Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-07-05
CHAPTER x.-(continued.1

CHAPTER x.-(continued.)
He, he," he giggled. Woke up
and remembered had promised Flos-
sic Fandango of The Partisan Broil-
ers' box of steamer flowers. Cad,
she sails at ten; SO / piled out and
shot off note to my florist, special
delivery. Been trying to find out
from that Internal card back there
when's the first collection from the
box below. You don't know, do your"
By Jove. one of those foot-in-the-
grave old stage-door Johnnies! The
surprise took my breath.
why. the cheesy old sport!"
thought disgustedly. And I answered
rather coldly: Sorry. you know; no
idea" And l opened the door wide.
But the old rascal never moved;
Just stood there. chuckling horribly.
We'll. she'll be back in the fall"
he cackled. And see here, old chap.
will introduce you II you like. You
need waking up!"
And here l gave a jump and yelled
"Ouch,"
For the old fool had dug his thumb
into rny ribs. Only then did It dawn
that was 1t. and unless / got rid OF
rim the old bore would stand and
twaddle the rest of the night. 1
reached for his hand and shook 1t.
We'll have a talk about 1t some
time" I said pleasantly. Just now,
don't you think we'd better each get
% bed? So devilish late. you know"
He slapped me on the shoulder with
a blow that almost brought me to the
floor Felt like he struck me with a
ham. don't you know!
Right old chap" he said; very
delicately put; won't keep you up an
other minute. Believe I'd like a drink
first. though. If you don't mind"
Devilish bored as I was, l decided
the easiest escape was to humor him.
"All right" l said. leaving the door
open and stepping into the room; "Fll
get you glass of water"
"Water!" he exclaimed. following
me in. "Say. don't get funny; it's not
becoming to you" He leered at me
hideously.
He went right to the corner where
stood my cellarette. BY Jove. give
you my word 1 was SO devilish stupe-
.fied couldn't bring out a word.
wasn't sure what was coming, and as
I didn't want Billings rest disturbed.
quietly closed the door of his room.
The old cock in the black pa1amas
had uncorked bottle and was smell
ing its contents. He grimaced over
his shoulder.
That's Internally rotten Scotch.
say!" he exclaimed with a sort of
snort. Regular sell. by George!"
was glad Billings didn't hear him,
for 1t had been present from him
only the week before.
Suppose I'll have to go the rye"
he grumbled; and, grinning at me
familiarly. he poured himself a drink
He tossed It off, neat. reflected that
perhaps he would go quietly now.
WELL" I said. advancing. II ex-
pect you're anxious to get to your
quarters, SO I'll say good night" 1
extended my hand. That ought to
fetch him." thought. IF he's gen.
tleman, no matter how jolly corked he
may be-"
In my grasp his hand felt like a
small boxing glove, but when
glanced at It l saw that 1t was not
unusual.
The old duck pumped my arm sol
emnly and cast his eyes to the cell
ing.
.Fa-are-we-e-ll, old f-friend!" he
murmured In husky tremolo, defect
ing the corners of his mouth and
wagging his bald pate. "If l don't
see you again I'll have the river
dragged"
And then, instead of going, dash me
afkthe old fool didn't flop down into
/, Billings favorite chair and reach for
Billings cigarettes that he had left
on the tabouret.
He waved his hand at me. "Oh. you
go to bed, Lightnut," he said. putting
away with iron nerve. "All the sleeps
out of me, dammit! I'll Just sit here
and read and smoke as long as like,
then I'll go in there and turn in." A
Jerk of his doddering head indicated
Billing -"nm