The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-09-06

"
you wanted TO forget about the other
night. and I knew you wanted me to
forget. too"
"Oh, please" She shrank back.
her beautiful eyes like those OF a
frightened deer. hut II was the last
car, and | blocked the aisle. | didn't
realize at the time that | was doing
Il. II came TO me afterward, and was
n OF the things | kicked myself
! about for hours. more or less. Just
at the moment | was SO dashed wild
about setting myself right with her.
The only other thing | had presence
Of mind to remember was the near
ness about us OF n lot or beady. eyed
cats. n so | drew nearer and low
cred my voice 81 none could hear.
For | had another feeling OF inspira.
ton as to what really was the matter
with her.
Why, Frances-sweetheart.' |
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
her to hear above the train. Il know
you are put out with me because you
found me gone the next morning. hut
honestly. dear. ! acted for the best
indeed. | did" And to be on the safe
side. | protited by another inspira.
ton: And. my darling girl. III never
mention the pajamas and the other
night-never any more-as long as we
live. nor the cigarettes nor cigars nor
whisky. Why. | don't care II you"
"Tarrytown-all out for Tarry.
town." came in a high tenor voice
from the end of the car, and some
thinS bowled down the aisle and
brushed me aside. II was the trump.
Come on. Frances!" she exclaimed
sharply; 'our station" Mex. instant
they were streaking 1t for the door,
with me n good second. ! saw Fran.
ces look behind once with-oh. such
a look. Dashed IL il didn't shriyel
me, you know-that sort. And, by
Jove. ! knew Pugsley was right. and
that ] had failed TO put the ball over!
| was not six feet behind as they
scrambled through the station 10 the
other side where q large car stood
painting. | saw Frances clutch the
frump's arm and whisper something.
m | heard the frump's reply, for her
voice was loud and strongly mascu.
line.
Crazy" she rasped. Nonsense.
Drunk, more likely. Most OF them arc
half the time"
! didn't have time to see what she
referred TO. for just then We reached
me III or the car. | didn't see a
thing of Billings. but the chauffeur
jumped TO the ground and received
the ladies and their bags. lie seemed
10 me devilish familiar. too. by Joye,
the way he held my darling's hand
a the most Internally audacious.
outrageous thing | ever beheld. |
should have liked to punch his head.
He helped them into the tonneau and
was so busy with his silly jackass
chatter that he closed the door before
he turned and saw me. I was lust
standing there. leaning a little for
ward with ms cane. you know. and
fixing my monocle reproachfully on
Frances-trying to get her eye.
And then, by Jove. | felt a blow or
my shoulder that almost bowled me
over. for | had my legs crossed, you
know.
We'll. I'll be hang-it's Dicky.
And he was grinning at me like a
what s-its-name cat. And with the grin
| recognized him. II was the fresh
young fool who had been SO devilish
familiar at the pier the morning
Frances left.
Then he banged me again. dash t..
and tried TO get my hand. but | put
it behind me. But he did get my
arm, and he turned toward the car.
His voice dropped.
See here, | want you TO meet
Eh?" He broke of, staring nj the
trump, who was making signs with
her eyes. frowning and reckoning him
with her green iiower.pot. lie left
me, murmuring something. and step
ped TO the running.board I could see
the nower-pot bobbing about ener.
getically and twice Frances nodded.
1t seemed 10 me reluctantly.
"Crazy-drunk? Pshaw, you're bat,
ty!" he said to the trump rudely.
Then I heard another murmur and
his harsh voice rose again. Yes
L%ightnut. I tell you-Dicky Lightnut.
Yes-Jack Billings great friend. You
just wait till he's back from the city,
and II be don't get upon his hind
Eth, what? His name Is Smith? Rats"
All this time I was just standing
there, trying to catch Frances eye.
| felt sure II ] could catch her eye
she would see how devilish sorry 1
was. | moved back a few feet, for,
dash II, without a sign from her, I
had no idea now, OF course, OF con-
sidering myself as one OF the party.
Not finding Billings with the car, and
the information I caught that he was
still In the city, just left me high
and dry, you know.
"All right, Miss Smarty." the yell
low-topped chauffeur rasped. address
ing the Tramp. III just show you!"
He turned about and jerkeA his
head.
"Oh, Dicky! Here. just a mihste.
old chap-wfM your