Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-09-11

besides, there still fingered bit of
headache from the Heidelberg punch
and l could imagine from that what
his feelings must have been.
by George, Dicly," he burst out
again, the way I've been shut up and
treated just seems like some Internal
conspiracy. Good thing Jack Ellis
worth's dad had pull with the mayor
tell you ell the whole rotten bust
ness when can talk about it quietly"
That's right! that's right" | said
soothingly, wouldn't think about it at
all now, old chap!" No use remind
ing him, you know, that he had shut
himself up. Besides, the wandering
of his mind to Jack Ellsworth and his
father showed me that even yet he
was not quite himself.
Billings mopped his forehead. my,
but it was hot in that hoIe!" he ex-
claimed. And that reminds me
have you seen the governor this morn
ing? No? Well, talk about hot!
George, but the old man was hot I'M
der the collar when | saw him just
now And he looks like he had been
dropped from a shot tower! It's this
case he's working on, guess, or else
it's about Francis He's found out
what l knew"
"Do-do you think so?" l questioned
nervously.
Pretty sure" said Billings care
lessly. Fact is, he's already fixing
up to send Francis to some kind Of
reformatory-heard him making the
arrangements over the 'phone"-I was
glad he didn't look at me as he rat
tied on-"and, by the way, the gov
ernor told me to tell you not to say
a word to Francis suppose you'll
understand"
Understand? Oh, yes, understood
And he said he wanted to see you -
Isis he here?" stammered, pull
ing back
Thank goodness, no. Gone to meet
Colonel Francis Kirkland-say, don't
say anything about ft-wants to sur
prise his daughter, you know. On his
way to London via San Francisco
arrived at Washington a few days
ago."
Oh, the frump's father! Much
cared! But knowing how interested
he was in her, tried to show an in
terest,
Colonel Francis-er - isn't his
daughter named after him." And |
felt myself grow jolly red, for i re-
membered that she had told me that
about her friend as she sat on the
arm of the Morris chair and in the
black pajamas.
Hanged if l know" said Billings
carelessly. Il don't know what her
name is-don't remember that l ever
heard" He whistled. Say, but did
you ever see anything as stunningly
pretty in your life?"
l baked. By Jove had been do
ing some mild lying within the past
twenty-four hours, but this was ask
ing too much. Dash me if just could
go it, that's all But he didn't seem
to notice
He slapped me on the back. by
George, Dicky, there's just the girl
cut out for you, old chap-take my
tip. 1 think she likes you, too
could see it just now when l was
talking about you"
So that was 1t, l reflected gloomtly.
The trump now was to be worked on
on me, and | was expected to stand
for it. I was to be d sort of what-you-
call-it offering on the altar of friend
ship. That was the condition upon
which he was patching up things!
Billings laughed suddenly. But,
oh, 1 tell you it would be hard on
Francis-a regular knockout, by
George!"
Devilish brutal for him to say so,
thought.
do you think SOP" I questioned
dismally. Would Frances really
carer"
tOh, yes" he said lightly soon
get over it. though-puppy love. you
know"
Puppy love, indeed! By Jove. how
| hated Billings!
He went on: Suppose you never
heard anything of the professor and
the pajamas?"
had not, and 1 was devflish SICK
of pajamas, anyway.
And say, Dicky, I don't remember
that ever thanked you properly, ole
man, for putting up my kid brother
the other night He says you treated
him like a brick and that you and be
got to be great pals. So much obliged
old chap, because he wanted to &C
running around, you know"
Your brotner?" 1 questioned, aston
ished, and l guess my face must have
showed 1t.
Didn't he stay with your" he snap
ped.
I stared blankly. Why, Billings
didn't know didn't remember yor
had a brother. never have seer
him."
Billings face swelled redder, and ht
struck his fist down with an oath. Ht