The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-10

last years overcoat and save his
nickel car fares by walking,
merely because he's got a wo-
man at home who's got to be sup
| ported"
Clell turned grimly to me.
| Doctor Dick, I'm going. I
have failed. I"-his voice broke
whats the use of us fooling
each other? Maryland II"
She caught his arm appealing
ly "Clell, you won't let me help
and marry me?"
you don't want to give up
your apartments and good clothes
and theatres and cabs--all the
things you buy with your own
money, and I couldn't buy you
with mine. That's it! You're
the most selfish, coolest person l
ever knew-you refuse to make a
home for a man--when you love
hint"
II am offering to make home,
Clell!" she answered simply. "I'm
fighting for my home-for my
children-fighting better than
the old sort of women did. The
children we refuse to bring into
the world in dirt and poverty and
disease-that's what we mean
we new women! That is the
greatest love of all-the wisest,
biggest, best. That is what we
mean-we women!"
She had laid a ring upon the
table. But Clell was going, ig-
noring her and the ring entirely;
and then he stopped, facing me.
Doctor Dick, that foolish in
vestment of mine, of my sisters
money-I-I-thank you. She
he pointed his thumb back at
Mary-"said you got it and it's
In the courts hands. God bless
you, Doctor Dick!"
BLESS you. boy!" | retorted
with my fatal facility for blund-
ering. 81 never raised that con-
founded money-when Mary told
me yesterday, | was flat strapped.
Then along came Williams and
we held him up, seeing it was
matter of moments before court
| closed"
And at that moment-while |
stared into the silence that fell
between us all, not knowing what
| had done-the bell rang. An
other minute and Virgil Williams
came in.
"You took it from Williams,
Doctor Dick" retorted Clell.
My attempt at nonchalance was
the baldest taste: Now, my dear
chap" l began; but Clell had
leaped back before Mary.
"The man from Texas!" he
cried. II might have known.
That's a part of 1t. Every year
sometimes twice a year-he
turns up here-and you"
BE STILL" said the Texan;
"You!"
Clell swept around on him. 81
owe you two thousand dollars"
You owe-to Doctor Rainey-
two thousand dollars" put in
Mary, and her voice came from
far cold spaces of impersonality.
mol" Clell answered. yes
terday-my honor-so it was
called-was endangered because
l couldn't account for two thou
sand dollars in my little sisters
property settlement. But you
you dared call upon this man for
help about It,"
Virgil looked at him with a
sudden dangerous alertness. But
Clell was speaking to Mary.
"You wanted to break the en-
| gagement-you wanted to, |
know"
She merely shrugged. Then
we were all still for a time. Clell
broke it, turning again to the
other man.
Damn you-your meddling-
your coming here. But that's all
observation-disclosures you
two thousand dollars"
"All right" The other mans
soft drawl had the caress of the
south wind before the hurricane
month: "You--personally-owe
me two thousand dollars"
"Pll give you a note" poor
Clell plundered on, and Virgil let
the ghost of a smile to his lips.
Mote l don't want a note.
Down where | come from mans
word Is a mans word. Down
where | come from you'd learn a
good deal of men. Yes, sch
you'd learn a good deal IL you
could stand up under a mans size
game"
The remote scorn in that soft
voice was something you can not
suggest. But it found its way to
the city mans soul.
Il owe you two thousand dol
lars. Maybe you got a job where
man could pay that out?"
81 got"-drawled the other
"a mans size job--for a man."
II want it,"
Sch! With me?"
Yes"
The Texan took him cody.
Ninety dollars a month will
start you. And grub. l CANT
say just what you'll do. It's a
right lonesome camp way off up
In back"
He was at the door and then,
from the elevator in the hall,
turned: Maybe you'll make good,
Redfield. You have your chance. :"