Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-08-09
cHAPrER x-fcontJnv.d1

CHAPTER x.-fcontInusd.)
He. he!" he giggled. Woke up
and remembered had promised F1os-
sic Fandango Of The Partisan Broil-
ors' q box of steamer flowers. Cad.
she sails at ten; 70 l piled out and
shot on q note to my florist, special
delivery. Been trying to find but
from that Internal card back there
when's the first collection from the
box below. You don't know. do your"
BY Jove, one Of those f~oot-in-the-
grave old stage-door Johnnies! The
surprise took my breath.
why. the cheesy old SPORT" I
thought disgustedly. And ] answered
rather coldly: Sorry, you know: no
idea" And / opened the door wide.
But the old rascal eve moved;
Just stood there, chuckltng horribly.
We'll, she'll be back in the fall"
he cackled. "And see here. old chap.
viii introduce you II you like. You
need waking up!"
And here I gave a Jump and yelled
OUGHT"
For the old fool had dug his thumb
into my ribs. Only then did 1t 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
twaddlo the rest of the night. !
reached for his hand and shook 1t.
Wen have q talk about It some
time" said pleasantly, "Just now.
don't you think we'd better each get
70 bsdf so devilish late. you know"
He slapped me ON the shoulder with
: biow that almost brought me to the
dOof. Felt Ike he struck me with .
ham, don't you knowt
fright old chap" he said: very
delicately put: won't keep you up an
other minute. Believe ia like Z drink
nrst, though, II you don't mind"
Dovilish bored a. ! was, / decided
the easiest escape vas to humor him.
"All right" ! said. leaving the door
open and stepping into the room; "Ill
get you = glass Of water"
'sWaterl" he exclaimed. following
mo In. .say, don't get funny: It's not
becoming to you." He leered ct me
hideously.
He went right to the corner where
stood my cellarette. BY Jove. give
you my word I was 10 devilish stupe-
ned / couldn't bring out . word. l
wasn't sure what al coming, and 40
/ didn't want Billings' rest disturbed,
I quietly closed the door Of his
The old cock In the black pajamas
had uncorked . bottle and was smell
ing lts contents. He grimaced over
his shoulder.
That's Internally rotten Scotch, l
sayl. he exclaimed with . sort OF
snort. Regular sell. by Georgel"
I was glad Billings didn't hear him.
for It had been . present from him
only the week before.
.suppose III have to 90 the rye"
he grumbled: and. grinning at me
familiarly, he poured himself . drink.
He tossed II on, neat. l reflected that
perhaps he would so quietly now.
Well" said. advancing. Il ex-
pect you're anxious to get to your
quarters, so I'll say good night" II
extended my hand. That ought to
fetch him.. I thought, III he's q gem
tleman. no matter how jolly corked he
may b."
IN my grasp his hand felt IKE al
small boxing glove, but when
glanced 1t It ! saw that It was not
unusual.
The old duck pumped my arm sol
and cast his eye to the cell
lng.
.Fa-are-we-s-M. old f-friendl" he
In : husky tremolo, defect
lug the corners oe his mouth and
wagging his bald pate. III I don't
ne Q again IN have the river
aragged!"
And then, instead Of going, dash me
K the old fool didn't mop down into
Billings favorite chair and reach for
billings' cigarettes that he had left
81 the taboureI
He waved his hand at me. "Oh. you
70 to bed, Lightnut," he said, pufing
with Iron nerve. "AIl the sleeps
,ut of me, dammit! I'll Just sit here
md read and smoke IL long - | like.
hen ri 80 In there and turn In.
|ofk or hia doddering head indicated
BtIlings' room.
BY love, 1 hardly knew what to do!
/ Wa regularly bowled Over. don't
know. Twas up against = crisis
hats what-ascr1sis
sok, ~, you mow- started
romole&yatlngs and Just then gasped
lRitk sroIiof q the welcome sight Of
5SSkinsy posokine round the door
lFo11o bohfnd my visitors hack His
I3 ~ = BIZ nps and - bscks
lAe1 - eaznsstly