Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1907 — farrington's Hlibi. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

farrington's Hlibi.

By JESSUP MINOR.

Farrington looked up with such genuine dismay that even he laughed at himself as he caught his reflection in the glass. y “But how was I to blame?’ he insisted. “The extent of my knowledge of racing Is that it’s a game where the horse you bet on always comes in last.” “That’s what I told papa,*’ she explained, “but he said he saw you distinctly and that I could not pull the wool over his eyes in that fashion.” “Well, something must be done,” he said decidedly. “I’m not going to lose you because I was’arrested in a pool room raid.” “Could you speak to Mr. Tennis?’ suggested Agnes. “He could tell father that you simply went there with him at bls request.” J Farrington shook his bead. “Ton don’t know Tennis," he chuckled. “He’s the biggest sort of practical joker. He might go around and tell how I got him into trouble. Anyway, if he ever got hold of the story I should never hear the last of It.”

“But you must do something, Neddie,” she urged. “Father' insists that I break our engagement He says that no man who plays the races can marry a daughter of his.” “I think I shall have to prove an alibi,” Ned grinned. “Is be in now?’ “Tonight is the annual dinner of the Survivors’ club,” she reminded him. “He will not be home until late.”

“Well, telj him that I was not in the pool room,* 4 he said—“that I said he had made a mistake somehow.. I’ll fix up an alibi.” , •. “It seems wrong to deceive father, ’* she protested. “It would be if he were open to argument” he admitted, “but, you see, he is so set that this is the only way.” •“Where were you?’ she asked. “You ought to tell me where you were.” “At the office,” he said promptly. “He doesn’t like Tennis, so he’s not apt to get a chance to ask him.” It took much argument and many kisses to convince Agnes that their

“YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG DOPE,” HE SAID, only hope lay in denial of everything. Farrington had been In a pool room when It was raided, and as the prisoners were being taken down the street they had passed Mr. Ripley. In that moment Ned Farrington knew that it meant a broken engagement, for the uncompromising old man had a hatred of the race track and all Its works and could never be brought to believe that he had merely been in there because his employer had sent him to cash a check, telling him to bring the money to the pool room. It was late before be finally convinced Agnes, and he took a car downtown. Half a dozen men came from the hotel at the transfer point and stood talking for awhile, Mr. Ripley among them. Presently they separated, and Ripley was left alone. If he saw Farrington, he gave no sign, and Ned was equally oblivious of the alderman’s presence. A newsboy came along with the night extras, and Ripley stopped him, searching his pockets for a coin. Evidently the search was fruitless, for presently the boy passed on and Ripley turned to Farrington. “I didn’t see you before, Mr. Farrington,'* he said awkwardly. “Been up to the house?” In a flash Inspiration came, and Ned tipped his hat at a jaunty angle and shifted his cigar to the corner of his mouth, where he gave it a decidedly upward slant “You’ve got the wrong dope,” he said. “My name’s Parrish—Bill Parrish. What’s the game?” 'Tve been caught downtown without any money,” he said lamely. “There was a collection taken up that .1 did not anticipate, and the boys in the coat room took my small change. I shall have to ask you for car fare, Ned.” “Ned nothin’,” came the sharp retort fc l told you my name was Bill. W-i-1-M-a-m, Bill. If you want a nickel, you can have it but don’t play that ‘old friend’ gag on me. Fve heard it before. Here’s your quarter. Now roll your hoop and run along." Ripley looked dazed as his hand mechanically closed over the coin. “Surely you are Edwin Farrington,” he persisted. “I know I cannot be mistaken.” “Still dreaming?” Ned affected sur-

prise. “Look here, papa, you be glad ton got your coin. I*ll make it a half if you need it but don’t try to con me like that”' ./.-fe “It’s a most remarkable resemblance,” stammered the embarrassed Ripley. ”1 have known Mr. Farrington since he was a boy, and the resemblance is most startling.” “Here comes your car; ride oh,” said Ned as he turned into the hotel. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” Ned went straight into the telephone booth and called up Agnes, He rapidly sketched the conversation, and when Mr. Ripley arrived at the house she was ready for him. “Was young Farrington here this evening?” he asked. Agnes nodded. “He says there was some mistake about your seeing him in that crowd,” she began. “He seemed very much annoyed.” “Did hq have on a gray vest and a blue tie?” he asked Irrelevantly. “Evening dress and of course a white tie,” she answered. “Why do you ask?” Her father passed his hand across his forehead. “It is very strange,” he murmured to himself as he made for the stairs. “I think that I had better go right to bed.” The girl looked after him, and her impulse to run and tell him that he had been right was strong. But her love for Ned was stronger, and she forbore. -x

Mr. Ripley called at Ned’s office the next morning, but that young man stoutly denied all knowledge of the loan, and still more strenuously did he deny the language he had been accused of using. Mr. Ripley was more at sea than ever and could only stare dumbly after, the young man as the latter went back to his desk. But none of the arguments that Agnes advanced convinced him that he had been in error regarding Ned’s arrest, and Ned was forbidden the house, while Agnes was forced to lay aside the engagement ring. On the street Mr. Ripley kept a sharp lookout for Parrish, and some two weeks later his search was rewarded. “I want to return that loan, Mr. Parrish,” he said as he rushed up. “I was so excited over my error the other evening that I forgot to ask your address.”

The other turned his head in surprise. “My dear sir,” he began, “my name is Clifton. I could not have advanced a loan since I arrived today from San Francisco. I am afraid that you have made some mistake.” * . “You are not Mr. Parrish?” Ripley gasped. “A most remarkable likeness,” ——— ——-—-—— —— “I am not flattered,” said the stranger coldly. “I believe that there is a fellow named Parrish who somewhat resembles me. I believe that he is a bookmaker. He was in California last year following the horses.” “Do you mean to say you are not the man who obliged me with the loan of a quarter a few evenings ago?” “I should think that my statement was sufficiently definite,” he said coldly. “Your persistence is impertinent”

That was the final straw. With a murmured apology Ripley turned away. Au hour later he looked into the music room, where Agnes was idling at the piano. She looked up as the door opened. “You can write young Farrington that perhaps I was mistaken,*’ he said. “Perhaps I made a mistake when I said that he was in that pool room . crowd. Top might ask him up to dinner tomorrow evening if you want to.” Agnes ran across the room and threw her arms about his neck. “There, there!” he said. “It’s all right, my dear. We are all of us liable to make mistakes. Ned has a telephone, hasn’t he?” She darted up the hall to where the telephone hung. He followed her more slowly. Agnes!” he called as he started upstairs. She turned at his voice. “Be sure and get the right one,” he said ambiguously. And he wondered why she laughed.