Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-05-24

got outer bed on the wrong side, the
old lady went header sure-oh, l
know!"
A moment before, I had thought
that so far as the mere matter OF Jolly
misery was concerned, | had sounded
the what-you-calI-'ems; but now my
dashed brain was Keeling before this
new horror! To think that she was
but Oh, it couldn't be! And yet re-
called orninous}y that most OF tho
time I had known her, l had only
seen her sitting!
"Ry-y-y the way, sir!" He closed
one eye at me as he carved from the
brown beauty a half inch OF its waxy
bud, using for the maltreatment per-
fectly brutal knife. That was neat
try-on you made to copper the thief
yourself-a leetle irregular, you
know" he shook his head at me, "but,
as the captain said, we amt making
no point about that with gent like
you-sure not!"-another imperisha-
BILE line of beauty upon the receptive
stone. and he pulled inhalations OF
10y. But [ knew you never could
get him to tho station-I could have
told YOU
"Oh!" | remarked, puzzled. By
Jove, l had a dashed awful thought
for a moment that I must be losing
my intelligence! I looked at Jenkins
again, but he had not yet come back
to the ground.
ooh, I'm on, sir!" Another one Of
those awful winks as his club
scratched his helmet sideways. You
know 1 saw everything-I was right
there at the Kahoka, you know!"
"Oh, that" l said, understanding.
For knew then that he was talking
about Foxy Grandpa in my rooms. |
had almost forgotten the jolly old
vagabo2d, but it occurred to me that
perhaps l ought to show some inter-
81: $ they must have recaptured him
along with the pajamas. Il say!"
chirped up, "did you have much
trouble about it-getting him again,
you know"
"Trouble?" O'Keefe's lip doubled
ccntemptuously. ut was easy as but
teri" His hand spread, palm down.
ward, in IN expressive gesture. why,
he doubled right back to the kaho-
ka!"
Fly Joye, you know!" l exclaimed,
startled.
"Surest thing you know! I coilared
him right in front and with the
goods!" Mr. O'Keefe expectorated
elocuently. my, but he did put up
an awful holler-said the pajamas
were his own and he had just had 'em
made. And bluff-weil!"-he famed
the air for a moment in the effort to
find an appropriate gesture-"Pm
used to these swell con men, but that
gun was the limit-pulled out card
case, mind you, and letters, and want
ed me to go with him to his club
his club" the big fellow doubled over
in a spasm Of mirth that all but
choked him. 81 told him I'd give him
the club If he didn't go quietly-for
you see I recognized him in minute;
you can't lose them freak kind! Be-
sides, he give himself away: told me
he'd overlook my conduct on this oc-
casion and the other, if I would re-
lease him. Well, that was enough! l
beckoned Jimmy Dryer across and
we run him down the line to the sta
ton. Oh, we got him there, but it
wasn't easy-for him! And there
he'll stay a while!"
He had to pause and pump air, he
was so winded.
"But it woulder tickled you," he re-
sumed, using one of the vestas l ex-
tended and putting the cigar until 1t
almost famed, IF you coulder seen
the grand-stand play this guy put up
before the sergeant! But the old man
Just let him blow it all off; just sat
there calm behind the desk, chewing
away and jabb1ng a pen through the
blotter, while this stiff fumed and
spouted-oh, something scandalous-
bringing in the names of mighty near
all the important people in New
York; his friends, he said! oh, yes,
he mentioned you in particular, sir!"
and his face expanded in relish
ing grin.
Dashed impudence!" I murmured
feebly.
oh, yes" carelessly, "but the sarge
quoted him-just purity near soothed
him to sleep before he got through,
you know-it's enc Of his ways!"-his
glance lifted solemnly.
Fine, you know" l murmuTed adj
miringly. l reflected apprcyii-g:y up
on what a dashed good thing it was
to have a man in that position-what-
ever 1t was-who was of such dev-
ilish mild and gentle temperament:
the quiet word-the soft ansWer-the
kindly remonstrance-all that sort OF
thing, you know.
But, If no offense, there's just one
question I'd like to ask you, sir" He
swung his club with a smiling, genial
air.
"Oh, dash it, MOI" responded abb
sently
My eye had been suddenly attract
ed by a feathery CLEAN Of white
through the trees. 1t was slowly NOV
ing up the slope to pavilion over
looking the Tappan Zee.
He drew nearer with a confidential