The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-11

G~~--.
Sat There a Moment Swallowing
Hard.
him a nod. "Mr Billings called
through the door-crack-and his voice
was particularly shrill-screechy-lik
very unnatural, strand he said:
You tell him say he'll find it very
dangerous to keep them by him a mo,
ment; tell him my advice is to return
them immediately
Here the butler hesitated an instant
and added: And he said for me to
try to remember three letters I was
to mention-said you would under.
stand"
Three letters?" I repeated DULY.
Eyes, sir, three letters-I did re-
member 'em, too, because they hap.
pened to be the initials Of a young
woman him! @. E. D., sir"
%. E. D.?" 1 said, puzzled and mis-
erable. whats Q. E. d." And then
an idea startled me.
ooh 1 say, you mean-er-P. D. @
-eh, Wilkes?" 1t sounded like Jack!
But he seemed sure he didn't; in,
sisted on Q. E. D. When he had with
drawn, I sat there moment, sWal
lowing hard. By Jove, when a chap
has had the hardest blow of his life,
and that, too, from his best friend,
it's devilish hard to come up smiling
Presently I pulled myself together
Jenkins, as he helped me dress, eyed
me in frightened way, his face kind
of pale and greenish. Neither Of us
said word, but I knew I had his
sympathy, poor fellow-and it helped!
Then, with the parcel in my hand,
marched slowly down the stairs, for
getting even some instructions
should have~given Jenkins.
She was there in the living-room-
she and the trump. And when I saw
her dear face and realized what dis
aster had come between us, l felt
things whirling around me like a jolly
what 's-its-name and dropped my hand
on a chair-back hard, until I could
stiffen and smile up. But, by Jove
she was on!
''Is anything the matter, Mr.. Light
nut?" she asked, coming toward me-
and how kindly, almost tenderly, hel
cuoot faco Softenedt
"Is it anything about Jacky?'' snap
ped the trump.
shook my head and just gently
placed the little wrapped parcel In
Frances hands. My hand shook so
almost dropped it.
"Some-something of yours that was
lost" said, and I knew my voice
shook little, TOO. Il was fortunate
in recovering it." I looked at her
for the last time, I knew-and it was
just my devilish luck that she got
misty and dim. whispered hoarsely:
open when you are alone
And then I walked straight out OF
the house!
A gardener directed me to the park
gates, but there were so many DASHED
curves and terraces l got hopelessly
twisted, and pretty soon didn't know
whether ] was leaving or coming
don't you know. sat down on an iron
bench to think it over, and, by Jove
l must have dozed off, for the first
thing l knew some one yelled my
name, and I looked up to see-Bill.
ings!
He was looking bit soiled and dis
heveled, and his eyes had haunted
look
What the devil are you doing, sit.
ting here?" he demanded.
I'm going said, hurriedly get
ting to my fee. Just resting-I-''
They told me 1 would find you
here" he said. Here you are, sit.
ting out here in the hot sun without
any hat. Good thing, Dicky, you
haven't got any-h'm!" Then he
painted at me: Say, nice way you
and my sister treated mel don't
think! But I'll forgive you this time
Here he linked his arm in mine. I'll
forgive you, if you never say any
thing at the club about those damned
black pajamas-nor in the family,
either Great Scott! l wouldn't have
this get out!"
81 wouldn't think of such thing!"
I exclaimed, immeasurably relieved,
but indignant, as well. He led me
across the turf.
ooh, I've had an awful time, Dicky!
Awful!"-he lifted his .hands-"Ch. l