Catoctin clarion., 1916-03-02
AN ALIBI FOR BOND
sIsIsEsT9IaTsIs[aNsIs]IsIaIsEa

put into shape" This remark al
dressed by Frank Bond, Sr., to Franz
Bond, Jr., on the eve of the former
departure for a weekend trip to the
country was the wet blanket upon the
plans that the younger Bond had been
LAYING for his own weekend diversion
When the bolt fell he was driving the
car in question home from business
and to vent his feelings he sounded
the horn with unusual vigor.
There are several little things that
need attention and there will be all
day Saturday to do it in"
Bond, junior, merely grunted and
turned an unnecessary sharp corner.
That night he took little interest IN
the plans of his elders for their short
weekend trip. His mind was too full
of his own plans that had been frus'
trated. He had been so confident when
he had laid them before Molly, and
Molly's blue eyes had danced so mer'
rily as she made plans for the picnic
luncheon which she would prepare
With her own fair hands. If only he
hadn't been so sure, il he had only left
a loophole through which he could
make his exit.
With the explanation that he was
going down town for while,' ne
sauntered out after dinner In the di-
rection Of Mollys house.
Just as he passed Gink's garage
Bond, Junior, had an inspiration-not
a very brilliant one, but one which,
like the proverbial straw, was at least
worth snatching at.
Frank sauntered into the gloomy,
badly lighted concrete interior, care
fully stamping out the cigarette that
he had been smoking as he moodily
regarded the mo Smoking sign,
Ginks. junior. approached him, wiping
gasoline from his hands.
Say, Ginks," Frank said, with what
he took to be an interesting tone OF
despondency in his voice, "the COVER
nor is going to bring the car around
early in the morning to have some re-
pairs done-nothing that needs to be
done Immediately, but some little jobs.
Listen to me! You can't fix it. You
haven't time. In fact, you won't have
room in the garage for it."
Wake up" muttered Bond. Il said
YOU wouldn't be able to fix the car.
and, by the way any time you want to
use my baseball pass it's yours DO
you get me?'
Ginks grinned. 81 get you Got a
lady friend?"
Never you mind what I've got. Just
you take the hint If you know whats s
healthy for you
well, of course" stammered Ginks,
Junior, 81 know how you feel about it.
Got a girl of my own
Rather resenting this piece Of IA.
miliarity on the part Of the young son
of the garage owner, Bond went on
toward the home of Molly. There was
an air of thwarted ambition in Bond s
manner that night that rather egged
Molly on to unusual vivacity and SYM
pathy. On leaving he remembered the
loophole,
ITS barely possible" he remarked,
wearily regarding the brim of his hat,
that the car will be out Of commits
sion tomorrow. I'm awfully sorry and
if 1t is I'll let you know very early.
The plan of Bond, junior, aided and
abetted by Ginks, junior, worked ad,
mirably in the morning and Bond,
senior, ran the car back into his gar
age without the shadow of suspi,
cion.
Saturday was fair and the shoe
string that held the disconnected
speedometer was strong enough for
it's task and did not give way. Molly
was especially charming.
Monday the car was safely locked In
the Bond garage, and Mr. and Mrs.
Bond had come home in high glee.
There was no hint of trouble until
Tuesday noon when Mrs. Bond at
luncheon began by showing especial
solicitude for Bond, junior, which
Bond, Junior was wise enough to
know meant that Bond senior, was in
wrong. Toward her husband she wore
an air of injured innocence. Some
thing had made her jealous. Bond
junior, was sure Of that.
In the hall, after dinner, he caught
the son by the coat sleeve.
81 want to see you in the garage
he said.
Son" began the father, when they
had reached the small automobile
shelter, I'm in real predicament and
maybe you can help me out. You know
yesterday went around with some OF
| my clients. Some of them are women
and one of them is blonde, and your
mother knows it. This morning she
found this slipped in the back cush
ion."
Bond, senior, produced from his coat
pocket a single golden wire hair pin
That's what's the matter with her. II
you can prove an alibi for me it will
be all right. II you could say, for in
stance, that you had been out with 9
blonde on Saturday when we were
away would give you my blessing"
Bond, junior Strengthened up a
new feeling Of chumminess for his ia
ther welled up within him and braceo
him for his confession.
:'Yes," he said, "I'll do it, and, dad
do you mind giving me that little hair
pin. Just as a token. You know ! an
pretty fond of Molly
Copyright, 1915. by Mcclure Newsrape
Syndicate)
They Like 1t.