The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1906-11-21


whole thing had been planned between
mother and daughter on purpose to
make him ridiculous.
Being self made. he was keenly SEN
sitiye. Unless she could make him un-
derstand her innocence she had lost
him, and she did not want to lose him.
She loved ever fiber of his six foot
ruddy loneliness rs 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-
nopely? Here I'm driving TO town
without Il soul 10 bear me company.
Divide man, divide! l know it's hard
to choose. but you must give me pas
senger"
u have to mind the preacher, don't /,
Mrs Hicks" Billy asked over his
shoulder making way for her and
checking his horse as he spoke. He of
course could not choose. but she must
understand that she was in the way.
Rut Mrs Hicks sat tight. gigging
and saying airily: "lndced you do,
Mist Batson! cut the wheels the least
mite more. then Amelia can step across
no need in the world of your gcttin'
out to help her and Brother Gillian
can meet us at the Mathcwsrs Their
yard is such good place To see the
parade"
There must have been fate in II, else
Amelia would have refused. But some
power beyond herself compelled her to
obedience. In wink almost she was
whirlng forward beside the man she
hated. Billy glared after them and set
his teeth. lie made no pretense of civil
talk 10 the woman beside him. Ills
heart WAS so sore. his mind so angry,
ii was almost a miracle that he did not
drive into or over somebody. But by
good hap he got safe to his journeys
end aud found himself Il little later,
with Mrs. Hicks at his elbow. wcdged
into the throng which lined the street
on either side.
Amelia and the minister were lust
across the way. Neither couple had
had time 10 reach the Mathews haven.
The parade WINS already moving when
they came to town, SO they had made
whit shift and haste they might
II was II pteous parade, something
taWdry throughout. and in spots dusty
and threadhare But the lady riders
had superb horses and sat them won
derfnlly. especially Sandra, queen OF
amnzons. 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
blarng ahead.
Sandra was slight and round, with
everywhere about her the suggestion
Of supple strength. She carried crop
TO flourish what time she WAS not
throwing kisses. Every man along the
line uncovered to her. aud here or there
she got hand clapping and cheers.
AS she drew near Amclla'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 | ought not TO be here
Not that there Is any harm In IT, but
we must avoid the very appearance of
evil"
Go, II you can Amelia said DULY.
She was too angry to feel relief In his
absence.
Billy's face had told her things all
she had been fearing. Since he was
lost TO her beyond question she had n
mad wish that the world might end.
Gillian made a pace away, found the
human wall impenetrablc, 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
whiten underneath their rouge saw
her ride straight at the tall, black clad
figure and lash 1t furiously, crying high
and shril:
"You thief You robSer Villain!
You murderer! You are n 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 week later But no wonder he
took us In the deacous and me and
everybody such beautiful letters as he
had. Forged. of course and that poor
creature he left behind, playing on
with the baby just buried-by charity
too. Amelia, 1t makes me creep to
think how near you came to marrying
such n scamp. lie might "a done It If |
hadn't put my foot down that he must
wait till Christmas. when you'd get
| your grandpa'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 pause.
"He wants that 5000 put in trust so
he can't even touch it-along with an
other thousand from him"
81 always said Billy was mighty
good chance" Mrs. Hicks said piously
casting up her eyes.