Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-10-16

tiently when suggested that ne
meant this.
Bridget" he exploded. Why, Fran
els doesn't know bridge from oasino
Poker, / tell you, and faro-and all
the rest. The plucking was done
nightly at certain-er-club the es-
adjustment of a gentleman by the
name of MeGinty-'Spot' McGinty-
oh. you know the place. them"
| faced him earnestly. Ter
Judge Billings, do | understand you
that is, it can't be that you are speak
ing of-er-Frances? | stammered
incredulously. 81 mean your Frances
surely you are not!"
Il just ami" His jaw set with
snap. Just who Pm talking about
and nobody else, young man! mean
my Francis-Francis Leslie Billings
who else could mean?" He almost
groaned. "Oh. you don't know Fran
cis!"
Dash it, what they all chorused at
me! They seemed pretty positive
about it, too, and ! was jolly miser-
able; but looking back now, | some
how think OF that moment as being
the point where ! reached the parting
of the Interpretations.
Meantime, her father was studying
me a little oddly and smiling.
Il see you don't quite like what
say about Francis" he remarked, puff
fling complacently.
| looked him straight in the eye.
Frankly, don't, II you must know" |
blurted. Then | screwed my monocle
tight and Strengthened forward. by
Jove, think you ought to be ashamed
of yourself you know!"
"Wh--whats that?-Lightnut! He
turned a beet color and grasped the
arms of his chair
"Oh, | do" l stood up and he fol-
lowed. u think if that poor child had
had a ittle-er--forbearanc and
kindness-that sort OF thtng-oh, dash
it, just think you've been Internally
harsh always-yes, dol"
We'll, I'll be-" He swallowed 1t,
neck forward, and stood painting bit
Harsh, eh?" he jerked at me. UNI"
He stood there, his feet braced apart
his white brows beetling at the floor
"Harsh!" He cooked his head on one
side, thrusting out his heavy under
lip. Then came a sniff and a grunt,
! and oh, he looked black!
And just then came quick breath,
and | caught a murmur; Il wonder
now If, after all, that is true! By
George, they say children and" The
mutter trailed off. Here, here, my
boy-sit down." he exclaimed sudden
| ly; and he made me.
II want to thank you, Lightnut," he
said impressively. 1T may be that
you are right. Perhaps the better
course would be gently to reason with
Francis
oh, judge, | am sure of It," urged
feelingly.
We'll, well, my boy-well see" he
patted me on the knee. I'm going
to try your way-by George, III do it
tonight" His eyes seemed to hold
me with a more kindly and personal
interest. DO you know | can't tell
you how glad | am that you find so
much in Francis 60 like; indeed, | am
delighted" Still studying me atten-
lively. he musingly reached for fresh
light In point OF fact, Lightnut,
am free to say | hope the intimacy
begun between you two will grow clos
er. 1t would be a laundering good
thing for Francis and a great comfort
to me"
And, by Joye, he smiled at me-a
! deviHsh pleasant smile!
So / just leaned forward and made
a go:
Thanks awfully; and-er-by the
way" Then | stuck, boggled wildly
an instant and went on: That is to
say, this intimacy, you know-has it
been too short to Justify" gulped
"Er-would you be willing to trust
And l lost the dashed idea again,
floundered a bit and took another shy:
"Oh, l say, you know, have l your
permission to speak to Francesca
you know"
You speak to Francis?"-he just
leaped toward me- why, my boy!
And he was wringing my arm with
! one hand while the other Clasped my
shoulder. My de-e-ear boy-whyl