Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-05-02


the door of my apartment opening
into the outer corridor was standing
ajar. Why, dash it, it was not only
standing, 1t was moving Then sud
denly the broad streak of light from
the corridor widened under the i'm
pulse of freshening breeze, and the
door swung open with bang.
And then heard my name spoken.
BY Jove, I had been standing there
with my mouth open, bobbing my head
like SHY dodo; but, give you my
word, 1 was suddenly wide awake as
. jolly owl wagon!
Away down the corridor, by the
mail chute, q man was standing, read
ing q framed placard. Nothing partic-
ularly remarkable in this. but as the
door banged he turned his head
sharply and CALCULATED:
Dammit! Now, that will wake
Lightnut!"
l was surprised, because couldn't
recall ever having seen him before;
yet, standing as he did under the light,
l had opportunity for devilish good
view.
He was a heavy set old party, rather
baldish, with snowy mutton chops and
a beefy complexion that was jolly we'll
tanned below the hatband line, you
know. The kind Of old hey you size
up as one of the prime feeder sort
and fond of looking on the wine when
it is Oporto red Had something Of
the cut of the retired India colonies
one sees about the Service clubs in
London-straight as lamp post still,
but out of training and in devilish
need Of tapping-that sort of duck,
you know!
What a respectable-looking old par
ty might be up to, wandering around a
bachelor apartment building at three
in the morning, was none of my bust
ness. What's more, you know, l
didn't care jolly hang. But the
thing that dashed me was that just
as I moved toward the door to close
It, he uttered my name again and
came straight toward me as though to
speak.
So had to wait, BY Jove, for I
couldn't close the door In his face.
Awfully rotten thing to do-that, you
know
Lost his floor and wants to in
Quire," I decided.
And then as he toddled across the
last yard and stopped before me,
saw that the old chap was in his night
things-some darkish sort Of pajamas.
by George!" he exclaimed with a
leer that showed his almost toothless
old gums. BET you never would guess
what I got up fort"
No, dash It, I didn't even care to
try. I just coughed little.
He, he!" he giggled. Woke up
and remembered had promised F1os-
sic Fandango Of The Partisan Broil-
ers' q box of steamer flowers. Cad,
she sails at ten: 30 / piled out and
shot of a note to my florist, special
delivery. Been trying to nnd out
from that Internal card back there
when's the FIRST collection from the
box below. You don't know, do your
BY Jove, one OF those fCotin-the'
grave old stagedoor JohnAiss! The
surprise took my breath. l
why. the chsesy old spert!-
thought disgustedIy. And l answered
rather coIdly: SORRY. you know; nc
idea" And opened the door wide.
But the old rascal never moved /;
Just stood there. ehuekliAg horribly.
We'll, she'll DO back IN the fall
he cackled. "And see here. old chap
win introduce you II you like. You
need waking up!"
And here gave Jump and yelled
"Ouch!" .-
For the old fool had dug his thumb
into my ribs. Only then did 1t dawr
on me that he was drunk. OF course
that was it. and unless got rid Of
him the old bore would stand and
twaddle the rest Of the night.
reached for his hand and shook 1t.
Wen have talk about 1t some
time," / said pleasantly. Just now
don't you think we'd better each gel
to bed? So devilish late. you know.
He slapped me on the shoulder with
blow that almost brought me to the
floor. Felt like he struck me with {
ham, don't you know!
fright old chap" he said; ''very
delicately put; won't keep you up an
other minute. Believe I'd like drinl
first. though, If you don't mind"
sz 2 $500, b,