ipt,
Bedelle.

The last he considered such a master stroke that, his good humor
restored by the anticipation of the infuriating effect on his beloved
friend, he began to whistle a triumphant strain. He made a neat package,
pinned the ultimatum on it, and proceeded to the opposite bureau.

"Well, I'll be teetotally jiggswiggered," he said, astounded.

In the oval of the glass, a new photograph had appeared in the company
of the three other smiling feminine beauties which Snorky Green, as a
man of the world, displayed by implied right of conquest. Skippy set
down his package and craned forward for a closer examination.

"Huh! Old enough to be his grandmother," he said contemptuously, staring
at the new victim of Snorky Green's charms.

But at this moment, hearing a familiar step in the hall, he bounded back
in time to assume a nonchalant, bored attitude as Snorky came joyfully
in, exclaiming:

"Hello, old sporting life! What do you know to-day?"

"Green," said Skippy, drawing himself up and extending an elocutionary
finger towards the bureau, "you will find something to interest you
there."

He waited a moment outside in the hall until Snorky's bursting
imprecation brought the needed consolation, and then tripped down the
steps, seeking a calming jigger.

CHAPTER IX

SNORKY AS A LADY-KILLER

"_L'AMOUR a des raisons que la raison connait pas_," say the French, who
ought to know, and the first expansive sentimental affection of a boy
for a chum has also its illogical quality. Now, Skippy adored Snorky and
the affection was returned. He felt that Snorky would die for him, as of
course he would lay down his own life for his friend, if they should
ever hunt together in African jungles. He was willing to share Snorky's
last dime, keep his confidences, and fight shoulder to shoulder. He
admired, he respected, he loved Snorky, but for the life of him he could
not see wherein Snorky Green's peculiar brand of beauty should appeal to
the young feminine eye any more than his own lank frame and sharpened
features. Why should Snorky's glass present four lovely and adoring
feminine faces, while his own should give back only a pointed nose
around which the orange freckles swarmed like flies? True, the
lady-killer's wardrobe was of a magnificence which outshone his, but
then socks and neckties and cuff-button jewelry are communal
possessions.

* * * *