The Nevada County picayune., 1912-09-27

It is a phanaeus cG7nifex." said the 1 professor positively. By love, 1t looked to me like what we used to call a dung beetle!
 And then the two cranks went out in the sun with butterfly nets, and Frances and l drifted out to our pa- vilion overlooking the broad sweep cf the Tappan Zee. As yet, her father had said nothing to me, but l knew that the blow might fall any moment. Only the arrival of the frump's father had so far saved me.
 In the evening, the younger brother showed LID at dinner. but sulked, which l thought under the circumstances was about the most considerate thing he could have done.
 Once during the evening, Billings, who had been talking with the pro lessor. turned to me. By the way, Dicky-those pajamas. you know what did you do with them this morn ing" He and the professor whis- pered again; then Billings turned back Gray paper parcel-um-yo know"
 Know? Dash II. of course l @new. but l.
 Why, have them now" came quietly from my companion, thanks to MT. Lightnnt. H2 gave them to me this morning.
 Gave them to you" ga-ped Bill Hngs. He whispered to me: But tho rubies, you caekoo-you didn't give her those?"
 Rubies? Dash it. had to think hard to remember what had become of the rubies. But got the idea.
 Why, the professor has those" l reminded him. The red paJamas, you know--don't you remember" l drew him aside.
 Billings stared. But he says he returned them" he exclaimed, cutting an odd siGewise look at the professor. who was talking to Frances and the trump. Billings frowned
 Haven't seen them" said care. lessly, fer 1 wanted to talk to her. oh, dash the rubies-wait till morn inG."
 Billings looked sourly at the pro. lessor and went off and sat alone. lie seemed put out about the old boy not returning the garments. Never seemed to occur to him that the professor was a devilish busy and absent-minded old chap. Might not return them for a month. I knew that.
 Oh. really. Frances?" the trump was saying, How exceedingly nice of you. dear!" The professor was oc. cupied for the moment with a moth "I hope won't frighten you in them as you say your maid was frightened at you. If paiamas are unbecoming to you, why just imagine me in them!"
 By love, I was deviish glad l was Dot supposed to hear, for didn't want to be required to imagine it. But as for them being unbeeomfng to my darling-well. l knew she knew what 1 thought,
 Later, when the evening had shaded of and the ladies had left us, We sat in the smoking-room talking till late. l was astonished to find Foxy Grand pa deytffsh entertaining and clever not bad sort at all. He seemed to have no recollection of me at all, and therefore no grudges, had made up my mind by this time l wasn't going to marry the trump, no matter what came or what Billings wanted. and 1 would tell him so in the morning. But whoever did marry her-and 1t looked tikn if unino fa hsa hn would have some sort Of compensa. ton in Foxy Grandpa's entertaining stories of Eastern scandal.
 Billings cub brother smoked in a corner of the room by himself and drank innumerable slugs of whisky straight. Once saw his father go over to him and seem to remonstrate. but without effect
 Billings wanted his father to try my special import of cigarettes, so l sent for Jenkins, who had arrived. to bring some down. And when he saw Foxy Grandpa calmly sitting there by me. pulling at a straw, he almost lost his balance But I shook my head with covert warning.
 Ever see me before-eh?" asked the cub harshly. as he waved aside he cigarettes Jenkins extended: Last Wednesday night--remember?"
 Yes, sir" replied Jenkins, hesitat ingly Then he rolled an eye at me and corrected himself hastily but firm. ly:
 No. sir; don't recall ever seeing you before. sir"
 Of course, knew he had not, bu, the cub got up with n sour laugh Then with murmured grufr apology. he withdrew. saying he had a head ache and was going to bed. And, by love, what a look he gave me from the door,
 tTO BE CONTINUED
 Making Recovery an ooTact.