The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-17

sweet, patient life all alone, you Know
with no one in the world to care 1o1
him. Well, SIR" he stiffened dramat'
ically, leveling one finger at me- 40
you think that Francis would even
listen to him?''
Did I? Well, dash it, did I?
Rut T tried to humble something
polite.
"And then" he puffed as he re-
lighted his cigar, there's Jacks chaur.
feur, you know
"Eh. Jacks-what's that?" I gripped
the arms of my chair.
"Yes," he nodded, Jacks chaur'
feur. Oh, I was so disappointed at
the result of his effort!" The old
gentleman slipped back in his chair
with a sigh. Francis just swore at
him, you know!'
"By Jove!" 1 managed to get out
and yet, somehow, I was deV1llsn
pleased about it.
"You see?" And he spread out mis-
hands. Absolutely no sense OF ap'
probation, you observe; and it had
seemed such splendid chance! You
see they had been so 1ntimate-oh
are still, for that matter
I caught my breath. ''In-intimate!
I stammered. You don't mean Fran
ces and this chauffeur?"
"Oh. yes," carelessly, "Scoggins IS
all right; very superior young man
for his position-fond of Francis you
know, and I really think has great IN
fuence." He puffed complacently an
instant. "Fact is, they are always to-
gether when Francis is home"-pun
motoring, boating, or else OF some
where camping together"
"Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?" I looked at him aghast. "Oh'
come now, judge-really youl don't
mean that, do you-not camping to-
gether?''
7 spoke excitedly, but he just stared
at me with an expression Of blank sur
prise.
"Eh? Why, certainly, my dear boy
for weeks at a time-and why not!
His shift manifested some impatience.
"Pshaw, Lightnut," he growled, flick
ing his ash, whats the odds-why be
so particular? I don't mind!" He
jammed his hands into his trousers
pockets till it seemed he would go
through them. 81 tell you, I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
"Oh!" I uttered, seeing light.
So that was it! Well, in any case,
I knew now that 1 was q republican,
by Jove! Never di0 know before
what was and it was devilish re-
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind, then and there, would vote
next election-never had, you know;
few of our set ever did. Pugsley, for
one, held it to be doubtful form.
Bright, self-made young man." I
caught as 1 came back. By Jove, ne
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! "Such fine morals, you
know
ooh, dash it, yes!" And I think
this must have been when I broke the
corner out of filling.
THAT was why was so sorry he
failed with Francis,'' he continued re-
gretfully; "but you may succeed bet
ter-oh, don't know but what it will
do just as WE'LL"
"Thanks-er-awfully!" I muir
INJURED weakly.
"Oh, think so-oh, yes!" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-
signed to it-then went on thought
fully:
"And anyhow, if Francis finds you
are in deadly earnest, why it" His
voice dropped off musingly: well, 1
believe that would make it easier
oh, lots easier for Scoggins."
| blinked little with my free eye.
Wasn't sure, you know, but some
how it seemed to me a rum thing to
say-almost offensive, dash it! But
then, for that matter, everything was
rum of Iate-so that counted for moth
ing. Fact was, it just seemed to me
like there was something in the alr--
everybody seemed so queer--Well, jol-
ly muddled, 1 should call it! Idea
had been gradually coming to me tnat
was the only one who appeared to
have any clear understanding OF
things; and somehow the realization
Just made me devilish nervous-'~the
responsibility, don't you know!
And just then the judge looked sud-
denly at his watch, muttered some
thing. and hitched up to the table
strewn with papers. He bent over
these with a frown, coughed oddly,
glanced at me-and bent again with a
mutter. Of course, l saw he was an
moved over sudden consciousness OF
the break he had made, and was striV-
ing to cover his embarrassment.
And, by Jove, it seemed to me he
ought to feel embarrassed, for the
very lummest thing yet was this
crazv inflammation for this Internal