Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-05-16

frightened deer. But IL was the last
car, and l blocked the aisle. / didn't
realize at the time that l was doing
it. 1t came to me afterward, and was
one of the things l kicked myself
about for hours, more or less. Just
at the moment l was so dashed wild
about setting myself right with her
The only other thing had presence
of mind to remember was the near
ness about us OF lot of beady-eyed
cats, and so l drew nearer and low.
cred my voice so none could hear.
For / had another feeling OF inspira.
ton as to what really was the matter
with herl
why, Frances-sweetheart j
pleaded softly-just loud enough for
her to hear above the train, II know
you are put out with me because you
found me gone the next morning, but
honestly, dear, acted for the best
indeed, did" And to be on the safe
side, I profited by another inspira.
ton: And, my darling girl, I'll never
mention the pajamas and the other
night-never any more-as long as we
live, nor the cigarettes nor cigars nor
whisky. Why, don't care if you"
"Tarrytown-all out for larry.
town." came in a high tenor voice
from the end of the car and some
thing bowled down the aisle and
brushed me aside. 1t was the trump,
Come on, Frances!" she exclaimed
sharply; our station" Next instant
they were streaking it for the door,
with me good second. | saw Fran.
ces look behind once with-oh, such
a look! Dashed if it didn't shrivel
me, you know--that sort. And, by
Jove, knew Pugsley was right, and
that had failed to put the ball over!
l was not six feet behind as they
scrambled through the station to the
other side where a large car stood
painting. l saw Frances clutch the
frump's arm and whisper something,
and heard the frumps reply, for her
voice was loud and strongly mascu-
line.
"Crazy?" she raped. Nonsense!
Drunk, more likely. Most of them are
half the time"
didn't have time to see what she
referred to, for just then we reached
the side of the car. l didn't see a
thing Of Billings, but the chauffeur
jumped to the ground and received
the ladies and their bags. He seemed
to me devilish familiar, too. By Jove,
the way he held my darling's hand
was the most Internally audacious,
outrageous thing ever beheld! l
should have liked to punch his head.
He helped them into the tonneau and
was 80 busy with his silly jackass
chatter that he closed the door before
he turned and saw me. l was Just
standing there, leaning a little for
ward with my cane. you know, and
fixing my monocle reproachfully on
Frances-trying to get her eye.
And then, by Jove, l felt blow on
my shoulder that almost bowled me
over, for had my legs crossed, you
know. .-
Well, I'll be hang-it's Dicky!"
And he was grinning at me like q
whAt's-its-namo cat. And with the grin
I recognized him! 1t was the fresh
young fool who had been 80 devilish
familiar at the pier the morning
Frances. Lett.
Thea he banged me again. dash 1t,
sAd tried - set my hand. but I put
g. behiad me- But he did get my
arm, and he turned toward the car.
lHs voice dropped.
See here. ! want you 10 meet
Eh?" He broke of, staring at ne
trump. who was making signs with
her eyes, browning and reckoning him
with her green nower-pot. He left
me, murmuring something, and step.
ped to the running-board. could see
the fower-pot bobbing about ener'
getically and twice Frances nodded,
1t seemed to me reluctantly.
"Crazy-drunk? Pshaw, you're bat.
ty!" he said to the trump rudely
Then heard another murmur and
his harsh voice rose again. yes
Lightnut, tell you-Dicky Lightnut
Yes-Jack Billings great friend. You
| just wait till he's back from the city
and If he don't get upon his hind
| En-, WHAT: his udiue 10 0lullA' ndlS'
All this time l was just standing
there, trying to catch Frances eye
felt sure if l could catch her eye
she would see how devilish sorry
was. l moved back few feet, for
dash 1t, without a sign from her,
had no idea now, OF course, OF con
siderlng myself as one Of the party
Not finding Billings with the car, and
the information l caught that he was
still In the city, just left me higt
| and dry yn,, Gpnuu