Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 69: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 A CONFIDENTIAL TALK. ing than a well-mixed gin-fizz. ButI believe you know what metal I am made of, and you also are aware of how much I have always thought of you. So out with it.’’ Still Eldridge hesitated, and looked at his friend in an uncertain kind of a way. finally: “There isn’t so much to tell, after all,’’ he began, ‘‘and I rather fancy you'll laugh at me; most people would. But, Dick,’’ he broke out, impulsively, ‘you are right, I am in no end of a fix.’”’ ““Well?”’ , ‘It’s no use, old man, I can’t give you the particulars. But I’ll tell you part. You remember the little Delmar girl who was staying with Dolly French?”’ ‘“‘Of course I do—the one you were such spoons on all winter. Wherever did Dolly pick her up? But widows gen- erally are sharp, and she is no exception. Remember her? I rather think I do, and often wondered how she came across Dolly. She’s none too trustworthy a chaperon for any pretty young girl, in my opinion. She’d doalmost any- thing for excitement, that woman.’’ ‘‘Never mind Dolly. It’s Florence lam talking about. You’re right. I did see a lot of her at odd times, when she visited Dolly, and the fact is, old man, I grew awfully fond of the little girl.’”’ ‘‘Not seriously?”’ ‘‘Seriously.’’ Forrest shook his head mournfully. ‘‘It certainly is time for me to interfere,’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘But you’re never going to marry her? I didn’t suppose you were the marrying kind.’’ ‘Not now, but I meant to.’”’ ‘Thank heaven! What changed you?’’ Gomichbooks:com