The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-02-08

q search for sheets and pillow cases.
Tho girls took. one room, the men the
other.
The Watermelon was having the
time Of his young life. Abstract prob.
lens Of right and wrong did not trou.
BILE him. He took each event % II
came and never fretted about 1t when
It was over or worried about the next
to come. Bachelor would probably
try to make trouble. but II Bartlett
were as successful - he hoped to be.
and kept on getting lost, there was lit.
tie danger from that source. Bartlett,
desiring secrecy as much 40 the Wa,
termelou, had efectually silenced the
enterprising reporter at the hotel.
1t was early when Bartlett awoke.
He yawned and stretched, slsueius
with amusement at the general, still
raising melodious sounds Of slumbel
from the couch at the foot Of the bed.
Then suddenly he became aware that
the place at his side was empty, that
the Watermelon was gone. He crawled
stealthily out of bed and dressed, allsd
with misgivings.
: Bachelor had consented 80 readily
the day before to come with them that
now. when he had had time to think II
over, he might have regretted his de.
cision and be already on the way to
the railroad. somewhere. His had been
the master mind to conceive the check
and ruination of the cotton scheme
and surely he would see the folly IN
what he had done the day before. when
lured on by the pretty, bewitchins
Billy. He would realize now in the
clear light Of day that he must return
to the city or get word to HE brokers
somehow. He might even then be In
a telegraph ONCE. sending dispatch
Of far.reaching importance.
Bartlett dressed with feverish haste
and hurried out to the side porch,
The Watermelon was there, sitting In
the sun, his feet hanging over the
edge Of the porch, talking carelessly
with the immobile Alphonse. Both
were smoking and both had apparent
~ been up for some time. Had Batch.
elor been to tho village and tele.
Eraphed already! He would have had
time to go and return II he had used
one Of the cars.
The Watermelon looked up. Hello
said he.
"Hello." said Bartlett "Been "
long?"
mot 20 long," said the Watermelon
~Are the cars all rightf" asked Bart
lett.
II haven't been to see," said the
Watermelon. rolling another cigarette
Bartlett drew sigh OF relief and
started after Alphonse for the shed
beside the barn. The Watermelon
had not had time to walk to the vii
lage and back. besides telegraphing
Bartlett paused and glanced over hi
shoulder.
aren't you comingi''
NO." said the Watermelon. II amt
bugs about the gasoline buggies."
Bartlett walked on, shrewdly guess
Ing that the languid youth was wait
ing for Billy. Her charms, It seemed
had not grown any less effective. HI
decided that he would not try to get II
touch with his broker. He could trust
him to take care of the city end Of
the business II Bachelor were to be
eliminated until the following Sunday
Bartlett admitted to himself, as he
gazed abstractedly at the shining
cars. that the young man had not ap
peared visibly impressed either BY
himself or the general. But Bachelor
was clever and would hide his elation
The Watermelon's slow drawl al
last aroused him.
"Cut It," said the Watermelon
THE cops are coming"
One OF New York's leading citizens
bank president and corporation direc
tor, felt q slow, cold. clammy chill
creeping up his spinal column. His
first instructive desire. like that Of
the small boy caught robbing an apple
orchard. was to hide. Last night wa
one Of those unfortunate occurrences
1t were best to pass over in silence
He turned and glanced at the house
The place looked deserted in the morn
LIB 0uAouAAc' mo Ulluu6 were OIAWu
the doors shut. The general and the
girls apparently still slept. and nc
country variety of New York's finest
with warrant and shotgun could be
seen approaching. Alphonse looked
up from the car and gazed moment
at the house with the scornful indif
ference for the law and its minions Of
the confirmed joy.rider.
Il do not see anyone" said Bartlett,
with calm dignity.
'1qey are creeping up on u.s." SAID
the Watermelon cheerfully. Trust
he rube to- do the thing up in style.
Three men came along. They stopped
down by the gate and talked, pointing
up here, then ono ran on to the VII
age to get help, suppose. and the
other two are waiting down there"
Il will go and explain that it was q
mistake" said Bartlett.
"Now, don't do that" adjured the
Watermelon. It was Just possible that
the police had already picked up his
trail and he preferred the chance Of