The Grenada sentinel., 1912-07-26

Olu cuap' Odue, JeLhiuS. GTedt pledS-
ure, assure you-won't inconvenience
at all. Gloves, Jenkins! Just give
me something to sleep in, and I'll be
as comfortable here as l would be at
the club-so don't worry any about
me. old chap. By the way, want to
thank you for taking care of the kid.
Got home all right, understand
He plunked like a jolly elephant in
to the largest and most comfortable
chair in the room and wheezed for
breath
And, Jenkins!" He raised one fat
finger while he took a gasp. Don't
mind If / do have package OF
Dicky's Koroskos and a sloe fizz-not
too sweet you know; and you may"
Billings broke off suddenly. Then
he climbed heavily to his feet, and
without warning, heaved himself
across the room and seized the button
| had just uncovered. Dashed If he
didn't almost upset me.
Here, say!" 1 protested. Don't
lose that cap" l picked it up from
where he had jerked it to the floor.
''It's the cover to hide that glass, you
know"
"Wh-a-a-t!"
Billings swung round, staring at me
with the most curious expression.
See here, Dicky," he exclaimed
rather excitedly, but in low tone, as
he cut side glance at Jenkins ST.
phoning the fizz over at the cellarette.
What In thunder have you been do
ing now?"
BY Jove, turned cold for minute,
was that startled. l 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, l say now" l demonstrated,
alarm changing to mild dudgeon.
Billings devilish rude manners are SO
offensive at times What do you
mean? It's present from Q 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. tell you, 1t was all
nicely covered, was what-you-call-it-
upholstered. you know-with devilish
nice silk. cut 1t OF accidentally,
trying to force the thing through that
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 1t 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 1t; 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 it, how should l know?
suppose so," / answered indifferently
And closed my eyes and leaned back
| h}f-j,,c4 q
how, Billings is always SO exhaustine
when he gets started on something.
"Oh, cut 1t out, old chap" protest
ed. drowsy-like.
4. Il WILL" | heard him say. Then
guess | must have dropped off a bit
for the next thing l knew he wa.
shaking me.
"Dicky! Dicky! Say, look here
Look, tell you."
did look, and-well. l was joll!
vexed. that's all.
"Oh, say now!" I spoke severely
just that way, you know. went or
demonstrating: "Devilish silly joke, i
you ask me. You've gone and RUNE
the thing, Billings! Flashy button
like that, you know-too tawdry, to
cheap"
4 Cheap" He almost shouted Il
Then he leaned over the back of tn
leather chair and pounded his fat hea
against the cushions, writhing his bi
bulk from side to side.
Quite impossible" said firml,
Not en- regle at all, you know!" An
, fixed my glass and stared gloomil
!. at the things. The five shiny button
just lay there against the delicat
silk like SO many fiery crimson che
ries.
| He leered at me, chuckling. Loo
cheap to you, eh? What you mig.
call outre, SO to speak?"
t by Jove, of course" answere
rucfully. Il can't sleep in the thlnl
now, you know. What would peop
r say?"
[ Billings stared at me disagreeab
t moment and said something und,
his breath. Then he caught up IL
5 buttons and the silk. and crnshii
them In his hands, buried his face
} the mass.