The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-19

open and stepping into the room; "PlI
get you glass Of water"
water" he exclaimed, following
me in. "Say, don't get funny; it's not
becoming to you" He leered at me
hideously.
He went right to the corner where
stood my cellarette. BY Jove, give
you my word 1 was so devilish stupe-
fed 1 couldn't bring out a word.
wasn't sure what was coming, and as
l didn't want Billings rest disturbed,
I quietly closed the door Of his room.
The old cock in the black pajamas
had uncorked a bottle and was smell
ing its contents. He grimaced over
his shoulder
That's Internally rotten Scotch, I
say!" he exclaimed with sort Of
snort. Regular sell, by George!"
was glad Billings didn't hear him,
for it had been a present from him
only the week before.
Suppose I'll have to go the rye"
he grumbled; and, grinning at me
familiarly, he poured himself drink.
He tossed it off, neat. I reflected that
perhaps he would go quietly now.
We'll" 1 said, advancing. Il ex-
pect you're anxious to get to your
quarters, so I'll say good night" I
extended my hand. That ought to
fetch him." 1 thought, IF he's gen.
tleman, no matter how jolly corked he
may BE-"
In my grasp his hand felt like a
small boxing glove, but when I
glanced at it 1 saw that it was not
unusual
The old duck pumped my arm SOL
emnly and cast his eyes to the cell
ing.
"Fa-are-we-e-l1, old f-friend!" he
murmured in husky tremolo, defect
ing the corners Of his mouth and
wagging his bald pate. eff 1 don't
see you again I'll have the river
dragged"
And then, instead of going, dash me
If the old fool didn't flop down into
Billings favorite chair and reach for
Billings cigarettes that he had left
on the tabouret.
He waved his hand at me. "Oh, you
go to bed, Lightnut," he said, putting
away with iron nerve. "All the sleeps
out Of me, dammit I'll just sit here
and read and smoke as long as I like,
then I'll go in there and turn in" A
jerk Of his doddering head indicated
Billings room.
By Jove, I hardly knew what to do!
I was regularly bowled over, don't
you know. was up against crisis
that's what-a crisis.
"Oh, l say, you know" 1 started
demonstrating, and just then gasped
with relief at the welcome sight Of
Jenkins, peeking round the door
frame behind my visitors back. His
finger was on his lips and he beck
oned me earnestly.
At the same moment old whiskers
showed his chair up to the table,
switched on the reading-lamp and
reached for a magazine.
I'm on, SIR" whispered jenkins,
as I joined him and we stepped aside.
Hadn't 1 better ring up the janitor
on my house 'phone?"
"By Jove, the very thing" I agreed.
For he'll know where this chap be-
longs. A flyer, tell him, If he gets a
move on. Hurry!"
I slipped back into the room as
Jenkins disappeared. The jolly old
barnacle had discarded his cigarette
and was critically selecting a cigar
from my humidor.
81 don't see why the devil you don't
go to bed" he said, fixing himself
comfortably with two chairs and light
ing up.
Tin not sleepy" I stammered,
percbing on the corner Of chair.
81 believe you're lying" he growled,
scowling at me; "but if you're not
sleepy, listen to this joke here-1ts
chestnut, but it's Internally good"
| never did know what the joke
was, for 1 was listening for other
sounds as he read Suddenly heard
a whistle far down in the street; and
I thought it was followed by pat
ter Of running feet.
Then came the quivering rhythm OF
the elevator rapidly ascending, and
while the anecdote was still being
droned out between chuckles, slipped
out again into the hall and rejoined
Jenkins
"Janitor says there's no such tenant
in this building as l described Jen-
kins impaired hurriedly. Might be
guest, of course; but he doesn't re-
member ever seeing him. So he whis-
tied for cop, to be on the safe side,
and caught two. Here they are, sir"
Out from the elevator sprang the
janitor, half-dressed and looking ex-
cited. Close on his heels came two
big policemen.