The Nevada County picayune., 1912-09-20

ana could imagine from that what HIS ieehngs must have been.
 By George, Dieky," he burst out asaih, the way I've been shut up and treated just seems like some internal conspiracy. Good thing Jack Els worth dad had pull with the mayor tell you all the whole rotten busi- ness when can talk about 1t quietly"
 That's right! that's right" I said soothlngly, wouldn't think about it at all now, old chap," No use remind Ing him, you know, that he had shut hlmself up Besides, the wandering or hls mind to Jack Ellsworth and his fatner showed me that even yet he was not quite himself
 Billings mopped his forehead. My. but 1t was hot in that holel" he ex- claimed. And that reminds me nave you seen the governor this morn- ing? No? Well, talk about hot! George, but the old man was hot un- der the collar when I saw him just now. And he looks like he had been dropped from shot tower. It's this case he's working on, 1 guess. or else it's about Francis. He's found out what l knew"
 "Do-do you think SOP" I questioned neryously.
 Pretty sure" said Billings care lessiy. Fact is, he's already fixing up to send Francis to some kind of reformatory-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 word to Francis-I suppose you'll understand"
 Understand? Oh, yes, understood!
 And he said he wanted to see you"
 'Is-is he here?" l stammered, pull ing back.
 Thank goodness. no. Gone to meet Colonel Francis KirkIand-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 few days ago"
 Oh, the frump's father, Much |, cared, But knowing how interested he was In her, tried to show an in- terest.
 Colonel Francls-er = isn't his daughter named after him?" And i felt myself grow jolly red. for l re- membered that she had told me that l about her friend as she sat on the arm of the Morris chair and in the black pajamas.
 Hanged If l know" said Billings carelessly. Il don't know what her name is-don't remember that l ever heard" He whistled. Say, but did you ever see anything as stunningy | pretty in your life?' baked. By love, I had been do- ing some mild lying within the past twenty-four hours. but this was ask ing too much Dash me If 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 1t just now when l was talking about you.
 So that was 1t. reflected gloomily The trump now was to be worked oil on me, and l was expected to stand for 1t. 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 tell you 1t would be hard on Francis-a regular knockout hy l George."
 Devilish brutal for him to say so. thought.
 Do you think so?" questioned dismally. Would Frances really care?"
 "Oh. yes" he said lightly. Soon get over It. thou. .,h-puppy love. you know"
 Puppy love. indeed! By love, how I hated Billings
 He went on: Suppose you never heard anything of the professor ana the pajamas?'
 had not, and l was deYilish sick of paiamas, anyway.
 And say, D:cky. l don't remember that I ever thanked you property oiu man. for putting up my Kid oro'hei tho other night. He says you treated him like a brick and that you ana ne cot ,o be great pals. So much oblseu old chap. because he wanted 10 so running around. you know.
 Your brother?" I questioned, aston ished and guess my face must have showed 1t.
 "Dldn,t he stay with you?" he snap, ped. ,,,. p,ni,gs- didn't know-I didn't remember you had brother. never have seen him" . ,o