Gilpin observer., 1912-07-11


around like you had pain" Then
he went right on:
Say did you ever see anything SO
corking tine?" He looked up, holding
the ruby in the light. And to think
how little l dreamed OF scooping any.
thing like that when 1 came in here
tonight"
By Jove, this was little too much,
even for an easy-going chap like my
self! The jolly worm will turn. you
know
Dash me, before / knew what / was
doing even. l had moved to his side
and jerked the ruby from his hand.
My face felt like a hot-water bottle as
did 1t.
You haven't got it yet" said,
"and I'll take devilish good care you
don't get It,"
He fell back as though from a blow
"Why-why. old chap Why, Light.
mutt" he gasped. Whats the mat
ter-what makes you look at me like
that?"
Your liberties have gone Just bit
too far, don't you KNOW" said, look
ing steadily in his fishy old eye. I've
had enough Of you, by Jove, that's
ALL"
He stared at me, and l could hear
him breathing like a blacksmith's bel
lows. l would never have thought he
had such lungs.
Slowly his hand came out, and dash
me II 1t wasn't shaking like he had
the delirium what's-its-name But for
his tan, his face would have been as
white as his hypocritical old whiskers.
is this some internal joker" His
face summoned sickly smile that al
most instantly faded His hand fell
back to his side. why, old fellow.
you don't think that way about me, do
you? AS for the ruby. IL don't want
1t now-I just want you to accept my
| apology for anything I've done, and
and let me get away"
There was a short laugh from the
doorway.
Likely enough" said Officer
O'Keefe, his big figure swinging for.
ward with long strides. Keep him
covered, Tim!'
He planted himself between us with
a grin.
You're IT again. Foxy! Jig's up.
VIII you go quietly?"
1t did me good to see how complete
ly the old scoundrel was taken back.
His wide distended bleary eyes shift,
ed from O'keefe to me and back again.
1t was a perfect surprise.
| I mOtiODad tn Tonlfpc
door of my friends bedroom, So far.
ne had evidently slept sereneiy
through all the trouble. and, If pos.
sible, | wanted to avoid arousing him
now. For fat man, Billings had the
deuce of temper when stirred up
over anything like an imposition upon
him. and 1t would only add to the con-
fuslon for him to appear on the scene
and learn about his wallet and his
treasured ruby that l had resc ID.
Foxy Grandpa's face had been rap.
Idly undergoing a change. From pal.
lor to pink 1t went; and then from
pink to red. Now 1t was becoming
scarlet. He threw his head back and
faced me angrily.
"Lightnut, will you tell me what the
hell this means?" And his heavy voice
thundered.
Here! Here! Thatll be enough
! o that" cried Officer O'Keefe sharp
ly. None OF your grandstand play
here, or it'll be the worse for you.
And no tricks. Braxton. or"
He clutched his stick menacingly.
"Braxton!" snorted the old fellow.
why, you born fool. my names not
Braxton!"
mot now" grinned O'Keefe. Say,
what is your name now. Foxy?"
MY name" roared Foxy Grandpa,
and paused abruptly. He looked rath.
er blankly from one officer to the
other
See here; do l understand I'm un.
der arrest?" he inquired.
You certainly are talking, Foxy,"
chuckled O'keefe.
Then my names Doe-John Doe"
and thought the fellows quick glance
at me held an appeal. or what sort.
I had no idea.
And what. may ask. Is the
charger" he asked again. with what
was apparently great effort at calm.
ness.