"
What, with this mansion and all
this junk7 I'd think you were laugh
ing at me-"
Laughing" he echoed. why, I
don't know what a real laugh means l"
He came around to the table.
"I'm going to take just one more
drink. Dick. Then I'm going to ask
yea something" He drained the glass
and looking down:
What brought you around tonight
II wasn't just TO be soctabia, or you'd
have come before. What was IT."