Evening star., 1918-05-26
By Ellis arker Butler

by-Flubb maintained an extreme dig.
nifty on a stiff chair as far from RoS-
by Ridge as she could get. Mr.. Bunk.
er uttered a CHEEKY Good morning"
and cast a glance at Mrs Featherby-
Flubb's lap. As he had expected. her
purse lay in her lap, and il was
plump, as II It had swallowed, but
not yet digested, large roll of bills.
As Mr.. Bunker greeted the three
Roxby Ridge came forward.
I'm sorry. old man." he said. but
/ think we'll have Ito excuse you thn
morning. No offense. but we are goa
ing to have little family affair.
Strangers not wanted. you under
stand"
Mr.. Bunker carefully adjusted his
spectacles and beamed on Roxby
Ridge.
Young man." he said. with the ut
most good nature. do you be Roxby
Ridge?"
Am 1? You know I am"
BE you the painter that painted
that picture OF a dollar bill yonder?'
You ought to know" said Mr..
Ridge: Didn't you see me do it?"
ing glass and looked at the picture OF
the dollar bill carefully. Then he
turned to Roxby Ridge.
Young feller." said Mr.. Bunker
arrestin' a nice boy like you for
maxim counterfeit OF United States
silver certificate number R523s65ssR,
but when feller can make a copy
gerous feller, and duty IS duty"
Mr.. Bunker took from his pocket q
glittering badge and pinned 1t on his
waistcoat Then he buttoned his coat
notice that II was badge such as is
worn by lieutenants in the street.
cleaning department of the city of
New York; For moment Roxby
Ridge stood speechless. Then:
But, my dear man. art is"
Mrs. Featherby-Flubb pushed for
ward and brushed Roxby Ridge aside.
Her face was red with anger.
What Is your name?" she asked
"Jabez Bunker. ma'am." said Mr..
Bunker
Wen, Mr.. Jabez Bunker" she cried.
Il think you are a sneak. I think YOU
are in very low business, doing a
spy's work. But suppose you like IL.
l want to say just one word to you,"
She led him to corner Of the studio
and turned her back on Roxby and
drew out the roll Of bills. Keeping
them hidden from Ann and Roxy. she
"Yes?" was the one word she said.
Mr.. Bunker took the bills and slipped
the window, and Mrs. Featherby-
Flubb walked to the easel and took
the counterfeit presentment of the
dollar silver certificate and dropped
It on the floor. She put her high heel
through 1t and then tore it to shreds
She tucked the shreds into her purse.
Mr. Bunker" she said haughtily,
Il consider your presence here abso.
1utely unwarranted. There is no evi.
dence whatever that any crime has
been committed"
We'll. ma'am. guess you're right"
he said. Il reckon I was mistaken.
don't see nothin' to complain to the
government about. Ny eyesight amt
I saw somethin' that looked like .
dollar bill. but maybe it was picture
of a moldy Shoe"
''Of courseI" said Roxby Ridge in
stantly: and he placed the picture Of
the moldy shoe on the easel This 10
what you saw, isn't it?"
Il reckon said Mr.. Bunker cheerfully
well. take it along! Take It
along" urged Roxby. Take it and
clear out"
he did take it, and he did clear out.
And now" said Mrs. Featherby-
Flubb. 'I have had enough of this.
You see what you have led me into.
Ann. Do you still insist on marrying
this paint creature?"
How much did he cost you this time,
Ma ." Ann asked.
ct paid that spy creature $1,000"
said Mrs. Featherby-Flubb bitterly
Ann lighted a fresh cigarette. She
puffed it until there was enough ash
to flick off, and then she flicked.
"Oh! I'm not so crazy about this
: wedding-beil stuff" she said. Il guess
I'll drop you, Rox. I'm strong for
artist art. and I might be strong for
counterfeit art, but I guess art and
art-both kinds at once-is too much
for Ann"
Thank goodness" said Mrs. Feath-
erby-Flubb.
That evening Mr.. Bunker sat at his
table. above which hung a beautifully
exact portrait of a moldy shoe, and
again took his pen in hand.
'I thorght, Jabe." said dear old
Grandma Bunker, you was finished
up with that there bunco case?"
so / be, Ma said Mr.. Bunker. 80
be. I got just one more letter to
write.
He put his tongue in his cheek and
wrote:
Mrs. Featherby- -Flubb: You done
me a wrong when you called me Q
low-down spy. / amt nothing so
mean. I'm a bunco man."
Then he felt at peace with all the
world.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure syndicate)