Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-07-05

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you wanted to forget about the otner
night, and / knew you wanted me TO
forget, too"
"Oh, please" She shrank back,
her beautiful eyes like those OF a
frightened deer. But 1t was the last
car, and | blocked the aisle. didn't
realize at the time that | was doing
It. It came to me afterward, and was
n of the things | kicked myself
about for hours, more or less. Just
at the moment | was so dashed WIG
about setting myself right with her.
The only other thing | had presence
OF mind to remember was the near.
ness about us OF a lot OF beady-eyed
cats, and SO | drew nearer and low
cred my voice so none could hear.
For / had another feeling OF inspira-
ton as to what really was the matter
with her!
Why, Frances-sweetheart," i
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
her to hear above the train, Il know
you are put out with me because you
found mi gone the next morning, but
honestly, dear, | acted for the best
indeed, l did" And to be on the safe
side, | profited by another inspira'
ton: "And, my darling girl, I'll never
mention the pajamas and the other
~n1ght-never any more-as long as We
live, nor the cigarettes nor cigars nor
whisky. Why, don't care II YOU"
"Tarrytown-all out for Tarry-
town." came In a high tenor voice
from the end of the car, and some
thing bowled down the aisle and
brushed me aside. 1t was the trump.
Come on, Frances!" she exclaimed
sharply; "our station" Next instant
they were %streaking 1t for the door,
with me a good second. | saw Fran
ces look behind once with-oh, such
a look! Dashed If 1t didn't shrivel
me, you know-that sort. And, by
Jove, I knew Pugsley was right, and
that I had failed to put the ball over!
| was not six feet behind as they
scrambled through the station to the
other side where a large car stood
painting. | saw Frances clutch the
frump's arm and whisper something,
and l heard the frump's reply, for her
voice was loud and strongly mascu-
line.
Crazy" she rasped. Nonsense!
t Drunk, more likely. Most OF them are
+ half the time"
didn't have time to see what she
referred to, for just then We reached
s the side Of the car. didn't see a
g thing Of Billings, but the chauffeur
q jumped to the ground and received
the ladies and their bags. He seemed
to me devilish familiar, too. By Jove,
the way he held my darling's hand
was the most Internally audacious
outrageous thing l ever beheld!
should have liked to punch his head
He helped them into the tonneau and
was so busy with his silly jackass
] chatter that he closed the door before
| he turned and saw me. | was JUS
standing there, leaning a little for
\ ward with my cane, you know, an(
| fixing my monocle re%proachfully OF
! Frances-trying to get her eye.
I And then, by Jove, l felt a blow o.
my shoulder that almost bowled m
\ over, for I had my legs crossed, yo'
know.
\ We'll, I'll be hang-it's Dicky!
And he was grinning at me like
II what's-its-name cat. And with the gri
| recognized him. 1t was the fires
X young fool who had been so DEVILS
n familiar at the pier the mornin
Frances left.
Then he banged me again, dash |
and tried to get my hand, but l pl
1t behind me. But he did get m
arm, and he turned toward the ca
His voice dropped.
y See here, l want you to meet
Eh?" He broke off, staring at II
~ trump, who was making signs vii
her eyes, frowning and reckoning hi
with her green flower-pot. He lie
me, murmuring something, and ste
ped to the running-board. | could s.
the nower-pot bobbing about enc
getically and twice Frances nodde
it seemed to me reluctantly.
"Crazy-drunk? Pshaw, you're b'
ty!" he said to the trump rude
Then heard another murmur a.
his harsh voice rose again. Yes
Lightnut. l tell ~you-Dicky Lightn'
Yes-Jack Billings great friend. Y
just wait till he's back from the CT
and If he don't get upon his hind
Eth. what? His name is Smith? Rats
All this time | was just stands
there, trying to catch Frances @
| felt sure if l could catch her {
my she would see how devilish sorry
was. moved back a few feet, !
ard, dash 1t, without a sign from her
and had no idea now, of course. OF c
my sidering myself as n OF he pal
the Not finding Billings with the car, &
~, | the information caught that he
bird, still in the city, just left me n
as and dry, you know.
had "All right. Miss Smarty," the
able %low-topped chauffeur rasped, addr'
shed ing the trump. "Tll just show you
hen, He turned about and jerked
Tor head.
49, A.A n vNVHi