Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-02-15

'1'm Going to Be Straight, Palmer"
their meeting was over, he was visibly
happier. But Grace continued to stand
cycling him sOmberly.
I've got something to tell you" she
said. Don't have a fit, and don't
laugh. If you do, Ill-~Tll jump out
of the window. I've got a place In a
store. I'm going to be straight, Pal
mer"
Good for you p
He meant it. She was a nice girl and
he was fond of her. The other was a
dogs life. And he was not unselfsh
about it. She could not belong to him.
He 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
at Linton & Hofburg's. | am going on
for the January white sale. II make
good they will keep me-
He had put her aside without a
qualm; and now he met her announce
ment with approval. He meant to let
her alone. They would have a hcNday
together, and then they would say
gOOd-by. And she had not fooled him.
She still cared. He was getting off
well, all things considered. She might
have raised q row.
Good work! '' he said. you'll be a
lot happier. But that isn't any reason
why we shouldn't be friends. is it?
Just friends; I mean that would like
to feel that | can stop in now and then
an. say how do you do"
81 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 a 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 uncom-
Portable. But any attempt on his part
to fathOm it only met with cold silence,
That had been her attitude that morn
ing.
I'll tell you what Wen TO-" he said.
I'VE won't go to any of the Old places.
I've found new roadhouse in the
country that's respectable enough to
suit anybody. Well go out to Schwit-
ter's and get some dinner. I'll prom
Use 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
air Of virtue, her new aloofness; his
comfortable car; Johnny Rosenfeld's
discreet back and alert ears.
The adventure had all the thrill Of
new conquest in it. He treated the
girl with Difference, did not insist when
she refused a cigarette, felt glowingly
virtuouS and exultant at the same time
When the car drew up before the
Schwitter place, he slipped fve-dollar
bill into Johnny Rosenfeld's not over
clean hand.
Il 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
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 so 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-
tie. He drove well The liquor was
in his blood. Re took chances and got