Gilpin observer., 1912-06-27
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6p FRANCIS PERRY ELLIOTT
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kins! Now. don't say a word. Dioky.
old chap. Cane, Jenkinsl Great pleas.
urs, assure you-won't inconvenisnc ce
at all. Gloves. Jenkinsl Just give
me something to sleep in, and I'll be
as comfortable here a. I would be at
the club-so don't worry any about
me, old chap. BY tho way. want to
thank you for taking care of the kid.
Got home all right, I understand
He plunked like q jolly elephant In
to the largest and most comfortable
chair in the room and wheesed for
breath.
And, Jenkinsl" He raised one fat
finger while he took a gasp. Don't
mind II do have a package of
Doky's Koroskos and a sloe fizz-not
too sweet, you know; and you may"
Billings broke OF suddenly. Then
he climbed heavily TO his feet, and
without warning. heaved himself
across the room and seized tho button
had Just uncovered. Dashed II he
didn't almost upset me.
Here. I sayi" protested. Don't
lose that cap" picked It up from
where he had jerked It to the floor.
TITS the cover to hide that glass. you
know"
''Wh-a-a-ti"
Billings swung round, staring at me
with the most curious expression.
See here. Dioky," he exclaimed
rather excitedly. but in low tone, as
he cut a side glance at Jenkins ST.
phoning the flzz over at the cellarette.
ing now?"
By Jove. l turned cold for a minute,
l was that startled. I thought he was
going to use the paJamas as an intro
duction for reference to last night. But
in a minute / saw that he did not
mean that
Where on earth did you get any
thing like this?"
"Oh, ! say now!" demonstrated.
alarm changing to a mild dudgeon.
Billings devilish rude manners are SO
offensive at times. What do you
mean? It's a present from . friend
in China"
Present." Billings eyes bulged
queerly. He stopped toward me. whis-
pering: Did he know what this but
ton was?"
Why, OF course he didn't" l an
swered Indignantly. Never dreamed
Of It. OF course. I tell you, It was all
nicely covered, was what-you-call-it-
upholstered. you know-with devilish
nice silk cut 1t off accidentally.
k,o~
loop. That left the marble exposed"
Billings took the glass mechanically
from the tray rendered by Jenkins and
slipped 1t slowly. eying me curiously
over the top. Then he set It back.
very deliberately, wiped his mouth
with the bit of napery. and without
taking his glance from me, waited un-
til Jenkins had left the room. Where
upon. after another searching look at
the button. he dropped 1t with the
garment upon the table, and with
hands jammed deep in his pockets.
faced me with a long-drawn whistle.
We'll, I'll be hanged" he ex-
claimed. Just a coarse. vulgar out
burst, you know-no sense TO II; no
point at all, you know-that's Bill
ings.
He caught up the coat again And
these others-four Of them-are they
Just the same!" he demanded sharply.
Dash II, how should l know? l
suppose So" l answered indinerently.
And closed my eyes and leaned back,
feeling bit-1ust bit-weary. Some
how. Billings is always SO exhausting
when he gets started on something
"Oh, cut It out. old chap" protest
Cd. drowsy-like.
Il WILL" heard him say. Then 1
guess l must have dropped OF a bit.
for the next thing I knew he was
shaking me.
"Dicky! Dickyl Say. look herel
Look. tell you'll"
did look, and-well. I was Jolly
vexed. that's all.
"Oh. / say now!" spoke severely
Just that way. you know. went on,
demonstrating: "Devilish silly joke, II
you ask me. You've gone and ruined
the thing, Billings! FIashy buttons
like that, you know-too tawdry, too
cheap"
I.
Then he leaned over the back OF the
leather chair and pounded his fat head
against the cushions. writhing his big
bulk from side to side.
Quite impossible" | said firmly.
mot en- regle at all. you know!" And
/ fixed my glass and stared gloomily
at the things. The Eve shiny buttons
lust lay there against the delicate
silk like so many fiery crimson cher
ries.
He leered at me. ohuokling. Look
cheap to you. chr What you might
call outre. SO to speak?"
by Jove. Of course" | answered
ruofully. 81 can't sleep in the things
now. you know. What would people
sayf"
Billings stared at mo disagreeably
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