The Forrest City times., 1912-09-20

professor positively.
 By love it looked to me like what we used to call a dung beetle,
 And then the two cranks went out in the sun with butterfly nets and Frances and l drifted out to our pa yilion overlooking the broad sweep of the Tappan Zee. As yet, her father had said nothing to me, but I knew that the blow might fall 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 thought under the circumstances was about the most considerate thing he could have done.
 Once during the evening, Billings. who had been talking with the pro lessor. turned to me. By the way. mcAy-these pajamas, you know what did you do with them this morn ing He and the professor whis- pefed again; then Billings turned back. Gray paper parcel-um-you know"
 Know: Dash t. of course I knew, but l-
 Why. have them now" came quietly from my companion. thanks 10 Mir. Lightnut. He gave them to ne this morning.
 Gave them to you" ga-ped Bil. hngs. He whispered to me: But the ruoies. you cuckoo-you didn't give her thosees
 Rubies? Dash it. I had to think hard to remember what had become or the rubies. But 1 got the idea.
 Why, the professor has those." reminded him. The red pajamas, you know-don't you remember?e I 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 seen them," I said care. lessly. for l wanted to talk to her. Oh, dash the rubies-wait till morn ing"
 Billings looked sourly at the pro- lessor and went 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 and absent-minded old chap. Might not return them for month. knew that
 "Oh. really, Frances?" the fr,Imn was saying. How exceedingly nice of you. dear The professor was oc- cupied for the moment with moth T hope l won't frighten you in them as you say your maid was frightened at you. II pajamas are unbecoming to you. why just imagine me in them,"
 By love, 1 was devilish glad 1 was not supposed to hear. for didn't want 10 be required to imagine it. But as for them being unbecoming to my darling-well. l knew she knew what I thought,
 Later. when the evening had shaded off and the ladies had left us. we sat in the smoking-room talking till late. l was astonished to find Foxy Grand pa dev1llsh entertaining and clever not bad sort at all. He seemed 10 have no recollection of me at all. and therefore no grudges 1 had made up my mind by this time I wasn't going 10 marry the trump, no matter what cane or what Billings wanted, and would tell him so in the morning. But whoever did marry her-and 1t looked like it was going to be the professor would have some sort of compensa- tten in Foxy Grandpa's entertaining stories Of Eastern scandal.
 Billings cub brother smoked fin q corner of the room by himself and drank innumerable slugs of whisky straight. Once l saw his father 20 over to him and seem to remonstrate, but without effect
 Billings wanted his father to try my special import of cigarettes, so | sent for Jenkins. who had arrived, to bring some down. And when he saw Foxy Grandpa calmly sitting there by me. pulling at straw. he almost lost his balance. But l shook my head with covert warning.
 Ever see me before-eh7" 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:
 No, sir; don't recall ever seeing you before. sir
 Of course. l knew he had not. bu, the cub got up with a sour laugh Then with murmured grur apology he withdrew. saying he had head ache and was going to bed. And. by love. what look he gave me from the door,
 CTo BE CoNTINUED1