The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-16

overhead and all that sort Of thing,
and lots of them below, too could
hear them singing over on Broadway
"All right, old chap; then here they
20 into the street." I said. IF my
friend can't have 'em, then 10 jolly
crowned heads shall That's lat"
Billings started forward with reg"
ular scream.
I waved him back. Don't come
any nearer, old chap" I said, holding
my arm out of the window, "or, dash
me, I'll drop them instantly. Six sto-
ries, you know-stone tagging be-
low"
But, Dicky-"
eff you don't say you'll take 'em,
time count three, I'll give 'em a
toss, by Jove! One!"
Here, Dicky! Don't be a-''
"Two!" 1 counted. No bluR, you
know; 1 meant jolly well to do 1t.
"Just one word-one second,
Dicky!" he yelled. Let me off with
one, then. Dicky! Dicky, old chap!
Be good sportsman
I hes1tateG. Dash it, one hates to
take an advantage.
Billings stretched out his arm ap-
pealingly. do, old chap!" he plead
ed. "Give me just one-one only"
His hand shook like quivering
what's-Its-name leaf.
1 yielded reluctantly. "Oh, well.
then, call it off with one," said. And
with sigh 1 tossed him one of the
rubies and dropped the other in the
pocket of my smoking-jacket. Billings
i, wiped his forehead, and then he
thanked me and wiped his eyes.
! $50 good of you to give in, old
chap" he snuf1ed. Never will forget
you for it,"
"oh, I say, chuck it, you know!" I
protested.
Whole family will thank you," he
went on in his handkerchief. Prince
Iy magnanimity and all that sort Of
! thing-you'll just have to come up for
! the week end with me this"
81 will" 1 reached forward eagerly
and insisted on shaking hands. BY
Jove, what luck!
And Billings looked regularly over
come. All he could do was just shake
his head and pump my arm. Why,
dash it, this seemed to affect him
more even than giving in about the
ruby. It was the first time had ever
accepted his invitation, you know.
Tell you what, old chap" he said,
as soon as he could speak. "I'm go,
ing to tell you what to do with that
other stone. You save that for her. .
"Her!" By Jove, l was so startled
lost the grip on my monocle. Bill
ings nodded emphatically.
"Yes, sir-for her; she'll be along
one Of these days.
"By Jove, you know!" was almost
dizzy with a sudden idea. fished
out the jewel and held it before my
glass, squirting doubtfully at it.
wondered if it was good enough fol
"her."
81 say, Billings" I murmured
thoughtfully. Blondes or brunettes
you know-which wear rubies?"
Both" He said it with a kind OF
jaw snap. They wear anything IN
the jewel line they can freeze on-to.'
"But which"
"The worst? Blondes, my boy
blondes, every time; especially those
going around in black" Billings spoke
gloomily. Let me tell you, my boy
and know-don't you ever have any
thing to do with a blonde if she's il
black, especially black silk-hear"
By Jove, his uplifted finger and
fierce way of saying it gave me a reg
ular turn, you know. But then there
was the ruby, and I was thinking
that
perhaps the four Of them in z
bracelet muttered, with something
else to help out They might DO"
They might" said Billings in
tone of coarse sarcasm. They nigh
do for a queen!"
1 flashed quick look at him. Jus
what 1 was thinking" answered
gently.
Meantime" said Billings, yawn1ng
"let's go to bed"
And just as I rang for jenkins
suddenly was seized with a perfectly
ripping idea that checked a long
yawn right in the middle and almos
broke my jaw. For l saw how coulc
do something handsome that Woulc
even up with Billings in way fol
the ruby he wouldn't take.
Tell you what, old chap" 1 said
slapping him on the shoulder, "yol
are going to have them tonight"
"Have-have what?" burst from
him. "Rubies? 1 tell you 1 won
take another"
"Rubies!" 1 calculated contemptu
ously. "Rubies nothing! Something
better-something worth while, dasl