Gilpin observer., 1912-11-07
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bu FRANCIS PERRY ELLIOTT
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besides. there still fingered bit OF
headache from the Heidelberg punch
and l could imagine from that what
his feelings must have been.
by George. Dicky," he burst out
again, the way I've been shut up and
treated just seems like some Internal
conspiracy. Good thing Jack Ellis
worth's dad had pull with the mayor
tell you all the whole rotten busi-
ness when l can talk about 1t quietly"
That's right! that's right" said
soothingly. wouldn't think about 1t at
all now. old chap!" No use remind
ing him. you know. that he had shut
himself up. Besides. the wandering
Of his mind to Jack Ellsworth and his
father showed me that even yet he
was not quite himself.
Billings mopped his forehead. MY,
but 1t was hot in that hole!" he ex-
claimed. And that reminds me-
have you seen the governor this morn
ing? No? Well. talk about hot!
George. but the old man was hot un-
der the collar when l saw him Just
now! And he looks like he had been
dropped from a shot tower! It's this
case he's working on, guess, or else
it's about Francis. He's found out
what l knew"
"Do-do you think so?" questioned
nervously.
| Pretty sure" said Billings care
lessly. Fact is, he's already fixing
| up to send Francis to some kind OF
eformatory-heard him making the
arrangements over the 'phone"-I was
glad he didn't look at me as he rat
tied on-"and, by the way. the gov
ernor told ME to tell you not to say
a word to Francis-I suppose you'll
understand"
Understand? Oh, yes, 1 understood! !!
And he said he wanted to see you.
Isis he here?' stammered, pull
ing back.
Thank goodness, no. Gone to meet
Colonel Francis Kirkland-say. don't
say anything about it-wants to sur
prise his daughter. you know. On his
way to London via San Francisco
arrived at Washington a few days
ago."
Oh. the frump's father! Much
cared! But knowing how interested
he was in her. l tried to show an in
terest.
Colonel Francis-er isn't his
daughter named after him?" And
felt myself grow jolly red, for re-
membered that she had told me that
about her friend as she sat on the
arm of the Morris chair and in the
black pajamas.
Hanged If | know" said Billings
carelessly. Il don't know what her
name is-don't remember that ever
heard" He whistled. Say. but did
you ever see anything as stunningly
pretty in your life?"
baked. BY Jove, l had been do
ing some mild lying within the past
twenty-four hours, but this was ask
ing too much. Dash me II Just could
go it, that's all. But he didn't seem
to notice.
| He slapped me on the back. by
George. Dicky. there's just the girl
cut out for you. old chap-take my
tip. think she likes you. too
could see It Just now when l was
| talking about you.
So that was It, reflected gloomily.
The trump now was to be worked on
on me. and l was expected to stand
for 1t. l was to be h sort of what-you-
call-it offering on the altar OF friend.
ship. That was the condition upon
which he was patching up things!
Billings laughed suddenly. But,
| oh I tan he har
Francis-a regular knockout. BY
George!"
Devilish brutal for him to say SO. I
thought.
DO you think so1" l questioned
dismaIly. Would Frances really
caref"
"Oh, yes," he eaid lightly. soon
get over 1t. though-puppy love. you
know"
Puppy love. indeed! BY Jove. how
hated Billings!
He went on: Suppose you never
heard anything OF the professor and
the pa5amas?"
had not. and was devilish sich
OF pa1amas. anyway.
And say. Dicky, ! don't remember
that ! ever thanked you properly. olc
man. for putting up my kid brother
the other night. He says you treated
him like a brick and that you and he
got to be great pals. So much obliged
old chap. because he wanted to &c
running around. you know"
Your brother?" questioned. aston
ished. and l guess my face must have
showed It,
Didn't he stay with your" he snap
ped.
stared blankly. why. Billings
I didn't know-I didn't remember yor
had a brother. never have seer
him."
Billings face swelied redder. and b,
struck his fist down with an oath. III
| lo0kad anRrilY toward tha houaa Thar