Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-09-30

Then He Remained Until She Came
Out.
makes four pounds; and With, say, ten
shillings extra, in case of accidents,
there won't be great deal LETT out Of a
f1ve-pound note"
Give pounds" repeated Billy, rue
fully. THAT'S lot of money, and you
can't spare it"
Yes. l can," interrupted Mrs. Sims,
thanks to Miss Clifford; and as you're
going on her service, you know this
with just suspicion of irony in her
toEe), We'll say no more about the ex-
pense. if you please"
YOU'RE rare one" exclaimed Billy,
in grateful admiration. Its my belief
you're never happy unless you're doing
a good turn to some one or another. -
Then his mood, fitful as an April day,
changed to one of pathetic sadness.
do you think shall meet Miss Cliff
ford Granddaughter we're both dead
and buried, l mean?" he asked, pres
emily.
"Of course you WILL" was the unhes-
itating reply. But what puts such
gloomy ideas into your head?"
Gloomy" he repeated, doubtfully.
care they To me the thought seems
fuller of gladness and hope than aught
else can imagine. You've often told
me about the future life, and n rare
comfort it is, to poor, crippled chap
like me, to look forward to it. But
don't the Good Book say anything of q
past life before this one?''
NO. Billy, not that know off," an
swercd Mrs. Sims, somewhat puzzled
by the question. But why ask ME?
You read better than 1 do, aye, and
understand what you read better, too,
think"
NO" he protested; "what read only
confuses my poor head. 1 know there
is Present, 1 am told there will be a
Future. But am left in the dark as
to Past. Yet, what with queer
dreams, and strange fancies that take
hold of me, l sometimes find it easier
to believe that there has been a Past,
are now, than that will be future life
for us. 1t makes my head swim think
ing of these things"
''Then don't think of them,' coun-
SEIZED Mrs. Sims, sagely. Leave them
your wits about you for this French
trip"
That's true" he assented brighten
ing up. Il dare say l shall find it bit
hard, at first, to pull along amongst
those foreigners. But I'll get through
right enough, never fear. Daft Billy is
a deal cutter than some folks give him
credit for being"
Without for n moment disputing the
truth of this vainglorious assertion,
Mrs. Sims took the more practical steps
Of overhauling her hayward protege's
simple wardrobe The had long ago
emerged from the ragged stage), Of
buying him third-class return ticket,
and Of furnishing him with the esti-
mated expenses in French silver coins
procured at money changers.
Her son Joe, perhaps little Jealous
Of Billy's mission. facctiously suggest
ed that he should be labeled Paris"
by way of extra precaution; but, reap
ing no other reward for this happy in
spiration than sound box on the car
from his indignant parent, he found re-
lief for his wounded feelings by ex-
pressing hope that the traveller would
find diet Of frogs and snails nutri-
tious and satisfying. Whereat Billy
laughed, in high good humor, and even
Mrs. Sims relaxed into smile.
A shrek from the engine, many part
ing words OF advice and farewell. and
Daft Billy was speeding Paris-wards in
search Of the lost Light of the Ha-
rem"