Gilpin observer., 1912-06-13
CHAPTER v-(contlnued)

CHAPTER V-(contlnued).
All right" she said; and | thought
her eyes flashed little. Then l go
to a hotel-that's ALI"
"A hotel! Why. you can't do that
oh. / say!"
why can't II" She was downright
angry could see it; and how dis
tractingly lovely she was with that
lame in her cheeks!
But she was Just child-an inno-
cent little child; and how the deuce
could ever make her understand?
l stammered "Why-er-not in
New York, you know. They won't take
lady in at this time OF night They"
She snapped her fingers. "Oh.
say. Mr.. Lightnut, play easier on that
grille and lady pedal; cook up fresh
gag! / tell you. I've put all that be-
hind me. Say. wait till you've known
me little. and I'll bet a purse you
never call me a lady again! Lady!
Say. that's funny"
And 1t certainly seemed to strike
her sense of humor. She gave me a
sudden punch in the side that fairly
left me breathless, and her laughter
rang out birdlike. joyous. OF sud
den / felt devilish awkward and fool
ish
"Oh. please stop stringing me, Mr..
Lightnut-don't treat me like a kid.
| want to get acquainted" Then her
bright face sobered. Say. was that
on the level-that about your going
to leave me? See here, I'm not both
ering you. am l. Mr. Lightnut?"
''Bothering me-" calculated. Both
ering me? I should say mott"
think l must have said 1t heartily
and convincingly. don't you know. for
her lovely face looked pleased.
Because II am" she said earn
estly, I'll fade away into my own lit
tie room there" Her glance ranged
toward her door. IT'S sure some
swell. that ROOM
so jolly glad you like IT," said.
We'll, should say!" Then her
beautiful eyes looked at me full.
You know, l didn't expect this-I
mean having a room all to myself.
Never"
And then. while gasped. she went
on. sweetly and calmly:
would throw seventeen thousand f1ts
II went to a hotel. because She
laughed deliciously. We'll, l promised
him that II he would let me come
home by New York | would stay right
here with you and behave myself
Behave YOURSELF" | echoed indig-
nantly why. look here, do you mean
to say Jack Billings-your own broth
er, you know-thought you wouldn't
-er-do that at a hotel?"
Thought" Her laugh this time
was explosive. No. he never thought;
It; he knew I wouldn't! He knew |
would be tearing around all night with
the boys-that's what!'
And dash me, II she didn't throw
herself back with a kind Of swagger.
why. you-you wouldn't do such
thing" | uttered family.
Wouldn't II" She Strengthened sud
denly. and her lovely blue eyes mar
rowed at me. Say, Mr.. Lightnut, /
don't want you to get me sized UP
wrong. I'm none OF your little waxy
gardenias-not much! When I'm In
New York, it's the bright lights and
the Great White Way for mine-yes,
sir, every time!"
And she gave me blow on the
shoulder that was like a stroke from
a mans arm. II sent me down into
my chair.
IF you don't believe me-" she add
cd, her face shining with excitement,
-'just you ask Jack about last summer
when I came through-about that Joy
ride TO Coney with three Columbia fell
lows, and how we got pinched. Oh,
mamma. but didn't Jack swear at
mel"
I heard a noise by the door. Jen.
Rims stood there. his eyes sticking out
like hard boiled eggs.
"I-I'm back. SIR" he said rather
falteringly. Beg pardon. sir: just
thought you'd want to know. l didn't
know you-h'm!" And with an odd
look and a little cough Jenkins slipped
away. But I scarcely noticed him at
all
Poor misguided girl!
MY brain was buzzing like devil
ish hive Of bees. don't you know. BY
Jove, this was something awful
And yet-and yet Her frank. sweet
face met mine with clear light that
there was no mistaking. There was
no going behind it-she was . thor