Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-09-27


and l could imagine from that what
his feelings must have been.
by George, Dioky," he burst out
again, "the way I've been shut up and
treated Just seems like some Internal
conspiracy. Good thing Jack Els
worth's dad had pull with the mayor
tell you all the whole rotten busi-
ness when l can talk about 1t quietly"
That's right! that's right" said
soothingly, wouldn't think about 1t at
all now, old chap!" No use remind
Ing him, you know, that he had shut
himself up. Besides, the wandering
of his mind to Jack Ellsworth and his
father showed me that even yet he
was not quite himself.
Billings mopped his forehead. MY,
but it was hot in that hole!" he ex-
claimed And that reminds me-
have you seen the governor this morn
ing? No? Well, talk about hot!
George, but the old man was hot un-
der the collar when l saw him just
now! And he looks like he had been
dropped from a shot tower! It's this
case he's working on, guess, or else
it's about Francis. He's found out
what l knew"
"Do-do you think so2" l questioned
nervously.
Pretty sure," said Billings care
lessly. Fact Is, he's already fixing
up to send Francis to some kind OF
reformatory-heard him making the
arrangements over the 'phone"-I was
glad he didn't look at me as he rat
tied on-"and, by the way, the gov
ernor told me to tell you not to say
word to Francis--I suppose you'll
understand"
Understand? oh, yes, understood!
And he said he wanted to see you
Isis he here2" stammered, pull
ing back.
Thank goodness, no. Gone to meet
Colonel Francis Kirkland-say. don't
say anything about it-wants to sur
prise his daughter, you know. On his
way to London via San Francisco
arrived at Washington a few days
ago"
Oh, the frumps father! Much 1
cared! But knowing how Interested
he was in her, tried to show an in
| terest
Colonel Francis-er - isn't his
| daughter named after him?" And
felt myself grow jolly red, for l re-
membered that she had told me that
about her friend as she sat on the
arm of the Morris chair and in the
black pajamas.
Hanged If | know" said Billings
carelessly. Il don't know what her
name is-don't remember that l ever
heard" He iwhistled Say. but did
you ever see anything as stunningly
pretty in your life?"
balked. By Jove, l had been do
ing some mild lying within the past
twenty-four hours, but this was ask
| ing too much. Dash me If just could
| go it, that's all. But he didn't seem
to notice,
He slapped me on the back. by
George, Dicky, there's just the girl
cut out for you, old chap-take my
tip. | think she likes you, too
could see 1t just now when | was
talking about you"
So that was it, / reflected gloomily
The trump now was to be worked of
on me, and | was expected to stand
for it. | was to be I, sort of what-you
call-it offering on the altar of friend
ship. That was the condition upon
which he was patching up things!
Billings laughed suddenly. But
oh, tell you 1t would be hard or
Francis--a regular knockout. by
George!"
Devilish brutal for him to say SO.
thought
DO you think so?" l questioned
dismally. Would Frances really
care?"
''Oh, yes," he said lightly "Soor
get over it, though-puppy love, yol
: know"
Puppy love, indeed! BY Jove, how
hated Billings!
He went on: Suppose You neve
heard anything of the professor ant
the pajamas?"
: had not, and / was devilish sicl
of pajamas, anyway.
And say, Dicky, | don't remembe
that ever thanked you properly, oil,
man, for putting up my kid brothe
the other night. He says you treate'
him like brick and that you and b
got to be great pals. So much obliged
: old chap, because he wanted to g
= running around. you know"
4 Your brother?" | questioned, astor
: ished, and guess my face must hav
t showed 1t,
i Didn't he stay with you?" he snaI
Q ped.
i stared blankly. why Billings
t didn't know didn't remember yo
had brother never have see
l him"
: Billings face sweileu redder. and h
1 struck his fist down with an OATH II
, looked angrily toward the house. The
e he stepped hurriedly In advance c
me.
Excuse me. old chap, will you?
. ba said hia voica ha fdanpd ''VUi