Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-10-25

az Joe, I've done a good many
favors for you, and'-
1--WE got to see a man." Mr.. Bullitt
interrupted. "Lemme go. Silly Bill.
There's somebody l got to see right
away, before the next dance begins.
got to-! Honest l have!!'
William seized him passionately by
the lapels of his coat. Listen, Joe.
For goodness sake can't you listen a
minute? You got to give me-
Honest, Bill" his friend expostu-
lated, backing away as forcefully as
possible. 81 got to find a fellow that's
here tonight and ask him about solse-
thing important before
"Ye gods! Can't you wait a min
ute?' William cried, keeping his gl.7
upon Joe's lapels. "You got to give
me anyway two out Of all your dances
with her! You heard her tell me youc'.
self that she'd be willing if you or
Johnnie Or
"Well, l only got five or six with her
and a couple extras. Johnnie's got
seven. Whyn't you go after Johnnie?
1 bet he'd help you out, all right, if
you kept after him. What you want
to poster ne FOR, Bill?'
William swallowed, and, increasing
the affectionale desperation of his
clutch upon Mr.. Bullitt's lapels, "Joe,"
he began hnskily-'Joe, if Id got six
regular and two extras With Miss Pratt
her last night here, and you got here
late, and it wasn't your fault
couldn't help being late, could 1? 1t
wasn't my fault l was late, l guess,
was it? Well, if | was in your place
l wouldn't act the way you and John
ME do-not in a thousand years l
wouldn't. I'd SaT You want Il couple
O my dances With Miss Pratt, ole man?
Why, certainly y
Eyes. you Would." was the cynical
comment OF Mr.. Bullitt, whose avcrted
face and reluctant shoulders Indicated
4 strong desire to conclude the inter-
view. Tonight especially" he added.
Look here, joe" said William des-
perately,'F"don't you realize that this
is the very last night Miss Pratt's 60
ing to be in this town."
"You bet l dol" These words, though
vehement, were inaudible, being form
ed in the mind of Mr.. Bullitt, but, for
diplomatic reasons, not projected upon
the air by his vocal organs.
William continued, "Joe, you and l
have been friends ever since you and
l We're boys" He spoke With emotion,
but Joe had no appearance of being
favorably impressed. "And when I
look back" said William, II expect
I've done more favors for you than l
ever have for any 9TH
But Mr.. Bullitt briskly interrupted
this appealing "Reminiscences. "Listen
here, Silly Bill" he said, becoming all
at once friendly and encouraging
"Bill, there's other girls here you can
get dances with. There's one or two
of 'em sittin' around in the yard. You
can have a bully time even if you did
come late" And, with the air Of dis
charging happily all the obligations of
which William had reminded him, he
added, "Ill tell you that much, Bill!'
"Joe, you got to give me anyway
one da'-
"Look!' said Mr.. Bullitt eagerly.
look, sittin' yonder, over under that
tree all by herself! That's a visiting
girl named Miss Boke. She's visiting
some old uncle or something she's got
living here, and I bet you COULD
"Joe, you got to-
II bet that Miss Boxes a good dane
er, Bill" Joe continued warmly. May
Parcher says so. She was trying to
get me to dance with her myself, but
I couldn't or 1 would of. Honest, Bill,
I would Of! Bill, if I was you I'd sail
right in there before anybody else got
a start, and I'd"-
cole man." said William gently,
"you remember the time Miss Pratt
and l had an engagement to go walk
in, and you wouldn't of seen her for
a week on account Of your aunt dyin'
in Kansas City if 1 hadn't let you go
along with us? Ole man, if YOU
But the music sounded for the next
dance, and Joe felt that it was indeed
time to end this uncomfortable con
versation. II got to go, Bill" he said
II got to-"
"Wait just one minute" William i'm
plored. II want to say just this: If
"Here!!" exclaimed Mr.. Bullitt. II
got to go"
IT know it. That's Why
Needless Of remonstrance, Joe
wrenched himself free, for it would
have taken a powerful and ruthless
man to detain him longer. "What you
take me for?' he demanded indignant
ly. II got this with Miss Pratt"
And, evading a hand which still
sought to clutch him. he departed
holly.
Mr.. Parcher's voice expressed o
der a little later rs he recommended
his wife to turn her gaze In the direc-
ton of that Baxter boy" again. "Just
look at him. said Mr.. ParcheR Ellis
face has got more genuine idiocy In 1t
than I've seen around here yet, and
God knows I've been seeing some mir