Gilpin observer., 1912-07-25

night, ana ! knew you wanted me to
forget. too"
"Oh. please" She shrank back,
her beautiful eyes like those Of a
frightened deer. But it was the last
car. and blocked the aisle. l didn't
realize at the time that was doing
1t. 1t came to me afterward, and was
one Of the things kicked myself
about for hours, more or less. Just
at the moment was SO dashed wild
about setting myself right with her.
The only other thing l had presence
OF mind to remember was the near
ness about us OF a lot OF beady-eyed
cats, and SO drew nearer and low
cred my voice so none. could hear.
For l had another feeling OF inspira-
ton as to what really was the matter
with her!
Wny, Frances-sweetheart
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
her to hear above the train, 81 know
you are put out with me because you
found me gone the next morning. but
honestly. dear, acted for the best
indeed, did" And to be on the safe
side, l profited by another inspira-
ton: And. my darling girl. I'll never
mention the pa1amas and the other
night-never any more-as long as we
i've, nor the cigarettes nor cigars nor
whisky. Why. I don't care If you"
Tarrytown-all out for Tarry-
town." came in high tenor voice
from the end of the car, and some
thing bowled down the aisle and
brushed me aside. It was the trump.
Come on, Frances!" she exclaimed
sharply: "our station" Next instant
they were streaking 1t for the door.
with me a good second. l saw Fran
ces look behind once with-oh. such
look! Dashed If it didn't shriyel
me. you know-that sort. And. by
Jove. l knew Pugsley was right, and
that had failed to put the ball over.
was not six feet behind as they
scrambled through the station to the
other side where a large car stood
painting. / saw Frances clutch the
frump's arm and whisper something
and heard the frumps reply. for her
| voice was loud and strongly mascu-
line.
Crazy" she rasped. Nonsense,
Drunk. more likely. Most of them are
half the time"
| didn't have time to see what she
referred to. for just ther. we reached
| the side of the car. | didn't gee a
thing OF Billings. but the chauffeur
jumped to the ground and received
the ladies' and their bags. He seemed
to me devilish familiar too. BY Joye.
the way he held my darling's hand
was the most Internally audacious.
outrageous thing l ever beheld!
should have liked to punch his head
He helped them into the tonneau and
was so busy with his silly jackass
chatter that he closed the door before
he turned and saw me. l was Just
standing there. leaning a little for
ward with my cane. you know. and
liking my monocle reproachfully on
Frances-trying to get her eye.
And then, by Jove, felt a blow on
my shoulder that almost bowled me
over. for / had my legs crossed, you
know.
We'll. I'll be hang-its Dicky."
And he wase egrinning at me like a
what ats-its-name cat And with the grin
l recognized him. II was the fresh
young fool who had been SO deviIish
familiar at the pier the morning
Frances left.
Then he banged me again, dash it,
and tried to get my hand, but I put
It behind me. But he did get my
| arm, and he turned toward the car.
His voice dropped.
See here. ! want you to meet
En-" He broke on, staring at the
trump. who was making signs with
her eyes. frowning and beckoning him
with her green nower-pot. He left
| me, murmuring something, and step
ped to the running.board. l could see
the fiower-pot bobbing about ener-
getically and twice Frances nodded.
It seemed to me reluctantly.
| "Crazy-drunk? Pshaw, you're bat
ty!" he said to the trump rudely.
Then l heard another murmur and
his harsh voice rose again. Yes
Lightnut. tell you-Dcky Lightnut.
Yes-Jack Billings great friend. You
Just wait till he's back from the city.
and II he don't get upon his hind
Eh, what? HIS name Is Smith? Rats!"
| All this time was Just standing
there. trying to catch Frances eye.
felt sure II could catch her eye
she would see how devilish sorry I
was. l moved back few feet. for.
dash. It. without a sign from her.
had no idea now. Of course. Of con-
sidering myself as one Of the party.
Not finding Billings with the car. and
the information I caught that he was
still in he city. Just left mo high
and dry. you know.
"All right. Miss Smarty." the yel-
low.topped chauffeur rasped. address
ing the trump. ''r'il Just show youi"
He turned about and jsrked hia
head.
"oh. Diciy! Here. Just . minute
old chap-wfll. your