The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-03-10

ChdJlOu, dS RUE, COlSlSleu III dlIluS
his own-"And, old fellow, congratulate
me, for I'm going to propose at the
dance tonight, and you shall be the
to wish us luck. She's not rich, but
she has some money and nice little
place in the country, where you shall
come and shoot the brides, my boy"
Poor Billy's face grew as white as
sheet as somewhat roughly he pulled
his enthusiastic companion out of the
way of passing hanson, but he set
his teeth grimly and was silent, which
however did not affect his friend, who
chartered graciously about his growing
prospects of matrimonial bliss until
they reached the door of DaTells
club, when Billy turned to his friend
and said in a shaky voice, "Lo-look
here, Alwyn, you are an old p-pal of
mine, and |, I-er-wish you the be-
best of everything. M-make her happy,
old chap, thth-that's all. No-don't
trouble to come in. I've letters to
write" and he darted into the lighted
doorway. Alwyn stared after him.
looks; can it be possible he cares for
Dolly himself?" he said with laugh,
and with laugh dismissed the posi-
bility. Good old Bill! wonder
whether he'll rise a monkey just to
help me over the arrangements" he
said to himself as he turned up his
coat collar and sauntered home to his
tiny rooms in Bury street.
The jingle jingle of the bells on
Alwyn's hanson speeding swiftly to
Mrs. Scott-Bowlers magnificent house
in Curzon street sounded to his infat-
uated ears as distant wedding bells.
Yes, he ruminated, he had decidedly
chosen we'll. Miss Kitcat understood
him and his aims and his ambitions so
well-which was not far from the truth
and on their-he meant Dolly's-in-
come life would be free OF the gross
mundane cares which at present hamp-
cred the free expression of his genius.
Of course, the wedding would be ex-
pensive, but Billy! he would dedicate
his first book to him, and with that
magnanimous idea his hanson drew
up with clatter in front of a house
which radiated light and dance and
song for the benefit of les bouches in
Wiles, who according to custom lined
the red carpet from the doorway to
the curb.
In the hall he met Billy, his usually
jolly face looking quite careworn and
thin.
Bravo, William" said the facetious
Alwyn; come to be in at the kill, eh?
Has-er-Dolly arrived YETI"
81 dodon't know" said Billy mourn.
fully. Il haven't be-been up yet. The
Bowler woman st-starts be-beaming
when any one gets on the first step and
| c-can't be-beam myself up long
f-fight of stairs. | sh-shouldnt have
a ti-titter left at the t-top If l d-did."
Never mind, old man." said Alwyn,
cheerfully, taking his arm, "we'll face
1t together"
Mrs. Scott-Bowler swelled with salts
faction. Scott-Bowler's patent dye had
justified its existance and had at last
transplanted It's owners from footing
to Mayfair where they blossomed out
gorgeously with hyphenated name
and a huge coat of arms Oh, that coat
OF arms! 1t was ubiquitous, Visitors
rested their weary heads on 1t embroid-
cred on the pillows and came down
next morning with its crimson imprint
on their cheeks. 1t stared from the
walls, hurt you when you sat down on
a chair, and gazed vacantly at the CELL
ing from the middle of the hall car
pet, but Mrs Scott was satisfied. This
was her first big dance, and the quan-
tity OF the quality exceeded her widest
expectations.
Alwyn. and Billy, after emerging from
the over-powering effect of their hos
tess gracious welcome at once perceiv.
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 bitter pang he
saw Alwyn's impressive greeting, her
answering gayety, and turned away.
1 th-think III go and smoke" he said
ito himself sadly
Alwyn had only done himself justice
when he told Dolly their steps fitted to
nicety. They danced three waltzes
together occasionally catching
glimpse of Billy's downcast face ap-
pearing and re-appearing among the
whfrling couples. "Oh, do look!" said
Alwyn, 1eeringly, as Billy brought his
partner by main force out Of the frying
pan OF dowaeer's lap into the fire of
the second fiddle, who and whose fiddle
subsidized with marual screech into a
galaxy of ferns and flowers. Poor
Billy! he should have more respect for
your sex than to dance with them. See
IoII L.