Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-04-19

cd, SnlllnS. by JOFe! ohe 1iin9' ~
least, l put 1t all over old Billings!
"No!" he gasped, crouching over
and gripping my shoulder.
l grinned cheerfully.
He fell into a chair and just sat
there mounting at me and then at the
Jewels in his hand. Old boy looked
devilish silly. Really acted like he
had some sort of stroke-that sort OF
thing.
l laughed at him.
Don't you see?" I said, trying to
explain. wouldn't have known a
dashed thing about the buttons be-
ing rubies but for you. So lucky they
came to me so ] can get chance to
help out your collection. Awfully glad,
old chap"
He clenched the jewels, and looked
down.
"Dicky-" He coughed a little hus-
kily as he paused. "Dicky." His voice
was so low l could hardly hear him.
"Dicky, you're off your trolley, and
| I'm damned"
He raised his arm and dropped It,
well, never mind what" he fin
isbed with a lift of the shoulders.
"But 7 want to say something. It's
about what I offered you for those
stones. The price-the amount L
named-wasn't even decent gamble;
but 1t was all I could go, and oh, l
wanted one so badly, Dicky! And
now you've made me feel like dog.
And I can't take your gift, old chap,
anv more than | could afford to offer
YOU the real value of one of these
beautiful stones. Here" And he
passed them back to me.
~ know each of them to be worth
anywhere from forty to fifty thousand
dollars" he said quietly. They're the
kind the crowned heads scoop for
| Jewels of state"
nodded, and, getting up carelessly,
| strolled to window.
"Devilish lovely night" I said, polk
| ing my head out. And 1t was. Stars
overhead and all that sort OF thing,
| and lots of them below, tool could
hear them singing over on Broadway
"All right, old chap; then here they
20 into the street." / said. IF my
friend can't have 'em, then no jolly
crowned heads shall. That's hat!"
Billings started forward with a reg
ular scream.
waved him back. Don't come
any nearer, old chap" said, holding
my arm out of the window, "or, dash
me. I'll drop them instantly. Six sto-
ries, you know-stone tagging De-
low"
But, Dicky-"
"If you don't say you'll take 'em,
time l count three, I'll give EN- a
toss, by Jove! One!"
Here, Dicky! Don't be a"
"Two!" l counted. No bluff. you
know; l meant jolly well to do it.
Just one word-one second,
Dtcky!" he yelled. Let me OH with
one, then. Dicky! Dicky, old chap!
Be a good sportsman"
hesitated. Dash 1t, one hates to
take an advantage.
Billings stretched out his arm ap-
pealingly. do, old chap!" he plead
ed. Give me just one-one only"
His hand shook like a quivering
what's-its-name leaf.
l yielded reluctantly. "Oh, we'll,
then, call it off with one" said. And
with sigh I tossed him one of the
rubies and dropped the other in the
pocket Of my smoking-jacket. Billings
wiped his forehead, and then he
thanked me and wiped his eyes.
] 80 good of you to give in, old
| chap" he snufled. Never will forget
you for IT."
"Oh, I say, chuck it, you know" I
protested.
whole family will thank you," he
went on in his handkerchief. Prince.
| ly magnanim!ty and all that sort Of
thing-you'll just have to come up for
the week end with me this"
81 WILL" l reached forward eagerly
and insisted on shaking hands. BY
| Jove, what luck!
And Billings looked regularly over.
come. All he could do was just shake
his head and pump my arm. Why,
dash it, this seemed to affect him
more even than giving in about the
ruby. It was the first time had ever
| accepted his invitation, you know.
Tell you what, old chap" he said,
as soon as he could speak. Pm go
ing to tell you what to do with that
other stone. You save that for her"
"Her!" By Jove, I was 80 startled
lost the grip on my monocle. Bill
ings nodded emphatically.
Eyes, sir-for her; she'll be along
one of these days"
by Jove, you know!" was almost
dizzy with a sudden idea. fished
out the jewel and held 1t before my
glass, squirting doubtfully at 1t. ]
wondered If it was good enough for
"her."
II say, Billings" murmured
thoughtfully. Blondes or brunettes,
you know-which wear rubies?"
Both" He said 1t with a kind OF
jaw snap. They wear anything in
the jewel line they can freeze on to-"
But which"
1.-THE worst? Blondes, my boy
blondes, every time; especially those
going around in black" Billings spoke