The Forrest City times., 1912-05-31
CHAPTER x.-fContinued.l

flts Ee- le E1EgsS4. N 0se up and remembered had promised Flos- sic Fandango Of The Partisan Broil- CTS box Of steamer flowers Cad. ishe sails at ten; so I piled out and shot of note 10 ny florist. special delivery. Been trying to find ou. from tha, internal card back there when's the first collection from the tox below. You don't know. do yoa?1
 By love. one of those foot-in-the- grave old stage-door Johnnies. The surprise took my breath
 Why. the eheesy old sport" thought disgustediy. And aHswered rather eeldly: Sorry. you know; no idea And I opened the door wide
 But the old rascal never moved just Ftood there. chuekliHg horribly.
 Well. she'll be back in the fau," he cackled. And see here. old chap will introduce you f you like. You need waking up'@
 And here I gave a jump and yelled Ouch"
 For the old fool had dug his thumb Into my ribs Only then did f dawn on ne that he was drunk. Of course that was t, and unless I got rid Of him the old bore would stand and twaddle the rest of the night 1 reached for his hand and shook 1t
 Wen have a talk about fl some dime" l said pleasantly. Just now. don't you think we'd better each get 10 bed? So devilish late. you know"
 He slapped me on the shoulder with & blow that almost brought me 10 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
 Devilish bored as was. I decided the easiest escape was 10 humor him.
 "All right" I said. leaving the door open and stepping into the room. I'll ret you a glass Of water"
 "Water.7 he exclaimed, following me in. Say. don't get funny, it's not becoming to you" He leered at me hideously.
 He went right 10 the corner where stood my cellarette By love, give you my werd was so devilish stupe- fed I couldn't bring out word wasn't sure what was coming. and as didn't want Billings rest disturbed I Quiet'y closed the door Of his room
 The old cock in the black pajamas had rncorked bottle and was smell ing its contents. He grimaced over his shoulder.
 That's internally rotten Scotch. 1 say!" he exclaimed with a sort Of snort. Regular sell. by George."
 was glad Billings didn't hear him. for it had been present from him only the week before.
 Suppose I'll have to go the rye" he grumbled: and. grinning at me famaiarly. he poured himself drink He tossed 1t of, neat. reflected that perhaps he would go quietly now.
 Well" I said, advancing T ex- pect you're anxious to get 10 your quarters. so I'll say good night" extended my hand. That ought 10 fetch him." I thought, If he's a zen. tleman. no matter how Jolly corked be may be"
 In my grasp his hand felt like a small boxing glove. but when 1 glanced al fl saw that 1t was not unusual
 The old duck pumped my arm sol emnly and cast his eyes to the cell ing
 -Fa-are-wee-n, old f-friend," he murmured in a husky tremole. defect. ing the corners of his mouth and wagging his bald pate If l don't See you again I'll have the river dragged"
 And then, instead of going, dash me fsthe old fool didn't flop down into Billings favorite chair and reach for Billings cigarettes that he had left on the tabouret.
 He waved his hand at me. "Oh. you go to bed. Lghtnut." he said. pulling away with iron nerve. "All the sleeps out Of me. dammit, I'll just sit here and read and smoke as long as l like, then I'll 70 in there and turn in." 4 Jerk of his doddering head indicated Killings room