The Forrest City times., 1912-05-17


 old chap. Cane. Jenkins! 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 I 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, 1 understand
 He plunked like jolly elephant h. to the largest and most comfortable 1 chair In the room and wheezed for breath.
 And. Jenkins!" He raised one fat finger while he took a gasp. Don't mind If do have 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!" I protested. Don't lose that cap" I picked it up from where he had jerked 1t to the floor. It's 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 a low tone, as he cut side glance at Jenkins si- phoning the fizz over at the cellarette What in thunder have you been do- ing now?"
 By love, I turned cold for a minute, l was that startled. l thought he was going to use the pajamas as an intro duction for reference to last night But in minute l saw that he did not mean that
 Where on earth did you get any thing like this?"
 "Oh, I say now!" I demonstrated, alarm changing to mild dudgeon. l Billings devilish rude manners are so offensive at times What do you mean? It's present from a friend in China"
 Present" Billings eyes bulged l queerly. He stopped toward me, whis- pering; Did he know what this b2t- ton was?"
 Why. of course he didn't" I an- swered indignantly Never dreamed of 1t, of course l tell you, 1t was all nicely covered, was what-you- call-it- upholstered, you know-with devilish nice silk. cut it off 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 1t 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 it with the garment upon the table, and with hands jammed deep in his pockets, faced me with a long-drawn whistle
 Well. I'll be hanged," he ex- claimed. Just a coarse, vulgar out burst, you know-no sense to 1t; 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 it, how should l know? l suppose so." l answered indifferently. And closed my eyes and leaned back. feeling a bit-just a bit-weary Some how. Billings is always so exhau.ting when he gets started on something.
 "Oh, cut 1t out. old chap" protest ed. drowsy-like
 T will. heard him say. Then 1 guess l must have dropped of bit, for the next thing l knew he was shaking me.
 "Dicky, nicky! Say. look herel Look, tell you"
 did look. and-well, I was jolly vexed. that's all
 "Oh. say now!" spoke severely just that way. you know. went on. demonstrating: "DeyiHsh silly joke. il you ask me. You've gone and ruined the thing. Billings, Flashy buttons like that. you know-too tawdry, too cheap"
 Cheap" He almost shouted it Then he leaned over the back of the leather chair and pounded his fat head against the cushions, writhing his big bulk from side to side. Quite impossible" l said firmly. Not en regle at all, you know" And l fixed my glass and stared gloomily at the things. The five shiny buttons just lay there against the delicate silk like so many fiery crimson cher ries.
 He leered at me, chuckling Look cheap to you, eh? What you might call outre. so to speak"
 By love. of course" I answered ruefuily. T can't sleep in the things now, you know. What would people say"
 Billings stared at me disagreeably moment and said something under his breath Then he caught up the