The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-08-09
CHAPTER X.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER x.-(continued.)
He. he!" he giggled. Woke up
and remembered had promised Flos-
sic Fandango Of '0he Partisan Broil-
ers' a box of steamer flowers. Cad,
she sells at ten; so l piled out and
shot OF a note to my florist, special
delivery. Been trying to ind out
from that internal card back there
when's. the FIRST collection from the
box below. You don't know. do your"
BY Jove. one of those f~oot-in-the-
grave old rtage-door %Johnnies! The
surprise took my breath.
Why. the cheesy old SPORT" 1
thought disgustedly. And l answered
rather coidly: Sorry. you know; no
idea" And I opened the door wide.
But the old rascal never moved;
Just stood there, chuckling horribly.
We'll, she'll be back in the fall"
he cackled. And see here, old chap.
will introduce you If you like. You
need waking up!"
And here / gave a Jump and yelled
"Ouch!"
For the old fool had dug his thumb
into my ribs. Only then did 1t dawn
IN me that he was drunk. OF course
that was 1t, and unless l got rid OF
him the old bore would stand and
twaddle the rest of the night. l
reached for his hand and shook it.
Well have a talk about 1t some
time" l said pleasantly. Just now,
don't you think we'd better each get
to bed? So devilish late, you know"
He slapped me on the shoulder with
a blow that almost brought me to the
floor. Felt like he struck me with q
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 a drink
first. though, If you don't mind"
Devilish bored as l was, l decided
the easiest escape was to humor him
"All right" l said. leaving the dool
open and stepping into the room; "Il
get you a glass Of water"
"Water!" he exclaimed, following
me in. Say, don't get funny; it's no
becoming to you" He leered at mi
hideously.
He went right to the corner wher'
stood my ce,larette. BY Jove, CIV
you my word / was so devilish stupe
fed l couldn't bring out a word.
wasn't SURE what was coming, and a
I didn't want Billings rest disturbed
/ quietly closed the door of his room
The old cock In the black pajama
had uncorked q bottle and was smell
ing its contents. He grimaced owe
his shoulder.
That's Internally rotten Scotch,
sayi" he exclaimed with a sort g
snort. Regular sell, by George!"
was glad Billings didn't heal hin
for 1t had boen a present from hir
only the week before.
Suppose I'll have to go the rye
he grumbled; and, grinning at m
familiarly, he poured himself a drinl
He tossed 1t on. neat. l reflected ths
perhaps he would go quietly now.
WELL" I said, advancing. II e.
pect you're anxious to get to vol
quarters, SO I'll say good night"
extended my hand. That ought
fetch him." l thought, IF he's a &c,
tleman, no matter how jolly corked }
may be-"
In my grasp his hand felt like
small boxing glove, but when
glanced at 1t l saw that it was n,
unusual.
The old duck pumped my arm sc
EMMY and cast his eyes to the Gel
ing.
"Fa-are-we-e-n, old f-friend!"
murmured in q husky tremolo, deflec
ing the corners Of his mouth an
wagging his bald pate. IF I don
see you again I'll have the riv,
Aragged!"
And then, instead Of going, dash n
n the old fool didn't flop down I'M
BillingS favoyite chair and reach I,
Billings cigarettes that he had lie
on the tabouret.
He waved his hand at me. "Oh, "
20 to bed, Lightnut," he said, pufir
away with iron nerve. "All the sleep
out Of me, dammit! I'll Just sit hel
and read and smoke az long as l nk
then I'll 60 IN there and turn in"
Jerk Of his do1dsring head indicate
okitn9s' rosm.