Middletown transcript., 1905-12-09

pany but in Difference to Ferrester's
wishes who begged him to SHED the
tist from the annoyances Incidental t
her sex.
One afternoon when it had rained too
hard for Miss Payton's daily excursion
about the art galleries, Billy dropped in
on his way out in search of diversion.
He found Miss Payton idly pacing the
floor, her wet paints scattered about in
unaccustomed confusion. He instar tIy
suspected trouble and scrambled tn a
stool where he sat looking over at her
with an irresistible air of invitari IN that
brought her to his side at once. Size
leaned down and tonk his fierce, ugly face
between her palms. and said
eyes, Billy, it is true that have
secret, and it troubles me horribly II
am in love with the dearest fellow in the
world, the brightest, blithest, most win
some lad that ever crossed my path. Can
you guess ?-Yes, it's Gene! How could
it be anyone else knowing him as do?
Isn't that a shameless confession? But |
Billy that isn't the worst, my loving him
without his asking-I think he cares
little bit, don't yon ?-The worst is that |
am an imposter, and he will never for
give me, for | am not poor as he believes,
| but rich enough to live in golden idleness
all my life. You see had ambition, and
having no one to oppose me, took this
way the better to work. I've found ont
that Pm not genius, and that art is not
sufficient to fill woman's life. Gene
told me, not long ago, that he could never
marry rich woman-he's too foOlishly
proud, you know, Billy-and that he was
glad am poor | would willingly give
up all | possess for his sake, | really
would, but on the other hand l want to
keep my wealth, for his sake, too, because
it would hasten his success in his work,
for lie is really genius, we know that,
Billy! Such beautiful, beautiful stories
as he writes ought to bring him fame, and
they will some day, only l want to spare !:
him all the suffering and hardship of un- !,
success. We could be so happy together,
just we three, couldn't we, old pal ?
Can't you help us in some wav, Billy?' =
Not many days after that confession Z
Miss Payton stayed out longer than usual
The raw Winter afternoon had deepened
to twilight when at last she hastened to
join the bustlng throng of homing way. 8
farers. There was a jam of cars at the
street crossing, and great shouting OF
drivers and cabmen, all of which Billy
had grown callously familiar with by long
practice in lodging teams and wheels he
kept pretty close to his companion, alertly
watchful Of impending dangers, when
an old man stumbled hurriedly
past him in futile attempt to evade
passing vehicle. Billy heard the gong of
warning from the opposite car and dashed 9,
forward to drag the unwary one back, -
but fright and bewiIderment dazed the G,
timid wayfarer SO that he lost his balance =
and pitched headlong across the path Of
death. IT
Billy held his post heroically while
hey backed the fender from his mangled G.
eg. then things grew slightly confused 81
lntil he felt himself lifted in Miss Pay n
.on's arms and borne to place Of shelter.
Billy was natural acrobat, therefore
he temporary loss of limb did not C(
greatly Inconvenience him; (; he soon be-
,ame an adept at three-legged gait and -
IN the third day following his accident =
insisted on accompanying Miss Payton to Y
lee the old man whom he had saved from 4
leath. They found him in rather poor 4
quarters on the east side, suffering from
shock and exhaustion and evidently near ;.
he end OF his lease of life.
at is consumption that ails me-" lie 4
aid submissively. "The shock and ex-
:itement brought on a hemorrhage that =.
nay prove fatal, but don't suffer much :.
md I'm quite willing to 60 at any time.
dread becoming burden to my son 4
Who is in Strengthened circumstances. |
wish could do something to show nv >
,ratitude to you for the dog that saved 4
ne from a horrible death. | never
hought much of dogs but this one GER 4
ainly is a hero" =
"Billy is the best and wisest dog ever :.
new" said Miss Payton warmly. "IIe J
) not much TO look at but his heart is in }
lie right place and lie is brave a. lion r. :,
80 lie is indeed - said his sick friend \
tretching out his feeble hand to stroke A
he knotty head that lay in Miss Pay ytons
up, at which Billy wrnkled his forehead )
nd looked very wise and comica. 4
Il wish could do something for him." n
he sick man sighed plaintively. L
Miss Payton did not answer at once. n
When he looked up her face gowed aud .
er eyes had look that Billy had never d
zen there before. ''Do you really want 4
} do something-for the dogs ma ter, l.
,r instance ?" she asked, simply \
"Ah, if l could, l should be glad to /! Z
ut | am very poor.'' =
Nevertheless you can perform a SER n
ice that will not only make Billy's mas
,r very happy but someone else aS well \
lie is poor journalist, genius and =.
a great big splendid fellow Y
ho wouldn't stoop TO an nnmany action A.
,r the world. He is in love with a girl q
no is rich and dares not tell him so be- j
iuse he thinks her poor, too. and he is A
70 proud for his own good. She loves 4
i'm and would gladly give up everything 4
n bis sake yet because her money would
ring him success she. waits to keep it, y
: rather to give it to him. Now suppose N
le should make her fortune over to you 4
, condition that you serve his interest l.
Y willing it to him-in token OF your y
attitude, We will say, which would be y
ping him the greatest favor imaginable. ID
iould you be willing to go to so much n
ouble for his sake ?'' L
D.,ka 4 81.