Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-11-29

ludL the DlOW might ldll any moment.
Only the arrival OF the frump's father
had SO far saved me
In the evening, the younger brother
showed up at dinner, but sulked. which
l thought under the circumstances was
about the most considerable thing he
could have done.
Once during the evening, Billings.
who had been talking with the pro
~fessor, turned to me. by the way.
Dicky-those pajamas. you know
what did you do with them this morn
ing?" He and the professor whis.
pered again; then Billings turned
back. Gray paper parcel-um-you
know"
Know? Dash it. OF course | knew.
but L
Why, l have them now" came
quietly from my companion. thanks
to Mr.. Lightnut. He gave them to
me this morning."
Gave them to you!" gasped Bill
lings. He whispered to me: "But the
rubies, you cuckoo-you didn't give
her those?"
Rubies? Dash it, | had to think
hard to remember what had become
Of the rubies. But | got the idea.
Why, the professor has those" l
reminded him. The red pajamas, you
know-don't you remember" drew
him aside.
Billings stared. But he says he
returned Them" he exclaimed, cutting
an odd sidewise look at the professor,
who was talking to Frances and the
trump. Billings frowned.
Haven't seer them" | said care.
lessly, for ! wanted to ak to her.
"Oh, dash the rubies-wait till morn.
ing!"
Billings looked sourly at the pro-
fessor and ent off and sat alone. He
seemed put out about the old boy not
returning the garments. Never seemed
to occur to him that the professor was
a devilish busy INC absent-minded old
chap. Might not return them for a
month. | knew that.
"Oh. really, F%rances?" the trump
was saying, How exceedingly nice OF
you, dear!" The professor was oc-
cupied for the moment with a moth.
Il hope l won't brighten you in them
as you say your maid was frightened
at you. If pajamas are u~nbecoming
to you, why just imagine me in them!"
BY Jove. 1 was devilish glad | was
not supposed to hear, for | didn't want
to be required to imagine it. But as
for them being unbecoming to my
darling-well, l knew she knew what
l thought!
Later, when the evening had shaded
off and the ladies' had left us, we sat
in the s~moking-room talking till late.
I was ~astonished to find Foxy Grand
pa devilish entertaining and clever
not a bad sort at all. He seemed to
have nc recollection of me at all, and
therefore no grudges. l had made up
my mind by this time l wasn't going
to marry the trump, no matter what
came or what Billings wanted, and l
would tell hin so in the morning But
whoever did marry her-and it looked
like it was going to be the professor
would have some sort Of compensa-
ton in Foxy Grandpa's entertaining
stories of Eastern scandal.
Billings cub brother smoked in a
corner of the room by himself and
drank innumerable slugs of whisky
straight. Once l saw his father go
over to him and seem to demonstrate.
but without effect.
Billings wanted his father to try my
special import of cigarettes, so l sent
for Jenkins, who had arrived, to bring
some down. And when he saw Foxy
Grandpa calmly sitting there by me.
pulling at a straw, he almost lost his
balance. But l shook my head with
covert warning.
Ever see me before-eh?" asked
the cub harshly. as he waved aside
the cigarettes jenkins extended: Last
Wednesday night-remember?"
Yes, SIR" replied Jenkins. hesitat-
ingly. Then he rolled an eye at me
and corrected himself hastily but firm.
ly:
mo, sir; l don't recall ever seeing
you before, sir"
OF course. ! knew be lac not. but
the cub got up with a sour laugh.
Then with a murmured gruff apology.
he withdrew. saying he had a head
ache and was going to bed. And. by
Jove, what a look he gave me from
the door!
(TO BE CONTINUED.)