Evening star., 1935-05-12
CHAPTER XIII.

every intention of walking as
fast as his legs would carry him
the two miles that separated
him from his waiting dinner. at
Oak and North Fifth streets. He was
late already. Jane would have right
to be sore.
He came to the lane that dipped
abruptly down to the River road
Almost involuntarily his feet turned
into it. He was a coward, a cur. a
contemplate ass. But he had not. he
could not find the courage to go back
and face Jane.
He knew, nevertheless, that sooner
or later he must go back. 1t was
impossible, being what he was, just
to walk out of her life and never see
her again, as he desperately longed
to do.
Well, this was his last day in uni
form, the last hours he had left tc
feel himself a man and not just a
husband. Wasn't he entitled to Speno
these hours to suit himself? The
NorthrupS, mere and pere, were GER
tain to put in an appearance that
evening. :,
If he had to listen another half
hour to more of Mr.. Northrup's Slob-
ber there sure would be murder done
God! How he would enjoy squeezing
that fat purple throat, grinding MS
hob-nailed heel on that blotched over
fed face!
James ate his welcome home"
dinner out of a can beside a camp
fire. 1t consisted of stew, baked pota-
toes, coffee and raw corn whisky
His host was an extremely dirty
but engaging member of the 1. w. w.
who had been thrown off the Kansas
City local a few miles north OF
Leavenworth. James saw the camp
fire from the road, made for it and
was invited to dinner.
He stayed until after 10, arguing
the merits and dement's of the capt.
talistic system. He had a glorious
time. So did his host. BY the time
James had drunk his full share OF
the quart bottle he had pledged him.
self solemnly to a war of extermlna-
ton of the capitalistic class.
Shooting was too good for them
He'd begin in the morning. And he
knew Just who he'd begin with. But
first he had a little matter to settle
which could net be put off any longer
If his friend. his dear friend Bill
would look him up in the morn
ing"
James heaved himself unsteadily tc
his legs. wrung the hand of his new
found comrade and started north
ward The first mile or two he sang
he danced, he capered. Afraid OF
Jane? Afraid of the Northrups? He
laughed long and loud. He hadn't
been afraid of the Germans, had he:
He hadn't been afraid to tackle
nest of machine guns? Well. yes, he
had. He had been damned afraid
He'd even been sick at his stomach.
But he'd kept on going, hadn't he?
Just as he'd keep on going now until
he'd had it out with Mrs. James
StimSon and told her a thing or two
that needed telling. One thing was
that her paunchy nitwitted old bore
Of a father should never step foot
over their threshold. The damned old
capitalist! His friend Bill was right
BY the time James came to Com
mercial street his head was a little
clearer. He was not so anxious now
to face Jane and have it out with
her Jane had nasty way of getting
under his hide and putting him in
the wrong, no matter how virtuous his
motives.
1t would be like her now to say
that he was drunk. He had never
been so sober in his life. Let her say
what she liked: he wouldn't listen.
After she had finished he would have
his turn He kept doggedly on
When he came to the house at Oak
and Fifth streets he saw that the
lights were on. Crossing the lawn
cautiously James peeked under a
blind. Jane and her father were in
the back parlor. Mr.. Northrup was
asleep in his chair. Jane was sitting
bolt upright with red spot on either
cheek She looked as if she had been
crying.
But he'd bet his Sam Browne belt
against the chances of the Germans
at the Peace Conference that Jane
wouldn't do any crying when she saw
him. She'd be too busy faying him
alive. James pulled his cap down over
one eye at a jaunty angle, Strengthened
his tie and marched manfully up the
front steps.
Step by step he felt his courage
oozing down his spine, down his legs,
out Of his tagging toes. But it was
too late now. They must have heard
him. He gulped and opened the front
door.
Jane stood in the archway between
the hall and the front parlor. James
closed the door behind him and took
off his cap. One glance at James
angry contemptuous face. at her
tightly compressed lips and James
eyes fell.
Mr.. Northrup stirred in the next
room. James looked this way and
that, anywhere but at Jane. He found
himself glaring at the inoffensive
tables and chairs, glaring at the walls.
There was large photograph of
Jane on the mantel. 1t seemed to
James that those pictured eyes were
looking down at him and Sneering
as Jane was now sneering.
Those eyes said to him that he was
a coward and a failure. They knew
that he could talk big to drunken
tramp, could talk big to himself. But
talk was cheap.
Where have you been?" Jane spat
at him.
Nowhere Just walking around"
Il don't believe you. Why, you've
been drinking. You're drunk. You
loathsome, disgusting beast! On your
first night . after two years
you leave me here, frantic with
anxiety, and 60 off and get drunk!
You dare to come home drunk"
She beat her hands together fran
tically. Mr.. Northrup appeared behind
her blinking sleepily. His hair was
rumpled, his tie askew. When he
caught sight of James he was sud-
denly fully awake.
"You," he said, you contempt
far