The Carlisle independent., 1915-02-18


 Iieious salad, ripe olives, caviar, white wine, and beside Dicks place bottle of beer. He smiled as he pushed 1t aside.
 Its a shame to discourage Frieda's thoughtfulness, he said. Beer would certainly go fine with this board" s
 Reynolds i'll fortune had not affect ed his appetite. or if 1t 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 cozy nook out here, Dick" said his host. What do you think of the place?" Without waiting for a reply he added. T 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 beneficent aid of money, Bob. If it had the same effect on us all l might be less opposed to it. Some people can stand prosperity and some can't"
 "Oh, l don't know" Reynolds coun- tered. T can't say that I see such i'm provement, even in her case. used to like her funny little braids and her crude ways. Sometimes I feel like asking her to dress up the way she was over there, but I 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.
 "ln fact, Dick" he continued, If you want to know it, I wish to God was back in Staten Island. Back in that stifling 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, T must have work. Work. Work and sleep, or l shall go insane!"
 He reeled and pointed to the decan- 1 ter.
 That's held me up, Dick! Up or down, whichever you call it. But it can't go on! l want 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 i hn ic al man, I guess"-he swept a pointing hand about the richly furnished room -"I 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, "I don't want the lec- ture-not yet just felt a little wobbly in the presence of real friend, but I'll 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 justi- fled. 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 shrtnks from his sur geons knife. Dick chose a subtler way.
 You wouldn't know the little shack, Bob." he continued. T put 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 I had man to keep up the garden and I 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 time of 1t, mother and I, and I guess we are both reconciled. The place is all paid for, too. Bob"
 Great! You must have prospered. wish I was back there with you. Maybe you'd take a boarder now. What would you say if I asked you to?"
 What, with this mansion and all this junk? I'd think you were laugh ing at me-"
 Laughing" he echoed. Why, l 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? It wasn't just to be sociable, or you'd have come before. What was it?"
 Suppose the answer involved lee ture?" Dick asked. He smiled encour- agingly, however, and added briskly: But 1t doesn't. Bob. To tell you the truth, l have heard that you've been