Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-06-21
chAPrER x.-fcontInued.l

CHAPTER x.-(Contlnued.)
"He, he!" he giggled. Woke up
and remembered had promised F1os-
sic Fa1dango Of 'whe Partisan Broil-
ers' a box of steamer flowers. Cad,
she sells at ten; SO I piled out and
shot OF a note to my florist. special
delivery. Been trying to tlnd out
from that internal card back there
when's thu first collection from the
box below. You don't know, do your"
BY Joves M of those footin-the-
grave old stage-door Johnnies! The
surprise took my breath.
Why. the cheesy old sport!"
thought disgustedly. And l answered
rather coldly: SORRY, you know; no
idea" And I opened the door wide.
But the old rascal never moved;
just stood there, chuckling horribly.
We'll, she'll be back in the fall"
he cackled. "And see here, old chap,
will introduce you If you like. You
need waking up"
And here l gave a Jump and yelled
"Ouch!"
For the old fool had dug his thumb
into my ribs. Only then did it dawn
on me that he was drunk. OF course
that was 1t, and unless I got rid OF
him the old bore would stand and
twaddle the rest of the night. ]
reached for bis hand and shook 1t.
We'll have a talk about 1t some
time" I said pleasantly. Just now,
don't you think we'd better each get
to bed? So devilish late, you know
He slapped me on the shoulder with
q blow that almost brought me to the
floor. Felt like he struck me with q
ham, don't you know!
Fright old chap" he said; very
delicately put; won't keep you up an
other minute. Believe I'd like a drink
first, though, II you don't mind"
Devilish bored as I was, I decided
the easiest escape was to humor him
"AIl right" I said, leaving the door
open and stepping into the room; "Ill
get you a glass of water"
"Water!" he exclaimed, following
me In. Say. don't get funny: It's moi
becoming to you" He leered at me
hideously.
He went right to the corner where
stood my cellarette. BY Jove, give
you my word I was SO devilish stupe
fed / couldn't bring out a word.
wasn't sure what was coming. and az
! didn't want Billings rest disturbed
/ quietly closed the door Of his room
The old cock In the black pajamas
had uncorked a bottle and was smell
ing It's contents. He grimaced ovel
his shoulder.
That's internally rotten Scotch,
pay!" he exclaimed with a sort Of
snort. Regular sell, by George!"
was glad Billings didn't hear him
for it had been a present from him
only the week before.
Suppose I'll have to go the rye
he grumbled; and, grinning at me
Familiarity, he poured himself a drink
He tossed 1t of. neat. l reflected thai
perhaps he would go quietly now.
"Weh," / said, advancing. Il ex
pect you're anxious to get to youl
quarters, so I'll say good night"
extended my hand. That ought t.
fetch him." I thought, IF he's a gen
tleman. no matter how jolly corked hi
may be-"
In my grasp his hand felt like
small boxing glove, but when
glanced at it I saw that it was mo-
unusual.
The old duck pumped my arm sol
EMMY and cast his eyes to the cell
ang.
Farewell, old f-friend!" h
murmured in Q husky tremolo, defect
ing the n of his mouth ant
wagging his bald pate. "If / dom
see you again I'll have the rive
A~raggedi"
And then, instead of going, dash IA,
lf the old fool didn't flop down int
Billings favoxite chair and reach To-
Billings cigarettes that he had lef
on the tabouret.
He waved his hand at me. "Oh, yo'
70 to bed, Lightnut," he said, puhinl
away with iron nerve. "AlI the Sleep
out Of me, dammit! I'll just sit her
and read and smoke as long as like
then I'll 60 in there and turn in"
,srk OF nis ic.ss-inS head indicates
sasfHsnRa' rnnsn