Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-09-04

thing like that when | came in here
tonight"
BY Jove, this was a 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. / had moved TO his side
and jerked the ruby from his hand
My face felt like hotwater bottle az
| did t.
you haven't got 1t yet" said,
"and I'll take devilish good care you
don't get IT,"
He fell back as though from blow
"Why-why. old chap! Why, Light
mutt" he gasped. What's the mat
ter-what makes you look at me like
that?"
Your liberties have gone just a BIZ
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 / could hear
him breathing like a blacksmith's bel
lows. / would never have thought ht
had such lungs
Slowly his hand came out, and dash
me II II 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 whlskers
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, dc
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 Officel
O'Keefe, his big figure swinging for
ward with long strides. Keep hin
covered, Tint"
He planted himself between us with
a grin.
You're 1T again, Foxy! Jig's up
WIN 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.
l motioned to Jenkins to close tn,
door of my friends bedroom, So far
he had evidently slept serenel,
through all the trouble, and, If pos
sible, wanted to avoid arousing hin
now. For fat man, Billings had tn,
deuce of temper when stirred VI
over anything like an imposition upol
him, and 1t would only add to the con
fusion for him to appear on the seen
! and learn about his wallet and hi
treasured ruby that had rescued.
Foxy Grandpa's face had been raj
J idly undergoing change. From pa
} Tor to pink it went; and then frou
pink to red. Now it was becomin
d, scarlet He threw his head back an
faced me angrily.
5 Llghtnut, VIII you tell me what tn
;. hell this means?" And his heavy voic
5 Numbered.
: Here! Here! Thatll be enoug
j O. that" cried officer O'Keefe sharI
ly. None of your grandstand pla
+ here, or it'll be the worse for YOU
t And no tricks, Braxton, or"
= He clutched his stick menacingly
i "Braxton!" snorted the old fellow
!, why, you born fool, my names nc
Braxton!"
l mot now" grinned O'Keefe. "Sa.
I what is your name now, Foxy?"
t MY name" roared Foxy Grandp
g and paused abruptly. He looked ratl
q er blankly from one officer to tn
Il other
:, See here; do l understand I'm III
l. der arrest?" he inquired.
d You certainly are talking. Foxy
chuckled O'Keefe.
h "Then my names Doe-John Doe
g and thought the fellows quick glanC
II at me held an appeal. or what sol
n had no idea.
And what, may ask, is Il
o charger" he asked again, with VIII
g was apparently a great effort at cali
ness.
Y (TO BE CoNTINUED)