Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-08-02

chair, leaning forward with shining
eyes, you can't possibly know what
this means just at this time! Why, II
you hadn't offered to speak to Fran
els, it's not likely that any one else
ever would"
"Judge!" l calculated, shocked.
Who would want to?" And ne
grimaced horribly.
"oh, say now!" protested warm
ly.
MY boy, | tell you l know-you
dont!" He lifted his hand elouuently
DETECTING the corners OF his mouth
oh, such a way! mo, stree, tell you
there's not another living man would
dare chance it," lie threw himself
backward, putting his cheeks at me
and walling his eyes rrightfully. in
fact, hereabouts-where Francis is
known, there have been two men
only just two-who ever had the te-
merity to do It,"
/ "Oh!" l commented. Wondered II
! one of these was the other chap she
was engaged to-
| He proceeded impressively: "One
of these, my dear Sir, was our rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man, now nearly eighty-three and par
TALLY paralyzed and deaf: lives a
| sweet, patient life all alone, you know,
with no one In the world to care for
him. Well. sir" he stiffened dramat-
ically. leveling one finger at me, do
you think that Francis would even
listen to him?"
Did 1? Well, dash 1t, did L?
! But l tried to humble something
polite.
And then" he pulled as he re-
lighted his cigar, there's Jacks chaut-
feur, you know
"Eh, Jack's-what's that?" gripped
the arms of my chair
YES" he nodded, Jacks chauf-
feur oh, was so disappointed at
the result of his effort!" The old
gentleman slipped back in his chair
with sigh. Francis just swore al
him, you know!"
by Jove!" l managed to get out
and yet, somehow, was devilish
pleased about it.
You seer And he spread out his
hands. Absolutely no sense of ap-
probation, you observe; and it had
seemed such splendid chance! You
see they had been so intimate-oh
are still, for that matter"
caught my breath. "In-intimate!"
| stsmmered. You don't mean Fran
ces and this chauffeur"
"Oh, yes" carelessly, "Scoggins Is
all right very superior young man
for his position-fond OF Francis, you
know, and really think has great in
fiuence." He puffed complacently an
instant. Fact is, they are always to-
gether when Francis is home"-pun
motoring. boating, or else off some
where camping together"
'Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?" looked at him aghast. "Oh,
come now, judge-really you don't
mean that, do you-not camping to-
gether?"
I | spoke excitedly, out he just stared
at me with an expression of blank sur.
prise.
"Eh? Why, certainly, my dear boy
for weeks at time-and why not?"
His shift manifested some impatience.
"Pshew, Lightnut." he growled, flick
ing his ash. what's the odds-why bS
so particular? | don't mind" He
jammed his hands into his trousers
pockets till 1t seemed he would GO
through them. II tell you, I'm glad
I'm democratic!"'
"Oh!" ! uttered, seeing a light.
Co that Wac Wall In apy o,e.
knew now that ! was republican,
by Jove! Never did know before
what | was and it was devilish re,
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind, then and there, would vote
next election-never had, you know;
few of our set ever did. Pugsley, for
one, held 1t to be doubtful form.
Bright, self-made young man." /
caught as l came back. BY Jove, be
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! Such fine morals, you
know"
"Oh, dash 1t, yesl" And | think
this must have been when i broke the
corner out OF filing.
That was why | was 30 sorry he
failed with Francis" he continued re-
gretfully; but you may succeed bet
ter-oh. don't know but what it Will
do just as well!"
Enthusiastically MUIR
INJURED weakly.
"Oh, think so-oh, yes!" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-.
signed to it-then went on thought.
fully:
And anyhow. II Francis finds you
are In deadly earnest, why it" His
voice dropped off musingly: well. 1
believe that would make 1t easier.
oh, lots easier for Scoggins."
| blinked a little with my free eye.
(To BE CoNTINUED.)
Damaue bv ljuhtnInu.