The Raymer enterprise., 1912-09-05
CHAPTER xvIII-(contlnued)


DR.. Temple stared after him. but
the gambler stared at DR.. Temple
with homage. so you're one Of us." !"
he said. and selling the old mans
limp hand. shook 1t heartily: II got
to slip It to you. Your makeup 10
great. You nearly had me for come
on. Great!"
And then he sauntered out, leaving
the clergyman's head swimming. DR..
Temple turned to Mallory for explana.
tons. but Mallory only waved him
away. He was not quite convinced
himself. He was convinced only that
whatever else anybody might be. no.
body apparently desired to be clergy.
man In these degenerate days.
The conductor returned and threw
into DR.. Temple the glare Of two basil.
isk eyes. The old man put out be-
seeching hand and began:
MY good man. you do me a grave
injustice"
The conductor snapped back: You
say a word to me and I'll do you worse
than that. And II spot you with a
pack Of cards in your hand again. III
tie you to the cow.ketcher."
Then he marched of again. The
doctor fell back into a chair. trying to
figure 1t out. Then Ashton and Fos.
dick and little Jimmie Wellington and
Wedgewood strolled in and. dropping
into chairs. ordered drinks. Before
the doctor could ask anybody to ex,
plain. Ashton was launched on a story.
His mind was a suitcase full OF anec.
dotes. mostly Of the smoking.room
order.
Wherever three or four men are
gathered together. they rapidly organ
!Ie clearing.h house OF off.color stories
The doctor listened in spite Of him
self, and In spite o! himself he was
amused. for stories that would be
stupid II they were decent. take on a
certain verve and thrill from theil
very lorblduenness.
The dear old clergyman felt that 4,
would be priggish to take fight, bu,
he could not make the corners OF his
mouth behave. Strange twitchings ol
the lips and little steamy escapes oi
giggle.jets disturbed him. And When
Ashton. who was a practiced racon
teur. finished a drolatic adventure
with the epilogue. And the mex,
morning they were at Niagara Falls.
the old doctor was helpless with laugh
ter Some superior force, the devi
no doubt. fairly shook him with glee
"Oh. that's bully" he shrieked. "l
haven't heard story like that fol
ages"
"Why, where have you been. DR.
Temple!" asked Ashton. who coult
not imagine where a man could have
concealed himself from such stories
but he laughed loudest OF all wher
the doctor answered: "You see. liv.
In Ypsilant. They don't tell m,
stories like that"
"They-who7" said Fosdick.
why. my pa-my patients" the
doctor explained, and laughed so hard
that he forgot to feel guilty. laughed
80 hard that his wife In the next room
heard him and giggled to Mrs. Whit
comb
Listen to dear Walter. He hasn't
laughed like that since he was IA
medical student" Then she buried
her face guiltily In a book.
Wasn't II good?" DR.. Temple de-
manded, wiping his streaming eyes
and nudging the solemn'iaced English
man, who understood his own nations
humor. but had not yet learned the
Yankee quirks. .....a
wedgewood made hollow effort n,
laughter and answered: Extremely
very droll. but what don't quite
get was-why the porter said" The
others drowned him In roar Of laugh.
ter. but Ashton was angry. why, you
blamed fool. that's where the joka
came IN Don't you see. the bride.