Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-03-05


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 1t. 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.
you want to know it, wish to God l
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 or
down. whichever you call it. But it
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. But |
guess the change is coming now, old
man, / guess"-he swept a pointing
hand about the richly furnished room
II 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, II 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. 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 justi.
fed. Bob had reaped the full guerdon
Of his mistake. But in the depth of his
disgrace he rebelled against acknowl-
edgment of 1t. 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
1t and had it 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. I
went across the pond last spring and
was gone most of the summer. But I
had a man to keep up the garden and
l 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 l.,
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 II l asked you
to-"
What. with this mansion and all
this junk? I'd think you were laugh
ing at me-"
Laughing" he echoed. why. I
don't know what a 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 sociable. or you'd
have come before. What was it,"
Suppose the answer involved a lee
ture?" Dick asked. He smiled encour-
agingly. however. and added briskly:
But it doesn't. Bob. To tell you the
truth, have heard that you've been
up against it and today. by accident. l
learned what. you've been up against"
Somebody's been telling you fairy
tales" Reynolds retorted with an air
of assurance. do l look like q pau
per-"
He was calm enough. but q student