Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-04-26
CO0N2/U2zT III ~ SO5EC 1h512yL CO/z44n|

7 didn't like J. Il ,it-so mysterious,
you know. Besides, dash it, the thing
was getting me ali walked up! l just
knew if once l set excited and thor
oughly awake, it would take me near
~ ten minutes to get to sleep again.
And, by Jove, just then the excite
ment came, for | got hold OF the fact
after | had stared at it while, that
the door of my apartment opening
into the outer corridor was standlhS
aiar. Why, dash it, it was not oniy
standing, it was moving. linen suo-
denly the broad streak of light from
the corridor widened under the I'M
pulse of a fresheniEg breeze, and the
door swung open wi,h lang.
And then l heard MY name spoken.
BY Jove, had been standing there
with my mouth open, bobbing my head
like a silly dodo; but, give you my
wor6, | was suddenly wide awake as
q jolly owl wagon!
Away down the corridor, by the
mail chute, man was st2nbne. read
ing a framed placard. Nothing partic-
ularly remarkable in this, but as the
door banged ne turned his head
sharply and ejaculated
Dammit. Now, that will wake
Lightnut!"
| was surprised, because I couldn't
recall ever having seen him before;
vet. standing as he did under the ngat,
I had opportunity tor a devii1sh 5000
view.
He was a heavy set old party, rather
baldish. with snowy mutton chops s::d
a becfy complexion that was jolly We'll
tanned below the hatband line, you
know. The kind OF cd boy you size
I'D as one OF the prime feeder sort
and fond of looking on the wine when
it is Oporto red. Had something OF
the cut of the retired India colonies
one sees about the Service clubs in
London-straight as lamp post still,
but out of training and in devilish
need of tapping-that sort OF duck,
you know!
What respectable-looking old par
ty might be up to, wandering around q
bachelor apartment building at three
in the morning, was none of my Dusl-
ness. What's more, you know,
didn't care a jolly hang. But the
thing tina. dashed me was that just
as moved toward the door to c.ose
It, he uttered my name again and
came straight toward me as though 10
speak.
So I had to wait. by Jove, for l
couldn't close the door in his face.
Awfu!ly rotten thing to do-that, you
know.
Lost his floor and wants 10 in
euiTe," I decided.
And then as he toddled across the
last yard and stopped before ne, l
saw that the old chap was in his night
tnings-some darkish sort OF pajamas.
by George" he exclaimed with a
leer that showed his almost toothless
old gums. Pet you never would guess
what I got up for."
No. dash it, l didn't even care to
try. 1 just coughed little:
"He, he" he giggied. Woke up
and remembered had promised F'los-
sic Fandango of The Partisan Broil-
ers' box of steamer flowers. Cad,
she sails at ten; so I 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 l 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,
will introduce you if you like. You
need waking up!"
And here 1 gave jump and yelled
"Ouchi"
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 I got rid OF
him the old bore would stand and
twaddle the rest of the night.
reached for his hand and shook it.
Well have talk about it some
time" I said pleasantly. Just now,
don't you think we'd better each get
to bed? So devilish late, you know.
He slapped me on the shoulder with
blow 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
delicately put; won't keep you up an
other minute Believe I'd like drink
first, though, If you don't mind
wn 8