The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-04-08

tess gracious welcome at once parcs,.
ed Dolly careering about with a litn.
soldier boy. Seeing them, she stonnos
her youthful warrior in midcareer ans
came laughing and painting up to them
Billy did not catch the quick smlls !,
welcome she gave him before she gros,
ed Alwyn, but with a bitter papg \.
saw Alwyn's impressive greeting bs.
answering gayety and turned awsy
Il th-think I'll go and smoke" he ~
to himself sadly.
Alwyn had only done himself iust,o.
when he told Dolly their steps fttal ~
a nicely. They danced three walt,ss
together occasionally catching
glimpse of Billys downcast face an
pearing and re-appearing among bo
whirling couples. "Oh, do look" sai6
Alwyn, jeeringly, as Billy brought HE
partner by main force out Of the irwin
pan Of a dowager's lap into the fire. %
the second fiddle, who and whose RddIa
subsidized with a mutual screecb into
galaxy Of ferns and flowers. "poo,
Billy! he should have more respect fo.
your sex than to dance with them sso
all the dowagers' toes tucked in IiLe
crabs when he comes along" Dollv
laughed and Billy emerging breatbIes.
with an irate partner from the midst
Of the band felt a keen pang STRIFE
through his honest heart as he heard
It, "Ah, well!" he thought YEARLY
what does anything matter now? I'm
c-cut all this totommy rot and go
shooting somewhere"
Poor Billy, indeed! His eyes ipvol
UNFAIRLY filled as he saw his friend lead.
ing Dolly toward a 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 though.
mournfully.
That dance came to an end, and the
next, and still there was no sign of the
satisfied Alwyn. Billy's 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
so 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 astonisb-
ment she was alone
Excuse me, Miss Kitcat," he said
abjectly, "b-but l thought Alwyn was
with you"
Dolly turned a 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 l 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 a puzzled look on his face
sat himself down at her side, and then,
turning his honest, manly face TO hers,
he said firmly in a 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 are such old friends, l shall
have to learn how
"But"-Dolly broke in.
"Hush!" said Billy, gently pattng
her hand. Il must say while c-can
what I've c-come to say, and th.that is
s'goodby, Dolly; so forgive me every
hing t-tonight-for l c-care for you and
sol am going away. IL c-can't bear
10 stay, b-but I'm so p-pleased you're
going to marry such a c-clever and
y-good f-fellow as Alwyn. It's g-goOd.
by, d-dear Dolly" said Billy desperate
y rising as he spoke. "Ill c-come back
io-some day and stay with you b.both
and shoot the b-birdies." He stopped,
Unable to continue, when Dolly ex'
Well you and Mr. Romano seem TO
nave settled my future nicely between
you. Mr.. Romano has indeed proposed
o me, but, Billy" she continued soft
y, Il could never marry him, because"
She paused. Billys heart stood still
"N-never marry him? Oh. know
'oor old Alwyn's t-too b-badly of, but
DOLLY, see here" he said timidly.
'd'don't be offended, but remember
'ou'ye adopted me as a s-sort of broth
r. haven't you? I'm beastly rich, in
fact. and it would be heaven flor me
o help you b-both. Do-do let me-
Dolly. Give me my little share in your
happiness. Do speak, Dolly! All, why
re you cryinp9 CCod knovve / didn't A