Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-04-25

Fact is, it wasn't a knot at all, but
button-a devilish CLASSY button,
something bigger than a dime, per-
haps, and thick as the end of your
little finger. And there 1t lay against
the silk, burning its way through 1t
like a red coal of fire.
And 1t was Just then that Billings
rolled in.
say rolled In" because 1t always
looks that way. That's the way Bill
ings is built, you know.
Il say, Dicky," he painted. "just
missed another Internal express!
Plenty more trains, but l had a great
inspiration strike me that I'd let you
put me up for the night Hat, Jen-
kins! Now, don't say a word, Dicky,
old chap. Cane, Jenl1insl Great pleas
ure, assure you-won't inconvenience
at all. Gloves, jenkins! Just give
me something to sleep in, and I'll be
as comfortable here as l would be at
the club-so don't worry any about
me, old chap. BY the way, want to
thank you for taking care of the kid.
Got home all right, l understand"
He plunked like a jolly elephant in
to the largest and most comfortable
chair in the room and wheezod for
breath.
And, Jenkins!" lie raised one fat
finger while ne took a gasp. Don't
mind if l do have a package of
Dicky's Koroskos and a sloe fizz-not
too sweet, you know; and you may"
Billings broke off suddenly. Then
he climbed heavily to his feet, and
without warning, heaved himself
across the room and seized the button
l had just uncovered Dashed If he
didn't almost upset me.
Here, say!" l protested. Don't
lose that cap" 1 picked 1t up from
where he had jerked it to the floor.
TITS the cover to hide that glass, you
know"
"Wh-a-a-t!"
Billings swung round, staring at me
with the most curious expression.
See here. Dicky." he exclaimed
rather excitedly, but in low tone, as
he cut a side glance at Jenkins ST.
phoning the fizz over at the cellarette.
What in thunder have you been do
ing now?"
By Jove, l turned cold for a minute,
I was that startled. thought he was
going to use the pajamas as an intro
duction for reference to last night. But
in a minute saw that he did not
mean that
Where on earth did you get any.
thing like this?" And he held up the
button and the garment.
"Oh, say now!" / demonstrated,
alarm changing to mild dudgeon.
Billings devilish rude manners are SO
offensive at times. What do you
mean? It's a present from a friend
in China"
Present." Billings eyes bulged
Queerly. He stopped toward me, whis.
pering: did he know what this but
ton WASP"
why, of course he didn't" I an.
swered Indignantly. Never dreamed
Of It, of course. l tell you, It was all
nicely covered, was what-you-call-it-
upholstered, you know-with devilish
nice silk. cut 1t OF accidentally,
trying to force the thing through that
loop. That left the marble exposed"
Billings took the glass mechanically
from the tray rendered By Jenkins and
slipped It slowly. eying me curiously
over the top. Then he set It back.
very deliberately. wiped his mouth
with the BIT Of napery. and without
taking his glance from me. waited un.
til Jenkins had left the room. Where
upon, after another searching look at
the button, he dropped 1t with tho
garment upon the table, and with
hands jammed deep in his pockets,
faced me with a long-drawn whistle.
We'll, I'll be hanged" he ex.
claimed. Just a coarse. vulgar out
burst, you know-no sense to It; no
point at all, you know-that's Bill.
ings.
He caught up the coat again. And
these others-four Of them-are they
just the same?" he demanded sharply.
Dash 1t, how should I know? II
suppose So" answered indifrerently.
And closed my eyes and leaned back,
feeling bit-just a bit-weary. Some.
how, Billings is always so exhausting
when he gets started on something.
"Oh, cut 1t out, old chap" protest.
ed, drowsy-like.
II WILL" / heard him say. Then II
guess must have dropped OF bit,
for the next thing l knew he was
shaking me.
"Dicky! Dicky! Say, look here!
Look, tell you'll"
I did look, and-well, was jolly
vexed, that's all.