Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-07-17

chair, leaning forward, with shining
eyes, you can't possibly know what
this means just at this timeI Why, IL
you hadn't offered to speak to Fran
els, it's not likely that any one elss
ever would"
'Judge!" 1 calculated, shocked.
Who would want to-" And ne
| grimaced horribly
"Oh, l say now!" l protested warm
! ly.
My boy, I tell you l know-you
DON'T" He lifted his hand eloquentIy,
DETECTING the corners of his mouth
oh, such way! mo, stree, 1 tell you
| there's not another living man would
! dare chance it," He threw himself
backward, putting his cheeks at me
and walling his eyes rrightfully. In
fact, Observation-Disclosures Francis is
known, there have been two men
only just two-who ever had the te-
merity to do It,"
Obi" l commented. Wondered If
one of these was the other chap she
was engaged to.
He proceeded impressiveIy: "One
of these, my dear SIR, was our rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man, now nearly eighty-three and par
TALLY paralyZed and deaf; lives a
sweet, patient life all alone, you know,
with no one in the world to care for
him. Well, sir" he stiffened dramat-
ically, leveling one finger at me, do
you think that Francis would even
listen to him."
Did 1? Well, dash it, did I?
But tried to humble something
polite.
And then" he pulled as he re-
lighted his cigar, there's Jacks chaut,
feur, you know"
''Eh, Jack's-whats that?" | gripped
the arms of my chair
Yes" he nodded, Jacks chauf,
feur. Oh, | was SO disappointed at
the result of his effort" The old
gentleman slipped back in his chair
with a sigh. Francis just swore at
him, you know"
BY Joye!" l managed to get out
and yet, somehow, [ was deyilish
pleased about it,
You see?" And he spread out his
hands. Absolutely no sense Of ap-
probation, you observe; and it had
seemed such a splendid chancel You
see they had been SO intimate-oh,
are still, for that matter"
l caught my breath. "In-intimate!
I stammered. You don't mean Fran
ces and this chauffeur"
"Oh, yes" carelessIy, "Scoggins is
all right; very superior young man
for his position-fond Of Francis, you
know, and I really think has great in
fuence." He pulled complacentIy an
instant. Fact is, they are always to-
gether when Francis is home"-putf
motoring, boating, or else off some
where camping together"
"Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?" I looked at him aghast. oh,
come now, judge-really you don't
mean that. do you-not camping to-
gether?"
1 spoke excitedly, out he just stared
at me with an expression of blank sur
prise
Eth? Why, certainly, my dear boy
for weeks at a time-and why not?" !
His shift manifested some Impotence.
"Pshaw, Lightnut," he growled, flick
ing his ash, what's the odds-why be
so particular? don't mind" He
damned his hands into his trousers
pockets till 1t seemed he would go
through them Il tell you, I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
OH" l uttered, seeing a light.
So that was it, Well, in any case,
| knew now that | was a republican,
by Jove! Never did know before
what l was and it was a devilish re-
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind, then and there, | would vote
next election-never had, you know;
few of our set ever did Pugsley, for
one, held it to be doubtful form
Bright, self-made young man."
caught as l came back By Jove, he
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! Such fine morals you
know"
"Oh, dash it. yes!" And | think
this must have been when l broke the
corner out of a filling.
That was why | was so sorry he
failed with Francis" he continued re-
gretfulIy; but you may succeed bet
ter-oh, l don't know but what it will
do just as WE'LL"
"Thanks-er-a wfuIly!" muir
INJURED weakly.
"Oh, think so-oh. yes!" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-
signed to it-then went on thought
fully:
And anyhow, if Francis finds you
are in deadly earnest, why tt" His
voice dropped of musingly: Well,
believe that would make 1t easier
oh, lots easier for Scoggins."
/ bltnked little with my free eye
CTo BE Continued
Damage by Lightning.