hol in any form," said Miss Tupper, the color of the rambler.

"In any form. So help me God," said Skippy slowly.

"There," said Miss Tupper, somewhat thrilled herself. "And now don't you
feel better, much, much better for having done it?"

And Skippy answered truthfully,

"You bet I feel better."

* * * * *

Skippy, indeed, would have sworn to anything just for the look that
lighted up the velvety eyes in the joy of salvation. It is doubtful if
he even heard half of the program of his future existence. There was
something irresistible in the softness of her eyes and the fascinating
lisp. He was face to face at last with a good influence. He had met, not
the type of girl that men play with lightly or madly for a month or a
day, but a woman, the kind rough coarse men look up to as to a polar
star, the kind of woman you think of winning after years of struggle,
that keeps men straight and their thoughts on higher things, the kind of
woman that pulls a drunkard out of the gutter, reclaims him and makes a
genius out of the wreck. He would be saved by her, he was bound he
would--no matter what sacrifices he would have to make to keep in proper
sinful condition.

CHAPTER XXXIII

SUDDEN INTEREST IN THE BIBLE

SNORKY GREEN had experienced so many shocks in his intimate contact with
his chum's imagination that he had come to believe the future could hold
no surprises for him. But that evening Skippy after a long searching
through bookcases said with a worried air:

"I say, Snorky, where do you keep the Bible?"

"The--the Bible?" said Snorky faintly.

"Sure, the Bible."

Snorky's first thought was that Skippy must be the victim of a secret
malady and ready to make his will. His next was even more alarming.

"You're not thinking of anything rash, are you, old horse?"

"What the deuce?"

"You and Jennie?"

"What the Sam Blazes are you driving at?"

"Thought you were looking up the marriage service," said Snorky
facetiously.

"Shucks, no. Nothing of the sort. I just, I just want to look up a
reference."

"What reference?"

"It's of a personal nature, very personal," said Skippy.

At the end of an hour's search Snorky finally produced a Bible from the
cook and watched Skippy turn through the pages in a perplexed manner.

"I've watched that coot do some queer things," he thought, scratching
his ear, "but I'll be jiggswiggered if I can figure out what he's up to
now.