Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-08-23

this means Just at this time! Why, II
you hadn't offered to speak to Fran
els, It's not likely that any one else
ever would"
"Judge!" l calculated, shocked.
| who would want tor" And ne
| grimaced horribly.
"Oh. say nowl" protested warm
ly.
| my boy, l tell you l know-you
dontl" He lifted his hand eloQuentIy.
DETECTING the corners of his mouth
oh. such way! mo, stree. tell you
there's not another living man would
dare chance It'll" He threw himself
backward. putting his cheeks at me
and walling his eyes rrightfully. I'm
fact, observation-disclosures Francis is
known, there have been two mem
only Just two-who ever had the te-
merity to do IT."
"Oh!" l commented. Wondered II
one of these was the other chap she
was engaged to.
He proceeded impressively: "One
of these, my dear sir. was our rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man. now nearly eighty-three and par
l
sweet. patient life all alone, you know,
with no one in the world to care for
him. Well, SIR" he stifrened dramat-
ically. leveling one finger at me. do
you think that Francis would even
listen to him?"
Did /? Well, dash 1t, did L?
But ! tried to humble something
polite.
And then" he puffed as he re-
lighted his cigar. there's Jacks chauf-
feur. you know"
''Eh, Jack's-what's that?" gripped
the arms of my chair.
Yes" he nodded, Jacks chauf-
feur. Oh. was SO disappointed at
the result of his effort!" The old
gentleman slipped back in his chair
with sigh. "F'rancis Just swore at
him. you know!"
by Joye!" managed to get out
and yet. somehow. was devilish
! pleased about It,
You see?" And he spread out his
hands. Absolutely no sense of ap-
probation. you observe; and 1t had
seemed such splendid chance! You
see they had been SO intimate-oh.
are still. for that matter"
caught my breath. "In-intimate,
/ stammered. You don't mean Fran
ces and this chauffeur"
"Oh, yes" carelessly, "Scoggins is
all right; very superior young man
for his position-fond OF Francis, you
know, and ! really think has great in
fuence." He puffed complacently an
instant. Fact is, they are always to-
gether when Francis is home"-pur
motoring. boating. or else off some
where camping together"
; "Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?" looked at him aghast. "Oh.
come now. Judge-really you don't
mean that. do you-not camping to-
gether?"
spoke excitedly. out he just stared
at me with an expression of blank sur
prise.
"Eh? Why, certainly. my dear boy
for weeks at a time-and why not?"
His shift manifested some impatience.
"Pshaw, Lightnut," he growled. flick
ing his ash, whats the odds-why be
so particular? | don't mind!" He
jammed his hands into his trousers
pockets till 1t seemed he would go
through them. 81 tell you, I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
"Ohi" uttered, seeing a light.
So that was 1t, Well, in any case,
knew now that was a republican,
by Jove! Never did know before
what l was and 1t was devilish re-
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind. then and there, would vote
next election-never had. you know;
few of our set ever did. Pugsley. for
one, held 1t to be doubtful form.
Bright, self-made young man." /
caught as 1 came back. By Joye. he
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! 'Such fine morals, you
know"
"Oh. dash It, yes!" And 1 think
this must have been when l broke the
corner out of q filling.
That was why was SO sorry he
failed with Francis" he continued re-
ter-oh, l don't know but what 1t will
do Just as welli"
Enthusiastically muir
INJURED weakly.
"Oh. think so-oh. yes!" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-
signed to it-then went on thought,
fully:
And anyhow, II Francis finds you
are in deadly earnest, why it" His
voice dropped off musingly: We'll.
believe that would make It easier
OH lots easier for Scoggins."
blinked little with my free eye.