The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-18
WITH THE HELP
 OF UNCLE BILLY
BY LUELLA LEACH.

H (Copyright, 1905, By Daily Story Pub.
 Janet had reasons of her own for choosing the orchard path. The front lane, leading from the road to the barn" yard, lay full in sight of Grandmoth- CTS sitting room, windows. and Janet was not yet strong enough with her defense for the coming battle.
 While Uncle Billy might not be able thoroughly to comprehendsthe emotions of eighteen, yet Janet felt intuitively that she could count on him as an ally. At any rate, she would intrencn her- self for the fight behind bulwark of knowledge as to the enemy's exact posi- ton.
 ing around her as she slipped down inc secluded path. She knew she would find him at the evening milk ing. ,, ly through the fence.
 The sound of the milk streaming into the tin pail ceased for an in- stant la-
 'Is that thee, Janet?" the man asked in the same flushed voice.
 For answer, she scrambled through the bars. pushing aside the inquisitive nose of big Bess, who had aiready contributed her share toward filling the shining buckets lined up under Uncle Billy's watchful eye.
 Does she know, Uncle Billy?" Janet whispered, with a guilty glance around at the cows who were staring at her in mild-eyed disapproval.
 well, reckon she does" the old man admitted reluctantly.
 "But who could have told her this timeY the girl asked hopelessly. You didn't tell, Uncle Billy?' Sine looked at him sharply, in sudden sus- picion.
 Janet. child, what does thee take me for?"
 Janet was instantly penitent and pat ted the battered old felt hat lovingly.
 'Ts it very wrong, Uncle Billy, to love somebody awfully. awfullyT she pleaded insinuatingly. with her arm about his neck
 q can't exactly say that it is." Un- cle Billy vouchsafed. hesitantingly. He was engaged in a deep study of the white spot on old Brindle's side. which came on level with his eyes as he sat on the milking stool
 Then you're on my side" she ex- tilted gleefully. And what else can do if Grandmother won't let him come to the house? Besides. do love him." she added with tremulous ten derness; '1n the spring. he is going to have a beautiful position. as soon as that new railroad begins to build. You know 1t was engineering ne studied at college. And then-and then" e,f e
 Uncle Billy didn't have the heart to arouse her from her rosy dream, but she soon came back to earth of her own accord.
 Was she angry. really angry when she heard?" she pursued anxiously.
 T guess thee dosen't know thy grandmother" retorted Uncle Billy dry ly, with shrew twinkle in his eyes that was lost upon Janet, because of his having resumed the milking opera tion.
 q don't care" the girl cried hotly. 'Td do it again. I'd go with him a thousand times, if she had whole regiment of infantry stationed there to keep me from H. So there!" And with this burst of defiance she flung herself out of the barnyard.
 But that was prior to her encounter with Grandmother.
 "Tll wager on Asenath," he chucklsd to himself, yet with sympathy in his heart for the child.
 Grandmother had long ago convinced him that the use of the word bet" was far beneath the dignity of a man of his years. so he had learned to con- sole himself with the weak substitute, wager" and managed to convey the same impetuous conviction by dint of a more lavish expenditure of empha- sis.
 Uncle Billy's prognostications as to