The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1912-05-31

he went right on:
Say, did you ever see anything so
corking fine?" He looked up, holding
the ruby In the light. And to think
how little | dreamed of scooping any
thing like that when l came In here
tonight"
BY Jove, this was little too much,
even for an easy-going chap like my
self! The jolly worm will turn, you
know.
Dash me, before | knew what | was
doing even. had moved to his side
and jerked the ruby from his hand.
My face felt like a hot-water bottle as
did 1t.
You haven't got it yet" | said,
land I'll take devilish good care you
don't get It,"
He fell back as though from blow.
'Why-why, old chap, Why, Light
NUT" he gasped. Whats the mat
ter-what makes you look at me like
that"
Your liberties have gone just bit
too far, don't you know" | said, look
ing steadily in his fishy old eye. I've
ALL"
He stared at me, and | could hear
him breathing like blacksmith's bel
lows. | would never have thought he
had such lungs.
Slowly his hand came out, and dash
me If 1t wasn't shaking like he had
the delirium what 's-its-name. But for
his tan, his face would have been as
white as his hypocritical old whiskers.
rs this some Internal joke" His
face summoned siekly smile that al
most instantly faded His hand fell
back to his side. why, old fellow,
you don't think that way about me, do
you? AS for the ruby, II don't want
it now-I just want you to accept my
apology for anything I've done. and
and let me get away"
There was a short laugh from the
doorway.
Likely enough" said officer
O'Keefe, his big figure swinging for
ward with long strides. Keep him
covered. TIM"
He planted himself between us with
a grin.
You're it again, Foxy, Jigs up.
VIII you go quietly?"
1t did me good to see how complete
ly the old scoundrel was taken back.
His wide distended bleary eyes shift
ed FROM, OK aafa m mo apa ho.iy aootp
1t was perfect surprise.
l motioned to Jenkins to close the
door of my friends bedroom, So far,
he had evidently slept serenely
through all the trouble, and, II pos
sible, wanted to avoid arousing him
now. For fat man, Billings had the
deuce of a temper when stirred up
over anything like an imposition upon
him, and 1t would only add to the CON
fusion for him to appear on the scene
and learn about his wallet and his
treasured ruby that | had rescued
Foxy Grandpas face had been rap
idly undergoing change From pal
Tor to pink 1t went; and then from
pink to red. Now it was becoming
scarlet, He threw his head back and
faced me angrily.
"Lightnut, will you tell me what the
hell this means?" And his heavy voice
Numbered.
Here, Here, That'll be enough
o. that cried officer O'Keefe sharp
ly. None of your grandstand play
here, or it'll be the worse for you.
And no tricks, Braxton, or"
He clutched his stick menacingly,
"Braxton," snorted the old fellow.
why. you born fool. my names not
Braxton."
Not now" grinned O'Keefe. Say.
what is your name now. Foxy"
MY name" roared Foxy Grandpa.
and paused abruptly. He looked rath.
err blankly from one officer to the
other.
See here; do | understand I'm UNI
der arrest? ?" he inquired
you certainly are talking, Foxy"
chuekled O'Keefe.
Then my names Doe-~Sch3. noe. .
and thought the fellows quick glance
at me held an appeal. OF what sort.
| had no idea.
And what. may | ask. is the
charger" he asked again, with what
was apparently a great effort at calm
ness.
tTO BE CoNTINCED)