Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-11-27
Billy's Sacrifice
BY JOHN II. RAFTERY.

II is name was William Lowther
II Hereford, but the Gales all call
ed him Billy except Mr.. Gale, the
head Of the family, who didn't like
the young fellow. Mr.. Gales dislike
for Billy may have been prejudice
or it may have been foresight, but
it began while his son Bruce was at
college and was founded upon and
strengthened by Bruce's stories Of
his friends lawlessness. Bruce cali
ed it spirits but his father, who
suspected that his boys eXtraya-
gance was due 10 bad company made
a shrewd guess that Billy was at the
bottom of all the deyilment which
kept Bruce in dent to tradesmen and
in disfavor with his professors.
But Bruce was loyal TO his friend,
brought him home for the vacation at
the end of their junior year and-made
him acquainted with Marjory, his
only sister, an impulsiye, beautiful,
athletic and self-willed girl Of 20.
The Gales expected to find Billy a
restless, laughing, harum-scarum
"boy" of "a, and, as Mr.. Gale ex-
pressed il, nobody expected much
of him." but they were surprised, to
say the least, at his appearance. OF
good height, paler than the athlete
Bruce, with very black, wayy hair,
calm, wistful, gray eyes, a mouth
like a woman's, gentle-mannered,
low-yoiced, sure Of himself, but mod
est, cheerful, without levity, hand
some when he smiled, but seldom
laughing; in a word, quite a contra
diction to their anticipations Of
Young man famous among his friends
as the most reckless, insubordinate,
fun-loving roysterer that ever tan
tailed a worthy dominic or upset
the decorum of a morning chapel
~ like him." said Mrs. Gale.
ION his good behavior for a pur-
pose" growled Papa Gale, who evil
IDENTIFY didn't like him.
"He seems quite civilized" said
Miss Mariory, rather spiritedly, but
as nobody gain said her opinion, she
left the room and joined Bruce and
Billy in the tennis court.
His visit lasted but a fortnight
then. but when he said good-by and
drove away in the pony cart with
Marjory, who was going to town
anyway" everybody. including Mr..
Gale. felt a trifle lonesome.
Hes poor, isn't hep" the rich man
asked his son.
"Yes. but he doesn't know 1t and
wouldn't care if he did" replied the
son.
How does he manage to hold up
his end as you call II, at college?"
Mr. Gale looked very foxy now.
"Oh, he doesn't spend money"
smirlled Bruce, she doesn't have
to-"
"Not while there are spendthrifts
like you to spend it for him, l sup
pose," grunted the old man. whose
ideas Of economy were forever get
ting him into IN humor. He march
ed of with a warning about the ne
cessity for economy during the COM
ing year, but Bruce lighted a cigar
cite and went whistling to the
stables. Mariory came back in an
hour looking quite forlorn.
"You like him. don't you. Mariy?"
her brother said, tossing a crab APP
pie az a peacock.
Indeed I do" she answered frank
| ". "He isn't a bit like you-Iike
what I expected. II 1 were you.
though, I'd quit telling papa about
those pranks at college. He's so
prejudiced already that he Just can't
see any good in Bil-in Mr.. Hereford.
As for me. don't mind telling YOU.
I don't believe he could do a mean
thing il be tried"
And Bruce was grateful to his sis
ter for these praises Of Billy. for.
selfish as he was and necessary as
Hereford's superior talents were h
4 his success at college. he came near
+ er TO loving Mariory than anyone ex-
I cept, perhaps, himself.
/ The winter after Bruce graduated.
after many objections from the
/ pleasure loving youth, he went in
+ % business" with his father on con
dition that Billy Hereford also be
I given place in the Office. Mr.. Gale
didn't like the idea. but as he hap
4 pened to need a cashier. and as
4 Bruce's heart seemed set on having
/ his friend with him. and as he