The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-10-18

eyes. you can't possibly know what
this means just at this time. Why. IL
you hadn't offered TO speak TO Fran
cis. it's not likely that any N else
ever would"
Judge" l calculated, shocked.
Who would want to-" And ne
grimaced horribly.
"Oh. | say now" protested warm.
ly.
My boy. I tell you I know-you
don't" lie lifted his hand eloquent,y.
detecting the corners of his mouth
oh. such a way. NO. stree. | tell you
| there's not another living man would
dare chance it," lie threw himself
backward. putting his checks at me
aud walling his eyes rrightfully. In
fact, Observation-Disclosures Francis Is
known. there have beer two men
only just two-who eyer had the te-
merity 10 do H."
oh" ! commented. Wondered n
one OF these was the other chap she
was engaged to.
He proceeded impressively: "One
OF these. my dear SIR. was u rector
"a most charming and venerable old
man. now nearly eighty-three and par
TALLY paralyzed and deaf: lives a
sweet, patient life all alone. you know,
with no one In the world TO care for
him. Well. sir" he stiffcned dramat.
ically. leveling one finger at me. do
you think that Francis would even
listen 70 him."
Did I? Well. dash II. did I?
But | tried TO humble something
polite.
And then" he pulled as he re-
lighted his cigar. there's Jacks chauf.
feur. you know"
Ell, Jack's-what's that" gripped
the arms Of my chair.
Yes" he nodded. Jacks chauf.
feur. oh, I was SO disappointed at
the result OF his effort" The old
gentleman slipped back In his chat
with a sigh. Francis just swore at
him, you know"
by Jove." | managed TO get out
and yet, somehow. / was devilish
pleased o IL.
You see?" And he spread out his
hands. Absolutely no sense OF ap.
probation. YOU observe: and It had
seemed such a splendid chance! You
see they had been 80 intimate-oh,
are still. for that matter"
caught my breath. "In-intimate."
stammered. You don't mean Fran.
ces and this chauffeur"
"Oh. yes.' carelessly. "Scoggins is
all right: very superior young man
for his position-fond OF Francis, you
know. and ! really think has great in.
fluence." He pulled complacently an
instant. Fact is, they are always to.
gether when Francis Is home"-pur
motoring. boating. or else or some
where camping together"
"Wha-at-what's that-not camp
ing?" I looked at him aghast. oh.
come now. judge-really you don't
mean that. do you-not camping to-
gether?"
I spoke excitedly. out he just stared
at me with an expression OF blank sur.
prise.
Eth? Why, certainly, my dear boy
for weeks at a time-and why not?"
His shift manifested some Impotence.
"Pshaw, Lightnut." he growled. flick
ing his ash. what's the odds-why be
so particular? | don't mind" lie
damned his hands into his trousers
pockets till II seemed he would 10
through them. Il tell you. I'm glad
I'm democratic!"
OH" | uttered. seeing a light.
So that was It. Well, In any case,
I knew now that I was a republican,
by Jove. Never did know before
what l was and II was a devilish re.
lief to find out. Half made up my
mind. then and there, I would vote
next election-never had. you know;
few Of our set ever did. Pugsley, for
one. held II to be doubtful form.
Bright. self-made young man."
caught as ! came back. BY Jove. he
was still talking about that beastly
chauffeur! Such fine morals. you
know"
oH, udSH u, ycs! Anu i tnlnk
this must have been when I | broke the
corner out Of a filling.
That was why | was SO sorry ne
failed with Francis" he continued re-
gretfully: but you may succeed bet
ter-oh, I don't know but what II will
do just as WE'LL"
Misunderstanding" muir
INJURED weakly.
"Oh. I think so--oh. yes!" He bobbed
his head as though he were quite re-
signed to it-then vent on thought
fully:
And anyhow, II Francis finds you
are in deadly earnest. why it" His
voice dropped OF musingly: "Wcli. I
believe that would make II easier
oh, lots easier for S%coggins.".
| blinked a little with my free eye.
,rn ms -D~rrrN,y,rn