But she just despises 'im more and more every
week. He'll never get 'er--no sirree! Why, she just _couldn't_ do
it! 'T ain't in 'er!
"Early this season he lent Tom five or six thousand, and Tom can't pay
it back, I know, business 'as been so bad. He's come on this time, I
daresay, to bulldoze 'em into 'is way of thinking. He's wonderful
persistent. Like as not he'll help Tom out some more afore he leaves,
just to draw the web closer. He'll stay a few days, 'anging around 'er
like a vulture, paying no attention to 'er rebukes, and then he'll go
off to return another day. He's wrecked Tom Braddock, just as a
stepping-stone. Some day he'll be through with Tom for good and all,
and you'll see what 'appens to Thomas."
Grinaldi's voice was hoarse with emotion; his brow was damp with
perspiration. Casey was the only one who ate; he ate sullenly.
"What beasts!" cried David, his fine nature in revolt.
"Brad 'as got to this point in 'is love for drink and cards," said
Joey. "He'll sacrifice anything for whiskey. He's got to have it.
We've all talked to 'im. No good. I--I don't like to say it, Dav--
Jacky, but he's slapped 'is wife more 'n once when she's tried to
plead with--"
David sprang to his feet, his face quivering with rage and horror.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133