The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-03-19


ed Dolly careering about with a little
soldier boy. Seeing them, she stopped
her youthful warrier in midcareer and
came laughing and painting up to them
Billy did not catch the quick smile of
welcome she gave him before she greet
ed Alwyn, but with a bitter pang he
saw Alwyn's impressive greeting, her
answering gayety, and turned away
Il th-think I'll go and smoke" he said
to himself sadly.
Alwyn had only done himself Justice
when he told Dolly their steps fitted to
nicely. They danced three waltzes
together occasionally catching a
glimpse of Billy's downcast face ap-
pearing and re-appearing among the
whirling couples. "Oh, do look!" said
Alwyn, jeeringly, as Billy brought his
partner by main force out OF the frying
pan of a dowager's lap into the fire Of
the second fiddle, who and whose fiddle
subsidized with a mutual screech into
galaxy of ferns and flowers. Poor
Billy! he should have more respect for
your sex than to dance with them. See
all the dowagers toes tucked in like
crabs when he comes along" Dolly
| laughed and Billy emerging GREATNESS
with an irate partner from the midst
of the band felt keen pang strike
through his honest heart as he heard
it. tAh, WE'LL" he thought YEARLY,
what does anything matter now? I'll
c-cut all this to-tommy rot and go
| shooting somewhere.
Poor Billy, indeed! His eyes invol
UNFAIRLY filled as he saw his friend lead
ing Dolly toward secluded alcove, and
he thought of his chance of happiness.
But then Alwyn's just the sort of fas.
cinating chap the girls like; wouldn't
have b-been in it anyhow" he thought
mournfully.
That dance came to an end, and the
next, and still there was no sign of the
satisfied Alwyn Billys dance with
Dolly was the next on the program, and
| he desperately resolved to break in
upon Alwyn's love making after all,
he'll have her all his life" he said,
80 my five minutes c-can hardly
c-count."
AS he expected he found Dolly lean
! ing back on the settee in the alcove
above the stairs, but to his astonish-
ment she was alone.
Excuse me, Miss Kitcat," he said,
abjectly, "b-but thought Alwyn was
with you"
| Dolly turned rather tired little face
toward him. "Mr Romano was here
she said, simply, but he has just gone,
and | was about to come and look for
you. You cut my first dance, and you
haven't been near me the whole even,
ing I'm very offended, and won't
dance with you, as I have had quite
enough excitement this evening. But,
dear Mr.. Billy, seat your CHEEKY self
here for bit and let me try and for.
/ give you"
Billy with puzzled look on his face
sat himself down at her side, and then,
turning his honest, manly face to hers,
he said firmly in low voice:
'L-look here, D-Dolly-I may c-call
you Dolly once, mayn't I?-and as
you and Alwyn l-l-love each other, and
he and I are such old friends, shall
have to learn how
"But''-Dolly broke in
"Hush!" said Billy, gently patting
her hand. Il must say while c-cau
what I've c-come to say, and th-that is
grgoodby, Dolly; so forgive me every
thing t-tonight-for c-care for you and
sol am going away. II c-can't bear
to stay b-but I'm SO p-pleased you're,
going to marry such "a c-clever and
g-good f-fellow as Alwyn. It's g-good-
by, d-dear Dolly" said Billy desperate
ly rising as he spoke. ''I'Il c-come back
so-some day ana stay with you b-both
and shoot the b-birdies.'' He stopped,
unable to continue, when Dolly ex-
claimed.
We'll, you and Mr.. Romano seem to
have settled my future nicely between
you. Mr.. Romano has indeed proposed
to me, but, Billy" she continued soft
ly, Il could never marry him, because"
She paused Billy's heart stood still.
N-never marry him? Oh, I know
poor old Alwyn's t-too b-badly off, but,
Dolly, see here" he said timidly,
''d-don't be offended, but remember
you've adopted me as s-sort of broth.
er, haven't you? I'm beastly rich, in
f-fact, and it would be heaven flor me
to help you b-both. Do-do let me-
Dolly. Give me my little share in your
happiness. Do speak, Dolly! All, why
are you crying? GOOD knows didn't
mean to offend you" he said, his voice
breaking
Dolly pressed his arm. "Sit down
again. Do l don't know why l cried
hnt-vnn are s11nh q rood fnllo.,, I1il1,r