Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1921-02-25

ly why. "Tm the one that's going, aft
er you promise me that you'll stay
here until ten o'clock tomorrow. But
before we come to that, please don't
thank me ever. It's selfish, but I'd
simply love to have you remember me
as Bob or Herv or, at the very worst,
Randy. Won't your"
She looked this way and that before
she let her face ripple to its wondrous
smile.
It'll 60 as far as Randy" she con-
coded mischievously; then the smile
went and the shadow came. But i
really can't stay here, you know"
Mr.. Randolph leaped to his feet,
reached her in single stride and
caught her by both wrists. Look at
met" ne said. "1f you won't promise
to stay here without a break till ten
O'Clock tomorrow and thereafter at
your pleasure, I'll stay myself and
hold you. Now, do you or don't you?
One-two-"
az do"
do whatY inquired Robert.
81 promise"
Make yourself absolutely at home,
then" he said, as he dropped her
hands and turned toward the door.
81 feel like Christmas eve" said
Miss Thornton meekly. Wont you
please tell me what's going to hap
penn"
you've guessed it-Chrstmas," he
answered systematically, tossed the
latch-key on the table, and left her.
She can be excused for spying upon
him from the curtained window. She
saw him awake the cabman, and then
watched the pantomme OF a long col
loquy.
"Oh!" she moaned. mo wonder!
The awful, awful price of those horrid
clock things Why did I let him tell II
to waltz"
Presently she was amazed TO see
both the driver and Mr.. Randolph dis
appear into the dark recesses Of the
cab and close after them its door. For
twenty breathless minutes she
watched. tormented by the thought
that they had retired. to have II out
where they wouldn't be disturbed by
the police. But at last they issued
both of them. Mr.. Randolph proceed
ed to crank the car and then. walking
rather strangely, went off headed
west; the driver mounted his box,
threw In the clutch, and scurried to
the east as though he were Off to
meet the morning.
strange doings!" thought Miss Imo-
gene Pamela Thornton, as she turned
from the wind wv to start on a private
ly conducted voyage Of discovery.
Strange doings, indeed, and stranger
still could Imogene Pamela have heard
as well as seen. This is what really
happened: Mr.. Randolph awoke the
cabman gently but thoroughly; then
he said:
Look here: want to buy your
wagon"
"Gowan, boss; wot dyer take me
for? Here / been freezin' most to det'
fer two mortal hours an gent like
you starts right in kickin' on the clock
widout even readin' It,"
"Shucks !" said Mr.. Randolph.
"What's biting you? Never mind the
meter-readlng; here's twenty for you
to forget that. Now tell me: Who
owns your buzZ-wagon? You?"
NAV; the llage Cab company"
replied the saturnine cabman as he
stuffed the twenty-dollar bill into his
trousers pocket.
well" said Mr.. Randolph, you
| and l are about the same build and
| I've got proposition for you. Change
clothes, hand me over your cab, and
take two hundred dollars to see your
self to another job"
The driver showed no surprise; he
contemplated the offer with half-closed
eyes and obviously working lips.
More than that" went on Ran
dolph: I'm not taking your job just
for tonight; I'm going to hold it. The
only thing / want you TO promise is
| that you'll keep your trap closed II
you see any ads in the personal col
umns looking for me-"
How do / know you won't lift the
car and whoop II up fer New Haven?'
Randolph fixed him In the eye.
"You know l won't. because I say
It,"
"Sure-that's all right, boss" said
: the driver conciliatingly. mo bones
broke. Now, there's just one thing
more: have you figgered that It's FIVE
hours to the opening Of secondhand
Sixth avenue or the Bowery. an I'd
have to wear those clothes Of yourn
all that timer"
| whats the matter with these
clothes" asked Randolph, little
peeved. swell, you've heard my offer.
Take IL or leave it,"
Sure I'll take it 7" said the driver
promptly. IF / wasn't a-goin' to have
took II from the first, what would "a
been standin' here talkin' forT
Whereupon they entered to the
cramped privacy Of the cab and ex-
changed garments Randolph was
ready In ten minutes, but II took him
another ten to complete the apparel.
ing Of the puzzled chauffeur. That
worthy added to his investiture in
| RandOlnh'e host evenin0 at,it q Sicklv