Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-08-01
CHAPTER XXX.
UinJfrafioHs BY
RAY WALTERS
(cepynshL 1911. by BObbs-Meuiu Company
Thu Club.


with me under this roof, and wonder
ing also what I ought to do, or II
should do anything. came to the
conclusion finally that wouldn't say
anything for the present, for / had
about all the complications I could
carry.
Presently l went down to the living
room, where they were all assembled,
and my heart leaped as l thought 1
detected Frightening in Frances
face as I entered.
Billings was waving the trump away
with his fat hand. take 1t away" he
said. "I hate bugs"
But, Jacky," said the trump plead
tngly. II think it's phusiotus glori-
Usa."
Il don't care If it's a giraffe" said
Billings rudely.
But the professor was already
across the room to the rescue.
Hal not a gloriosa," he said ami.
matedly, as he sRoeped over the little
Sreenish thing in the frump's hand.
observe the shortened, prothorax
and mesothorax ano-"
And metathorax." chimed In the
trump, her head close to his.
Hence"
1T is phanaeus carnifex." said the
professor positively.
By Jove, 1t looked to me like what
We used to call a dung beetlel
And then the two--cranks went out
IN the sun with butterfly nets, and
Frances and I drifted out to our pa.
viiion overlooking the broad sweep OF
the Tappan Zee. AS yet her father
had said nothing to me, but I knew
that the blow might fall any moment.
Only the arrival Of the frump's father
mad so far saved me. And though I
mad gone right ahead violating his
jolly Injunction about Frances, l kept
q sort OF parole with him by avoiding
any discussion Of things that I knew
would have interested my darling the
most-thAt is, our love and our fu-
ture. Later we took a drive through
Sleepy Hollow and the Pocantico
Hills. But though we grew better and
better acquainted every minute, I
couldn't help feeling devilish disap-
pointed, for never once did she ever
call me "Dicky." wondered moodily
whether her brother had told her yet
OF his plans for me.
In the evening. the younger brother
showed up at dinner. but sulked, which
thought under the circumstances was
about the most considerate thing he
could have done.
once during the evening. Billings,
who had been talking with the pro
lessor. turned to me. by the way,
D1cky-those pajamas, you know
what did you do with them this morn
mgr He and the professor whis
pered again; then Billings turned
back. Gray paper parcel--um-you
know?"
Know? Dash 1t, of course I knew,
but l.
why, have them now" came
quietly from my companion, thanks
to Mr.. Lightnut. He gave them to
me this morning."
Gave them to you'll" gasped Bill
hngs. He whispered to me: But the
rubies, you cuckoo-you didn't give
her those2"
Rubies? Dash 1t, l had to think
hard to remember what had become
OF the rubies. But got the idea.
why, the professor has those" /
reminded him. 1.-The red pajamas. you
know-don't you remember" / drew
him aside,
Billings stared. But he says he
returned them" he exclaimed, cutting
an odd sidewise look at the professor,
who was talking to Frances and the
trump. Billings frowned.
Haven't seen them," said care
lessly, for l wanted to talk to her.
"oh, dash the rubies-wait till morn
dngl"
Billings looked sourly at the pro-
lessor and went of and sat alone. He
seemed put out about the old boy not
returning the garments. Never seemed
70 occur to him that the professor was
q devilish busy and absent-minded old
chap. Might not return them for a
month. knew that.
"oh, really, Francesr' the frump
was saying. How exceedingly nice of
you, dearl" The professor was oc-
cupted for the moment with moth.
Il hope won't brighten you In them
as you say your maid was frightened
at you. If pajamas are unbecoming
to You. why Just imagine me In thamI'..
10. 81