Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-11-18
above it. Now, wouldn't that doddlo

1t would, Mr.. Gillespie; but may
ask you to cut out this rot"
My dear Mr.. Donovan. it's indeli-
cate of you to speak of cutting any
thing-and me with my legs. But I'm
at your service. You have tended my
grievous wounds like a gentleman and
now do you wish me to unfold my
past present and future?"
Il want you to get out of this and
be quick about it. Your biography
doesn't amuse me; caught you
prowling dsgracefully about st. Aga
tha's. Two ladies are domiciled there
who came here to escape your annoy
ing attentions. Those ladies were put
in my charge by an old friend, and
don't propose to stand any nonsense
from you, Mr. Gillespie. You seem
to be at least half sane"
Reginald Gillespie raised himself on
the couch and grinned joyously.
THANK you--thank you for that
word! That's just twice as high as
anybody ever rated me before"
II was trying to be generous"
said. There's point at which be-
gin to be bored, and when that's
reached I'm likely TO grow quarrel
some. Are there any moments of the
| day or night when you are less fool
than others?"
We'll, Donovan, I've often srecu-
lated about that, and my conclusion
is that my mind is at It's best when
I'm asleep and enjoying nightmare,
Then, have sometimes thought, my
intellectual PARTS are most intelligent
| ~ employed"
| Il may well believe you" declared
with asperity. Now ! here can
| pound it into you in some way that
your presence in this neighborhood is
offensive-to me-personally."
He stared at the ceiling, silent, i'm
perturbable.
And I'm going to give you safe con-
duct through the li1es--or if ncces-
sary I'll buy your ticket and start you
Tor New York And IL there's an atom
of honor in you, you'll go FeaceaRy
and not publish the fact that YOU
know the whereabouts of these la
dec"
| He reflected gravely for moment.
Il think" he said, that on thu
whole that's a fair proposition. But
you seem TO have the impression that
| wish to annoy these ladieF."
"You don't for moment imagine
that you are likely to entertain them,
do you? You haven't got the idea
that you are necessary to their happi.
ness, have you"
He raised himself on his elbow with
some difficulty; finched as he tried ia
make himself comfortable and began:
THE trouble with Miss Pat is"
There is no trouble with Miss Pat
snapped.
"The trouble between Miss Pat and
me is the same old trouble of the
buttons" he remarked, dologously.
Buttons, you idiot?"
quite so. Buttons, just plain
everyday buttons; buttons for button
ing purposes"
The fellow was undoubtedly mad.
looked about for weapon; bat lie
went on gravely:
What does the name Gillespie
mean? OF what is it the sign and
symbol wherever man hides his
nakedness? Button, button, who'll
buy my buttons? 1t can't be possible
that you never heard of the Gillespie
buttons? Where have you lived, my
dear sir?"
will you please stop talking ro
and explain what you want here?"
demanded, with growing heat.
THAT, my dear sir, is exactly wha
I'm doing. I'm sutton for the hant
of Miss PatriCia's niece. Miss Patriots
scorns me; she says I'm mere child
of the Fhilistine rich and declines al
alliance without thanks, if you mus
know the truth And it's all on ac
count of the fact, shameful enou III,
admit, that my father dieI and left m,
n large AMI prosperous button fac
tory"
why dent you give tbr inferno
thing away--sell it out to a t~ust--"
"Ah! ah!"-and he raised himself
again and o.nted bandaged hand a,
; penetration! You have a keen notion
of business! You anticipate ne!
did sell the internal thing to trust
, but there was no shaking it! They
made me president of the combiaa
ton, and control more buttons thar
any other living man! My dear sir.
dictate the button prices OF the world
, can tell you to nicely how many
buttons are swallowed annually By
the babies of the universe. But
hope, sir, that use my power wisely
and without oppre sing the people"
CTO BE CoNTINUED)