Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-08-09

chair. leaning forward, with shining
eyes, you can't possibly know what
this mean just at this time! Why, II
you hadn't offered to speak to Fran
els. it's not likely that any one else
ever would"
"Judge!" I calculated, shocked.
who would want to-" And ae
grimaced horribly.
"Oh, l say now!" l protested warm
ly.
my boy, l tell you I know-you
don't!" He lifted his hand eloquently
DETECTING the corners of his mouth
oh, such a way! mo. stree, l tell you
there's not another living man would
dare chance it," He threw himself
backward, putting his cheeks at me
and walling his eyes rrightfully. I'm
fact, Observation-Disclosures Francis is
known, there have been two men
only just two-who ever had the te-
merity to do It,"
OA' L SOLlhlChLCu. OuuC GU ~
one Of these was the other chap she
was engaged to.
He proceeded impressively: lone
Of these, my dear SIR, was our rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man, now nearly eighty-three and par.
TALLY p~aralyzed and deaf; lives q
sweet, patient life all alone, you know
with no one in the world to care for
him. Well, sir" he stiffened drarat.
ically, leveling one finger at me, do
you think that Francis would ever
listen to him."
Did I? Well, dash 1t, did I?
But l tried to humble something
polite.
And then" he pulled as he 70
lighted his cigar, there's Jacks chauf.
feur, you know"
"Eh, Jack's-what's that?" | gripped
the arms Of my chair.
YES" he nodded, Jacks chauf-
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!" | managed to get out
and yet, somehow, l was devilish
pleased about 1t.
You see?" And he spread out his
hands. Absolutely no sense of ap-
probation, you observe; and 1t had
seemed such a splendid chance! You
see they had been SO intimate-oh.
are still, for that matter"
caught my breath. "In-intimate!"
stammered. You don't mean Fran.
ces and this chauffeur"
"Oh, yes" c~arelessly, "Scoggins is
all right; very superior young man
for his position-fond OF Francis, you
know, and | really think has great in.
%fluence." He pulled complacently an
instant. Fact is, they are always to.
gether when Francis is home"-puf
motoring, boating, or else off some.
where camping together"
"Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?' l looked at him aghast. "Oh,
come now, judge-really you don't
mean that, do you-not camping to
gether?"
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, what's the odds-why bs
so particular? l don't mind" Hs
jammed his hands into his trousers
pockets till 1t seemed he would &c
through them. 81 tell you. I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
"Oh!" | uttered, seeing a light.
So that was 1t! Well, in any case
| knew now that l was a republican,
by Jove! Never did know before
what | was and 1t was a devilish re
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind, then and there, l would vote
next election-never had, you know;
few of our set ever did. Pugsley, fol
one, held 1t to be doubtful form.
Bright, self.made young man." ]
caught as | came back. BY Jove, he
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! Such fine morals, you
know"
"Oh, dash 1t, yes!" And | think
this must have been when l broke thu
corner out of a filing.
That vas why l was so sorry ht
failed with Francis" he continued re
gretfully; but you may succeed bet
ter-oh, don't know but what it viii
do Just as WE'LL"
"Thanks-er-awfully!" muir
INJURED weakly.
"Oh, l think so-oh, yes!" He bodied
his head as though he were quite 70
signed to &--then went on thought
fully:
And anyhow, II Francis finds yor
are in deadly earnest, why It" Hill
voice dropped off musingly: We'll,
believe that would make it easier
oh, los easier for Scoggins."
l bT1nked a little with my free eye
CTo BE CoNTINUED)