Part 18 (2/2)
”I know. But such playing you never heard in all your life,” said Bowman, with disgust. ”And the racket! I wonder somebody doesn't complain to Judge Little or to the Town Council.”
”Not with Mr. Cross Moore holding a mortgage on the hotel,” said Janice, with more bitterness than she usually displayed.
”You're right there,” Bowman agreed gloomily.
”But what about Hopewell?”
”I believe they have given him something to drink. That Joe Bodley, the barkeeper, is up to any trick. If Hopewell keeps on he will utterly disgrace himself, and----”
Janice clung to his arm tightly, interrupting his words with a little cry of pity. ”And it will fairly break his wife's heart!” she said.
CHAPTER XIII
INTO THE LION'S DEN
Janice Day was growing up.
What really ages one in this life? Emotions.
Fear--sorrow--love--hate--sympathy--jealousy--all the primal pa.s.sions wear one out and make one old. This young girl of late had suffered from too much emotion.
Nelson Haley's trouble; her father's possible peril in Mexico; the many in whom she was interested being so affected by the sale of liquor in Polktown--all these things combined to make Janice feel a burden of responsibility that should not have rested upon the shoulders of so young a girl.
”Frank,” she whispered to Bowman, there in the front of the dusky store, ”Frank, what shall we do?”
”What can we do?” he asked quite blankly.
”He--he should be brought home.”
”My goodness!” Bowman stammered. ”Do you suppose Mrs. Drugg would go down there after him?”
”She mustn't,” Janice hastened to reply, with decision; ”but I will.”
”Not you, Janice!” Bowman exclaimed, recoiling at the thought.
”Do you suppose I'd let you tell Mrs. Drugg?” demanded the girl, fiercely, yet under her breath.
”He's her husband.”
”And I'm her friend.”
Bowman looked admiringly at the flushed face of the girl. ”You are fine, Janice,” he said. ”But you're too fine to go into that place down there and get Drugg out of it. If you think it is your duty to go for the man, I'll go with you. And I'll go in after him.”
”Oh, Mr. Bowman! If you would!”
”Oh, I will. I only wish we had your car. He may be unable to walk and then the neighbors will talk.”
”It's got beyond worrying about what the neighbors say,” said Janice wearily. ”Now, wait. I must go and excuse myself to Mrs. Drugg. She must not suspect. Maybe it isn't as bad as you think and we'll get Hopewell home all right.”
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