Gilpin observer., 1912-08-29

els, It's not likely that any one else
ever would"
"Judge!" / calculated, shocked
Who would want to?" And ne
grimaced horribly.
"Oh, say now!" protested warm
ly.
My boy, | tell you / know-you
dont!" He lifted his hand eloquentIy,
DETECTING the corners of his mouth
oh, such a way! mo, stree, 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. "In
fact, ereabouts-where Francis is
only just two-who ever had the te-
merity to do it."
"Oh!" l commented. Wondered If
one of these was the other chap she
was engaged to-
He proceeded impressively: "One
of these. my dear sir, was our rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man, now nearly eighty-three and par
TALLY paralyzed and deaf; lives a
sweet, patient life all alone. you know,
with no one in the world to care for
him. Well, SIR" he stiffened dramat-
ically, leveling one finger at me, do
you think that Francis would even
listen to him?"
Did 1? Well, dash it, did L?
But l tried to humble something
polite.
And then" he pufred as he re-
lighted his cigar, there's Jacks chauf
feur, you know"
"Eh, Jack's-what's that?" l gripped
the arms OF my chair.
Yes he nodded, Jacks chauf-
feur. oh, 1 was SO disappointed at
the result of his EFFORT" The old
gentleman slipped back in his chair
with sigh. Francis just swore at
him, you know"
BY Jove!" l managed to get out
and yet, somehow. l was devilish
pleased about It,
You see?" And he spread out his
hands. Absolutely no sense of ap-
probation. you observe; and it 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" carelessly, "Scoggins is
all right; very superior young man
for his position-fond OF Francis, you
know, and ] really think has great in
tuence." He puffed 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?" | looked at him aghast "Oh,
come now. judge-really you don't
mean that. do you-not camping to-
gether?"
| spoke excitedly. out he just stared
at me with an expression OF blank sur
prise.
'Eh? Why, certainly, my dear boy
for weeks at time-and why not?"
His shift manifested some impatience.
"Pshaw. Lightnut," he growled, flick
ing his ash. what's the odds-why be
so particular? don't mind" He
jammed his hands into his trousers
pockets till 1t seemed he would go
through them. Il tell you, I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
OH" | uttered. seeing a light.
So that was it! Well, in any case.
knew now that | was a republican,
by Jove, Never did know before
what | was and II 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 1t to be doubtful form.
Bright, self-made young man." |
caught as l 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 | broke the
corner out of a 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 II will
do Just as WELL"
"Thanks-er-awfu mur.
mured weakly.
"oh. | think so-oh, yesl" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-
signed to it-then went on thought,
fully:
And anyhow. II Francis finds you
are In deadly earnest, why 1t" His
voice dropped off musingly: We'll,
believe that would make It easier-
oh, lots easier for Scoggins."
| blinked little with my free eye.
(To BE coNTINUED)