The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-12-20


1T is a phanaeus carnifex," said the
professor positively.
BY Jove. Il looked to me like what
We used TO call a dung beetle!
And then the two cranks went out
In the sun with butterfly nets, ana
Frances and drifted out to our pa
vilion overlooking the broad sweep OF
the Tappan Zee. As yet, her father
had said nothing to me. but I knew
that the blow might fall any moment
Only the arrival Of the frumps father
had so far saved me.
In the evening. the younger brother
showed up at dinner. but sulked. which
thought under the circumstances was
about the most considerate thing he
could have done
Once during the evening. Billings.
who had been talking with the pro
fessor, turned TO me. by the way.
Dicky-those pajamas, you know
what did you do with them this morn
ing?" He and the professor whis-
pered again; then Billings turned
back. Gray paper parcel-um--you
know"
Know? Dash II, of course | knew.
but l.
Why, have them now" came
quietly from my companion. thanks
to MIR. Lightnut. lie gave them to
me this morning"
Gave them to you" gasped Bill
linss. He whispered to me: But the
rubies. you cuckoo-you didn't give
her those?"
Rubies? Dash IL, had to think
hard to remember what had become
OF the rubies. But | got the idea.
Why. the professor has those" I
reminded him. The red pajamas. you
know--don't you remember" | drew
him aside.
Billings stared But he says he
returned them" he exclaimed. cutting
an odd sidewise look at the professor,
who was talking to Frances and the
trump. Billings frowned.
Haven't seen them" said care
lessly. for ! wanted to talk TO her.
"Oh. dash the rubies-wait till morn.
ing"
Billings looked sourly at the pro-
lessor and went of and sat alone. lie
seemed put out about the old boy not
returning the garments. Never seemed
to occur TO him that the professor was
devilish busy and absent minded old
chap. Might not return them for a
month. ! knew that.
oh. really. Frances" the trump
was saying. How exceedingly nice OF
you, dear" The professor was oc-
cupied for the moment with a moth.
Il hope ! won't brighten you in them
as you~say your maid was frightened
at you. IL pajamas are unbecoming
to you. why just imagine me in them!"
BY Jove. i was devilish glad | was
not supposed to hear. for didn't want
to be required to imagine IT, But as
for them being unbecoming to my
darling-well. knew she knew what
thought!
Later, when the evening had shaded
on and the ladies had left us, We sat
In the smoking.room talking TIL late.
/ was astonished 10 find Foxy Grand.
pa devilish entertaining and clever
not bad sort at all. He seemed to
have no recollection Of me at all. and
therefore no grudges. | had made up
my mind by this time wasn't going
TO marry the trump. no matter what
came or what Billings wanted. and 1
would tell him so in the morning. But
whoever did marry her-and II looked
like II was going to be the professor
would have some sort OF compensa-
ton In Foxy Grandpa's entertaining
stories OF Eastern scandal.
Billings cub brother smoked in a
corner OF the room by himself and
drank innumerable slugs OF whisky
straight. Once saw his father go
over to him and seem TO demonstrate.
but without effect.
Billings wanted his father to try nv
special import OF cigarettes. SO I sent
for jenkins. who had arrived, to bring
some down. And when he saw Foxy
Grandpa calmly sitting there by me.
pulling at straw. he almost lost his
balance. But I shook my head with
covert warning.
Ever see me before>-eh?" asked
the cub harshly. as he waved aside
the cigarettes Jenkins extended: Last
Wednesday night-remember?"
Yes, SIR" replied Jenkins. hesitat
ingly. Then he rolled an eve nj mo
and corrected himself hastily but firm.
ly:
mo, sir: don't recall ever seeing
you before, sir"
or course, knew he had not. but
the cub got up with n sour laugh.
Then with n murmured gruff apology.
he withdrew. saying he had a head
ache and was going to bed. And. by
Jove. what look he gave me from
the door!
CTO ne CoNTINr1rp,