The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-11-20


tween anger and modification OF
eourse BlIiy wonId be angry. sc had
a right to be. Dsot with her, to be sure
but. then, how could she expect him
to Disseminated Her mother, she
knew wen, had the name of being
proud and schemer. There would
be plenty Of folks to tell Billy, II he
did not think of Il himself. that the
whole thing had been planned between
mother and daughter on purpose to
make him ridiculous.
Being self made. he was keenIy sem
sItIve. Unless she could make him nm
derstaud her Innocence she had lost
him, and she did not want to lose him
She loved ever fiber of his six foot
ruddy comellness as she hated the oily
lankness of Brother Gillian.
Her heart leaped when Gillian drew
up alongside the buggy and said, trying
to speak jocularly: why. Batson, don't
you know there are laws against mo-
nopoly? Here I'm driving to town
without a soul to bear me company.
Divide. man. divided know it's hard
to choose, but you must give me a pas
senger."
'I have to mind the preacher. don't /,
Mrs. Hicks?" Billy asked over his
shoulder, making way for her and
checking his horse rs he spoke He Of
course could not choose, but she must
understand that she was in the way.
But Mrs. Hicks sat tight. fggling
and saying aIrily: Indeed you do,
Mist Batsonl Cut the wheels the least
mite more, then Amelia can step across
no need in the world of your gettin'
ont to help her-and Brother Gillian
can meet us at the datbewses. Their
yard is such a good place to see the
parade
There must have been fate In It. else
Amelia would have refused. But some
power beyond herself compelled her to
obedience. In a wink almost she was
whirIing Forward beside the man she
hated Billy Glared after them and set
his teeth. He made no pretense Of civil
talk to the woman beside him His
heart was so sore. his mind SO angry,
It was almost miracle that he did not
drive into or over somebody. But by
good hap he got snfe to his journeys
end and found himself a little later.
with AIRS. Hicks at his elbow. wedged
into the throng which lined the street
on either side.
Amelia and the minister We're just
across the way. Neither couple had
had time to reach the Mathews haven.
The parade was already moving when
they came to town, so they had made
what shift and haste they might.
1t was a plteous parade, something
tawdry throughout. and in spots dusty
and threadbare. But the lady riders
had superb horses and sat them won
derfully. especially Sandra, queen of
amazons. who in green and gold lace
blew kisses right and left from her
finger tips. the while making her milk
white Arab keep time with the band
blarinG ahead.
Sandra was slight and round. with
every where about her the suggestion
of supple strength. She carried a crop
to flourish what time she was not
throwing kisses. Every man along the
line uncovered to her, and here or there
she got hand clapping and cheers
As she drew near Anelia's stand
Brother Gillian said uneasily: You
won't mind If l leave you, the others
are so near? And it has Just occurred
to me that I ought not to be here.
Not that there is any harm in it, but
we must avoid the very appear ance of
evil
go. if you cam Amelia said duly.
She was too angry TO feel relief in his
absence
BuIy's facs had told her thlngs-au
she had been fearing. Since he was
lost to her beyond question she had a
mad wish thut the world might end.
Gillian made pace away, found the
human wall impenetrable, then turned
irresolutely again toward her
Thus he drew to himself Sandra's
keen gaze. Those watching saw her
jaw set, her eyes sparkle. her cheeks
wlliten underneath their rougc-saw
her ride straight at the tall, black clad
figure and lash 1t furiously, crying high
You thief! You robber-villain!
You murderer! You are murderer
the money you stole from me might
have saved-our little child"
"of all the brazen things! To quit n
circus and turn preacher" Mrs Hicks
said Il week later. But no wonder he
took us in-the deacons-and me and
ererybody-such beautiful letters as he
had. Forged. of cOurse-and that poor
creature he left behind, playing on
with the baby just Duried-by charity
too Amelia, it makes me creep to
think how near you came to marrying
such n scamp. He might "a done 1t II
hadn't put my foot down that he must
wait TIL Christmas, when you'd get
your Grandpl's legacy
''That was what he wanted Amelia
said. laughing.
Amelia was too happy to resent her
mothers inconsistency. BILLY is an
other sort" she added after a pause.
"FIe wants that 5000 put in trust so
he can't even touch it-along with an
other thousand from him"
IT always said Billy was mighty