Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-07-19

you wanted to forget about the Other
night. and knew you wanted me to
forget, too"
"Oh. please" She shrank back,
her beautiful eyes like those OF a
frightened deer. But 1t was the last
car, and / blocked the aisle. l didn't
realize at the time that l was doing
1t. 1t came to me afterward, and was
one Of the things l 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 a lot of beady-eyed
cats, and SO drew nearer and low
cred my voice SO none could hear.
For l had another feeling Of inspira-
ton as to what really was the matter
with her!
why. Frances-sweetheart 1
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
ner to hear above the train, 81 know
you are put out with me because you
found me gone the next morning, but
honestly. dear. I acted for the best
indeed. did" And to be on the safe
SIDE. l profited by another inspira-
ton: And. my darling girl. I'll never
mention the pa1amas 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
thing bowled down the aisle and
brushed me aside. It was the trump.
Come on. Frances!" she exclaimed
sharply; "our station" Next instant
they were streaking It for the door,
with me a good second. l saw Fran
ces look behind once with-oh. such
look! Dashed II It didn't shriveI
me, you know-that sort. And, by
Jove. l knew Pugsley was right, and
that had failed to put the. ball over,
was not six feet behind as they
scrambled through the station to the
other side where a large car stood
painting. saw Frances clutch the
frump's arm and whisper something,
and heard the frump's reply. for her
voice was loud and strongly mascu-
line.
"Crazy?" she rasped. Nonsense!
Drunk. more likely. Most of them are
half the time"
/ didn't have time to see what she
referred to. for just then we reached
the side OF the car. didn't see a
thing OF Billings. but the chauffeur
jumped to the ground and received
the ladies and their bags. He seemed
to me devilish familiar, too. BY Jove,
the way he held my darlipg's hand
was the most Internally audacious
outrageous thing ever beheId, /
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. was Just
standing there, leaning a little for
ward with my cane. you know, and
fixing my monocle reproachfully on
Frances-trying to get her eye.
And then. by Jove. | felt a blow on
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
ats-its-name cat. And with the grin
young fool who had been SO devilish
familiar at the pier the morning
Frances left.
Then he banged me again. dash it,
and tried to get my hand. but put
1t 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 at the
trump, who was making signs with
her eyes, frowning and beckoning him
with her green fiower-pot He left
me. murmuring something. and step
ped to the running-board. I could see
the fiower-pot bobbing about ener-
getically and twice Frances nodded.
1t seemed to me reluctantly.
"Crazy-drunk? Pshaw. you're bat
ty!" he said to the trump rudely.
Then l heard another murmur and
his harsh voice rose again. Yes
Lightnut. tell you-Dicky Lightnut.
Yes-Jack Billings great friend. You
Just wait till he's back from the city.
and II he don't get upon his hind
Eh, what? His name is Smith? Rats!
All this time I was Just standing
there. trying to catch Frances eye.
felt sure If could catch her eye
she would see how devilish sorry 1
was. I moved back a few feet, for.
dash 1t, without sign from her, l
had no idea now, of course, OF con-
sidering myself as one of the party.
Not finding Billings with the car, and
the information 1 caught that he was
still in the city, Just left me high
and dry. you know.
"AIl right, Miss Smarty," the vel
low-topped chauffeur rasped. address
ing the trump. I'll Just show you'll"
He turned about and Jerked his