Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-08
BIZ J.JEFFERSoN FARJEoN

another window broke In upon
them.
Excuse me-" said the jolly gen.
tleman. but is anything wrong?"
Although we know that the jolly
gentleman had alighted at Byford
Moor station. and had followed
Brown most Of the way TO Coon
Der House. Brown. hinaself. did
not know this. and In his ignor-
ance he regarded the Jolly gentle
man as a welcome diversion. The
diversion was not so welcome to
Mr.. Simon Brill. who swung
around swiftly and stared at the
stranger with u~ndisguised disfavor.
"Wrong?" he snapped. What
should be wrong?"
Il thought I heard voices raised
- began the stranger.
And II you did. sir" interrupted
Bril-. do you make IL your habit
TO pop your head in at the window
OF every house where an argument
happens to be going on? You must
lead a busy life"
The jolly gentleman looked a
trifle hurt.
I seem 70 have made a mistake"
ne said. and transferred his ewes
from Brill to Brown. who stood and
stared back rather dazedly. striving
10 get his brain to function.
Please forgive me. Can I shelter
here for a few minutes during the
shower?-
AS he spoke. a few heavy drops
descended from the black cloud
with the finger-like edges.
Neither man answered for a sec
ond. Brown was glad that the
stranger had come, but he did not
want him to stay. It was already
ten minutes to three. Brill appear
ed equally anxious to get rid of
him.
There's an inn up the road"
suggested Brill. abruptly. II dare
say II you hurry you can get there
before the rain increases"
Must I get wet?" exclaimed the
Jolly gentleman. now appealing
frankly TO Brown. You know. I'm
not quite as bad as you gentle
men seem bent on painting me. It
was the storm that drove me here
IN the first place. The house look
ed empty, so I thought I'd take
shelter in ii. Then, as / drew
nearer. I thought I heard loud
voices. My opening remark NAV
have been-well. tactless, but az
least 1t vas well meant"
And 80 was my advice well
meant" retorted Brill. And, as a
matter of fact, I'm thinking OF
taking 1t myself. I also came here
for shelter-though the caretaker
here seemed to imagine I had come
to steal the walls and the ceiling.
We were having a bit OF an argu-
ment when you came along"
"Ah. then I'm exoneratedl" cried
the jolly gentleman.
Il wouldn't put It quite like
that" responded Brill. sourly. THE
argument was never denied. Any
way. since I'm not welcome. and
you're not likely to be. suppose we
both make a dash for that inn?
Well risk a wetting together, eh?"
Brown looked at him quickly.
This was what Brown wanted. To
get rid Of them both. He was a
little worried. however, that the
suggestion should come from Simon
Brill. Did Brill and the Jolly gen.
tleman know each other? Were
they merely acting? Playing with
! him?
The jolly man hesitated. The
big drops grew more frequent. de-
scending upon the leaves that
framed the window with unnatural
loudneSs.
Get wet together" he repeated,
and now suddenly looked straight
at Brown. What do you think?u
Il dessay you could get to the
inn, II you're quick" answered
Brown.
Then that settles it," nodded
the Jolly man. "All one really
wants IN a storm Is company"
which you will lack. Mr..
Brown" murmured Brill, on his
way to the door. still, perhaps a
little later. we shall meet again
to continue our little discussion.
Meanwhile. take my advice and re-