The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-04-18

as comfortable here as | would bs al
the club--so don't worry any about
me, old chap. BY the way, want to
thank you for taking care OF the KID.
Got home all right, understand
He plunked like a Jolly elephant M
to the largest and most comfortable
chair in the room and wheezed for
breath
And. Jenkins!" He raised one fat
finger while he took a gasp. Don I
mind II | do have a package OF
Dicky's Koroskos and q sloe fixz-not
too sweet, you know; and you may"
Billings broke OF suddenly. Then
he climbed heavily TO his feet, and
without warning, heaved himself
across the room and seized the button
! had Just uncovered Dashed II he
didn't almost upset me-
Here, sayl" | protested. Don't
lose that CAP" picked 1t up from
where he had jerked It to the floor.
ITS the cover to hide tina: glass, you
know"
"Wh-a-a-t"
Billings swung round, staring at me
with the most curious expression.
See here. Dicky," he exclaimed
rather excitedly, but in a low tone, as
he cut side glance at Jenkins 81
phoning the fizz over at the cellarette
What in thunder have you been do
ing now"
BY Jove, | turned cold for a minute,
| was that startled. | thought he was
going to use the pajamas as an intro
In minute l saw that he did not
mean that.
Where on earth did you get any
thing like this?"
"Oh. | say now" | demonstrated,
alarm changing to a mild dudgeon.
Billings devilish rude manners are 30
offensive at times. What do you
mean? It's a present from q friend
In China"
Present." Billings eyes bulged
pering: Did he know what this but
ton was?"
why, Of course he didn't" | an
swered Indignantly. Never dreamed
OF It. Of course. ! tell you, It was all
nicely covered. was what-you call-it--
upholstered. you know-with devilish
nice silk. | cut It off accidentally,
trying TO force the thing through that
loop. That left the marble exposed"
Billings took the glass mechanically
from the tray rendered by Jenkins and
slipped 1t slowly, eying me curiously
over the top. Then he set II back.
very deliberately. wiped his mouth
with the bit Of napery. and without
taking his glance from me, waited un.
al jenkins had left the room. Where
upon, after another searching look at
the button, ne dropped 1t with the
garment upon the table, and with
hands jammed deep in his pockets.
faced me with long-drawn whistle.
We'll, I'll be hanged" he ex-
claimed. Just a coarse, vulgar out
burst, you know-no sense to It; no
point at all. you know-that's Bill.
ings
lie caught up the coat again. And
these others-four of them-are they
Just the same?" he demanded sharply.
Dash 1t. how should | know? l
suppose So" | answered indifferently.
And | closed my eyes and leaned back,
feeling a bit-just a bit-weary. Some
how, Billings Is always so exhausting
when he gets started on something.
"Oh, cut It out, old chap" protest
ed. drowsylike.
Il will" | heard him say. Then 1
guess | must have dropped off bit,
for the next thing | knew he was
shaking me.
"Dicky! Dicky! Say, look here!
Look, tell you"
| did look, and-well, was jolly
vexci, that's ali.
"Oh, say now!" | spoke severely
Just that way, you know. / went on,
demonstrating: "Devilish silly joke. II
you ask me- You've gone and ruined
the thing, Billings. Flashy buttons
like that, you know-too tawdry. too
cheap"
"Cheapl" He almost shouted 1t.
Then he leaned over the back of the
leather chair and pounded his fat head
against the cushions, writhing his big
bulk from side to side.
Quite impossible" | said firmly
Not en- regle at all, you know" And
I fixed my glass and stared gloomtly
AT the things. The Ave shiny buttCal
lust lay there against the delicaal
silk like so many fiery crimson chss
rtes.
He leered at me, chuckling. "Lool
cheap TO you, en-! What you NIGH
call outre. so to speak,"
| by Jove, of course" | answered
ruefully. 81 can't sleep In the thing
now, you know. What would peopl'
say?'
| Billings stared at me disagreeabll
moment and said something unds
his breath. Then he caught up tn
buttons and the silk, and crushinI
them in his hands, buried his fwos. +
the mass.
:. "Oh you beauties. you darlings!"
heard him murmuf.
r5sd Ss HckS3 AZ the Suttun
! again. and dasA Il h0 kisseA m.