Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-12-11
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Billings mopped his forehead. My.
but II was hot In that hole!" be ex.
claimed And that reminds me
have you seen the governor this morn
ing? No? Well. talk ebout hot!
George, but the Old man was hot un.
der the collar when / 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 knew"
"Do-do you think sof" 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 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
a word to Francls-I suppose you'll
understand"
Understand? Oh. yes. understood!
"And he said he wanted to see you.
Isis he here?" 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 frump's father! Much /
cared! But knowing how interested
he was in her, tried to show an in
terest.
Colonel Francts-er - isn't hts
daughter named after him?" And J
felt myself grow jolly red, for 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 II know" said Billings
carelessly. Il don't know what her
name is-dont remember that | ever
heard" He whistled. Say, but did
you ever see anything as stunningly
pretty in your life?"
| baked BY Jove, 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 girI
cut out for you, old chap-take my
tip. | think she likes you, too
could see it just now when was
talking about you"
So that was it, / reflected gloomily
The trump now was to be worked on
on me, and | was expected to stand
for it. was to be 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, l tell you it would be hard or
Francis-a regular knockout. By
George!"
Devilish brutal for him to say SO.
thought
DO you think so?" questioned
dismally. Would Frances reall!
carer"
"Oh, yes" he said lightly. "sooI
get over it, though-puppy love. yol
know"
Puppy love, indeed! BY Jove. nov
hated Billings!
He went on: Suppose you neve
heard anything of the professor an,
the pajamas?"
had not, and l was devilish sici
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 h
got to be great pals. So much obliged
old chap, because he wanted to 6
running around, you know"
Your brother?" l questioned, aston
ished, and guess my face must haV
showed 1t,
; Didn't he stay with your" he snaI
ped.
: stared blankly. why, Billings
| didn't know didn't remember 70
had a brother. never have see
him"
Billings face swelled redder, and h
struck his fist down with an oath. n
looked angrily toward the house. The
he stepped hurriedly in advance ,
me.
Excuse me, old chap, will you
;, he said, his voice hardened. wi
see you at luncheon-make yourse
: at home, won't your"
= CHAPTER Xxx.
:, Under the PergoIa.
). Make myself at home! | sneakc