Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-08-09

IAlhS AAh0 SAoS "AS
tonight"
BY Jove, this was a little too much.
even for IN easy-going chap hk my
self! The jolly worm will turn. you
know.
Dash me, before / knew what l was
doing even, l had moved to his side
and jerked the ruby from his hand
My face felt like a hot-water bottle as
l did it.
You haven't got it yet" I said.
"and I'll take devilish good care you
don't get It,"
He fell back as though from q blow.
"Why-why, old chap! Why. Light
mutt" he gasped. Whats the mat
ter-what makes you look at me like
that?"
Your liberties have gone just a bit
too far, dom you know" l said, look
ing steadily In his fishy old eye. I've
had enough Of you. by Jove, that's
ALI"
He stared at me, and l could hear
him breathing like a blacksmith's bel
lows. I would never have thought he
had sue lungs.
Slowly his hand came out, and dash
me If 1t wasn't shaking like he had
the deltrium what's-its-name. But for
his tan, his face would have been as
white as his hypocritical old whiskers.
rs this some Internal joker" His
a summoned a sickly smile that al
most instantly faded. His hand fell
back to his side. why, old fellow,
VN11 Hnn'f fhfnl fhok ~ about ~ 40
you? AS for the ruby, IL don't want
1t 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 ohicer
O'Keefe, his big figure swinging for.
ward with long strides. Keep him
covered, Tint"
He planted himself between us with
a grin.
You're 1T again. Foxy! Jig's up.
VIII you go quietly7"
1t did me good to see how complete
~ he old scoundrel was taken back.
His wide distended bleary eyes shift
ed from O'Keefe to me and back again.
IL was a perfect surprise.
I motioned to Jenkins to close the
door OF my friends bedroom, So Tar.
he had evidently slept serenely
through all the trouble, and, il pos
stble. I wanted to avoid arousing him
now. For a fat man. Billings had the
deuce OF q temper when stirred up
over anything like an imposition upon
him. and it would only add to the con-
fusion for him to appear on the scene
and learn about his wallet and his
treasured ruby that I had rescued.
Foxy Grandpa's lace had been rap
idly undergoing q change. From pal
lor 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.
"Herel Here! Thatll be enough
o. that" cried Ofdcer 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.
e ASoAs oAOAS tA0 ~ SkAOW.
why, you born fool, my names not
Braxton!"
Not now" grinned O'Keefe. "say.
what is your name now, Foxy7"
my name" roared Foxy Grandpa,
and paused abruptly. He looked rath.
er blankly from n officer to the
other.
See here; do 1 understand I'm un-
der arrest?" he inquired.
you certainly are talking. Foxy"
chuckled O'Keefe.
Then my names Doe-John Doe"
and / thought the fellows quick glance
at me held IN appeal. OF what sort,
I had no idea.
And what. may ask, is the
charger" he asked again, with what
was apparently a great EFFORT at calm
ness.
ero BE coNT1NuED.o