Middletown transcript., 1917-01-27
CHAPTER Xlli-Continued.

"rve got something to tell you." she
said. Don't have a fit, and don't
laugh. If you Go, Tll-I'll jump out
IF the window. I've got place in q
store. I'm going to be straight. Pal
mer."
Good for yOu!"
He meant 1t. She was nice girl and
he was fond of her. The other was a
dogs life. And he was not unselfish
about 1t. She could not belong to him.
lie did not want her to belong to any
one else.
"One of the nurses in the hospital, a
Miss Page, has got me something to do
ut Linton & Hofburgs. l am going on
for the January white sale. Ii l make
good they will keep me-"
He had put her aside without a
Gualm; and now he met her announce
nent with approval. He meant to let
her alone. They would have a holiday
together, and then they would say
good-by. And she had not fooled him.
She still cared He was getting off
we'll, all things considered. She might
have raised row.
Good work. he said. You'll be
lot happier. But that isn't any reason
why we shouldn't be friends, is it?
Just friends; mean that. would like
10 feel that can stop in now and then
and say how do you do"
Il promised Miss Page"
"Never mind Miss Page"
The mention of Sidney'S name
brought up in his mind Christine as he
had left her that morning. He scowled.
Things were not going well at home.
There was something wrong with
Christine. She used to be q good
sport, but she had never been the same
since the day Of the wedding. He
thought her attitude toward him was
one of suspicion. 1t made him unc0m-
Portable. But any attempt on his part
10 fathom it only met with cold silence.
That had been her attitude that morn
ing.
''Fll tell you what We'll do he said.
I'VE won't go to any of the old places.
I've found a new rOadhouse in the
country that's respectable enough to
suit anybody. Wen 60 out to Schwit-
ter's and get some dinner. III prom
ise to get you back early. How's that!'
In the end she gave in. And on the
way out he lived up to. the letter OF
their agreement. The situation ex-
hilarated him: Grace with her new
mir of virtue, her new aloofness; his
comfortable car; Johnny Rosenfelds
discreet back and alert ears.
The adventure had all the thrill of Il
new conquest in 1t. He treated the
girl with Difference, did not insist when
she refused cigarette, felt glowingly
yirtuous and exultant at the same time.
When the car drew up before the
Schwitter place, he slipped tivedollar
bin into Johnny RoSenfcld'S not over
clean hand.
81 don't mind the ears" he said.
Just watch your tongue, lad" And
Johnny stalled his engine in sheer sur
prise.
There's just enough of the Jew in
me-" said Johnny, "to know how to talk
il lot and say nothing Mr.. Howe"
johnny Rosenfeld at eighteen had
developed a philosophy of four words.
1t took the place OF the Golden Rule,
the Ten Commandments, and the Cate
chism. 1t was: Mind your own bust
ness"
True to his promise, Palmer wakened
the sleeping boy before nine o'clock
Grace had eaten little and drunk moth
ing; but Howe was slightly stimulated
"Give her the once over" he told
Johnny, "and then go back and crawl
into the rugs again. I'll drive in."
Grace sat beside him. Their progress
was slow and rough over the country
roads, but when they reached the
state road Howe threw open the thrOt-
lie. He drove well. The liquor was
in his blood. He took chances and got
away with them, laughing at the girls
gasps Of dismay.
"Wait until l get beyond Simkins-
Vile" he said, "and I'll let her out.
You're going to travel tonight, honey"
The girl sat beside him with her
eyes fixed ahead. He had been drink
sng, and the warmth Of the liquor was
Ia his voice. She vas determined on
one thing. she was going to make
him live up to the letter of his prom
:se to 20 away at The house door; and
more and more she realized that it
would be difficult. His mood was recl1-
less. masterful. Instead Of laughing
When she drew back from proffered
caress, .e turned surly. Obstinate
lines that she remembered appeared
from his nostrils to the corners Of his
mouth. She was uneasy.
Finally she hit on a plan to make
him stop somewhere in her neighbor-
hood and let her get out of the car.
She would not come back after that.
There was another car going, toward
the city. Now it passed them, and as
often they passed it 1t became con-