The Cairo bulletin., 1912-03-09


kind the crowned heads scoop for
jewels of state"
nodded. and, getting up carelessly.
I strolled to window
"Deviiish lovely night" | said. polk
| ing my head out And II was. stars
overhead and all that sort of thing.
and lots Of them below, tool could
hear them singing over on Broadway.
| IAN right, old chap; then here they
| 70 into the street." | said. IF my
friend can't have 'em. then no jolly
crowned heads shall. That's fiat."
Billings started forward with reg
ular scream.
waved him Back. Don't come
| any .earer. old chap" | said. holding
my arm out of the window, "or. dash
me, III drop them instantly. Six sto-
ries, you know-stone tagging be.
low"
But. Dicky--"
III you don't say you'll take EN-.
time I count three. I'll give EN- a
toss, by Joye! One!"
Here, Dicky! Don't be a."
two" counted. No BLUM, you
know; meant jolly we'll to do IT,
Just one word--one second.
Dicky!" he yelled. Let me OF with
one, then. Dicky! Dicky, old chapl
10 good sportsman"
I hesitated Dash It. one hates to
take an advantage.
Billings stretched out his arm ap-
pealingly. do, old chap" he plead.
ed. Give me just one-one only!"
His hand shook like Quivering
what s-its-name leaf.
yielded reluctantly. "Oh, well,
then, cali II OF with one" l said. And
with ! tossed him one OF the
rubies al dropped the other in the
pocket OF my smoking-jacket. Billings
wiped his forehead, and then be
thanked me and wiped his eyes.
so good Of you to give in. old
chap" he snutiled. Never will forget
you for it,"
oh. say. chuck 1t, you know!" |
protested.
Whole family will thank you," he
went on in his handkerchief. Prince
ly magnanimity and all that sort OF
thing-you'll just have to come up for
the week end with me this"
II whit" reached forward eagerly
and insisted on shaking hands. BY
Joye, what luck!
And Billings looked regularly over
, come. All he could do was just shake
his head and pump my arm. Why,
dash 1t. this seemed to affect him
more even than giving in about the
ruby. 1t was the first time / had ever
accepted his invitation, you know.
Tell you what. old chap he said,
as soon as he could speak I'm go
ing to tell you what to do with that
other stone. You save that for her
"Her!" By Joye, was so startled
lost the grip on my monocle. Bill
lngs nodded emphatically.
Yes, sir--for her; she'll be along
one OF these days"
by Jove, You know!" / was almost
dizzy with a sudden Idea. I fshed
out the jewel and held II before my
glass. squirting doubtulIy at 1t. l
wondered II 1t was good enough for
her"
Il say, Biilings," murmured
thoughtfully. Blondes or brunettes.
you know--which wear rubiesf"
Both" He said it with kind Of
jaw snap. They wear anything in
the jewel line they can freeze on to"
but which"
The worst? Blondes, my boy
blondes, every time; especially those
going around In black" Billings spoke
sloomily. Let me tell you, my boy
and kr1pw--don't you ever have any
thing to do with blonde IL she's in
black. especially black siik--hear?"
BY Jova, his uplifted finger and
fierce way of saying 1t gave me reg
ular turn, you know. But then there
was the ruby, and / was thinking
that
Perhaps the four OF them In q
bracelet" muttered, with something
|. else to help out. They might do"
They might" said Billings In q
tone Of coarse sarcasm. They might
do for queen!"
flashed quick look at him. Just
what l was thinking" I answered
gently.
Meantime" said Billings, yawniug.
lets 60 to bed"
| And just as | rang for Jenkins
suddenly was seized with a perfectly
ripping idea that checked long
yawn right In the middle and almost
broke my jaw. For saw how could
do something handsome that would
even up with Billings in a way for
the ruby he wouldn't take.
Tell you what old chap" I said.
Shaping him on the shoulder, you
are going to have them tonight"
"Haye--have whatT burst from
him. "Rubies? tell you I won't
take another"
"Rubies!" calculated contemptu-
ously. "Rubies nothing! Something
better something worth while, dash
tit"
saw he would never guess It.
"Why, you shall sleep in the pa
jamas from China | exclaimed. And
gathering them, / placed them In his
banda,
/ "r,v naoron r,clyv,o ptltfnVa' faro