The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-10-14

do TO keep his pins and FIX his mind on
che road But. by and by his brain clear
"a a bit. and when he reached the hll
over ArdevOra. and saw she lights Of the
town below him. his mood changed. aud
ne snt down on the turf OF the slope with
tears IN his eyes.
There you be-" said he, talking TO the
lights. land here DO I and somcwhercs
down amonst you is the dear old maid
I've come TO marry. Not much welcome
for me In Ardcvora. l blaw. though do
love every stone OF her streets. But
there's one there that didnt forget me Ia
my captivity. and won't dcspiso me IN
these here rags. l wish Ia seen Abc'r
face when jumped aboard the boat Poor
old Abc'-hut ais fair IN love and war.
I reckon. lilo can't DO here till to-mor-
row at earliest 50 let's have pipe o.
baccy on IT,"
First OF all ne pictured Abe's ehnpfallen
face. and chuckled; then he began TO
wonder n Abe would can Il fair play.
when he woke mp the sun was shining
And somehow. though he had dropped 90
sleep IN puzzle OF mind. he woke up
with not doubt 60 trouble him He
hunted out a crust from his knapsack and
made his breakfast. and chen he liz his
pipe again ana turned toward Pcnsancc.
He was going 10 play fair
on he went in this frame OF mind
feeling like man almost too virtuous 60
go TO church. until by-and-hy he came
In sight Of Nauciedrea and the inn he'd
left In such n hurry over night And who
should be sitting IN tho porchway. and
looking into tho bottom OF a pint pot. but
Abe Cummings
why however on earth did you come
hereg" asked Billy.
"Cap'en landed as between I ana this
morning. said Abe.
Well" said Bnly. I'm RICH, glad
TO mscs you, anyway. for-tell 'ee the
truth-you're the very man l was looking
for"
Really" says Abe. like one interest
cd
you and no other I don't mind tell
ing co I've been through a fire OF temp
tation. You know why Jumped into thas
boat. Il vexed you bit. ! dare say. And
strickly speakin'. mind you"-Billy took
his friend by the button-hole-''st rickly
spcakin'. ia the right on my side. Let
the best man win. was our argument.
But YOU needn' 60 fret yourself. 1 bent
the man TO take an advantage OF an old
friend. fair though u be. Man. I ha'n't
been to Ardevorn-I turned back. 50
finish your beer and contest along with
me. and wen walk down TO Selma Johns
together and ask her which Of US she'll
choose. fair and square"
Abe set down mis- mug and looked up.
studying the signboard over the door.
well" says he, Its real relief 20
my mind 10 know you've played 40 fair.
For man and boy. BIN, always thought
Il Of you"
yes. indeed" says Billy. man and boy
10 always was my motto"
but as consarnin' Selma Johns" Abe
ssTharn afnsf no gnnh woman
you don't tell me she's dead2''
''No: tits her nrst husband that's dead.
she's Selma Widlake now"
How long have zee kHowed thatT'
Maybe an hour. maybe only three
quarters. Her names Selma Witiake.and
She owns this here public. what's more,
her name isn't going to be Selma Wild
lake. but Selma Cummins. we've liked II
IN and she's TO leave Nancledrea and
take the Welcome Home over 10 Ardevo-
"a"
Billy Boslstow took a turn across the
road and. coming back. stuck his hands
in his pockets and stared up az the sign
overhead
wen. And I that was too honorable
- he began.
so YOU was" agreed Abe. pulling out
his pine you can't think what com
fort that Is 20 me But. as II turns out
wouldn't have made no difference For
she seed you last even. and she was tell
in me just now that prison hadn't I'M
proved you. In fact SHE didn't like either
YOUR looks or your behavior
..I'ye heard that he was just In time 10
non inside and bolt the door after him.
And now you know why Billy Bosistow
and Abe Cummlns could never bear the
siaht OF each other from that day. But
therel you can't be first and last. too. as
the saying Is
.Givet. in the Ardennes. The river. OF
c.urso. IS the Meuse.-Q.