Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-05-29
CHAPTER x.-fcontinusd.l

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 l answered
rather coldly: Sorry, you know; no
idea" And I 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.
viii introduce you IF you like. You
need waking up"
And here l gave Jump and yelled
OUGHT"
For the old fool had dug his thumb
into my ribs. Only then did it dawn
on me that he was drunk. OF course
that was it, and unless 1 got rid of
him the old bore would stand and
twaddIe the rest Of the night. L
reached for his hand and shook it.
Wen have a talk about it some
7 Dla CT
don't you think we'd better each get
TO bed? So devilish late, you know
He slapped me on the shoulder with
a bow 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
delicateIy put; won't keep you up an
other minute. Believe I'd like drink
first, though, if you don't mind"
Devilish bored as l was, l decided
the easiest escape was to humor him.
"All right" I said, leaving the door
open and stepping into the room; "Pll
get you a glass of water"
'Water!" he exclaimed, following
me in. Say don't get funny; it's not
becoming to you" He Ieered at me
hideously
He went right to the corner where
stood my ceIIarette. By Jove, give
you my wcrd | was so devilish stupe-
fed | couldn't bring out a word. |
wasn't sure what was coming, and DIS
I didn't want Billings rest disturbed,
/ quietly closed the door of his room,
The old cock in the black pajamas
had Uncorked a bottle and was smell
ing it's contents. He grimaced over
his shoulder.
That's Internally rotten Scotch,
say!" he exclaimed with sort OF
snort Regular sell, by George!"
was glad Billings didn't hear him,
for it had been a present from him
only the week before.
Suppose I'll have to go the rye, "
he grumbled; and, grinning at me
Familiarity, he poured himself drink.
He tossed it off, neat. reflected that
perhaps he would go quietly now.
Well" l said, advancing. Il ex-
pect you're anxious to get to your
quarters. so I'll say good night"
extended my hand. That ought to
fetch him." l thought, IF he's a 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 it was not
unusual
The old duck pumped my arm sol
EMMY 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 | don't
see you again I'll have the river
dragged"
And then, instead of going. dash ME
e the old fool didn't flop down into
Billings fayorite chair and reach for
Billings cigarettes that &c had left
on the tabouret.
He waved his hand at me. 'Oh, you
go to bed, Lightnut," he said, putting
away with iron nerve. "An the Sleeps
out of me, dammit I'll just SIT here
and read and smoke as long as l like,
then III go in there and turn in" A
Jerk of his doddering head indicated
Billings room.