Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-08-04

looking admiringly at the picture OF a
green trees. Upon the opposite side of
the card he read:
Dear Mother-Cousin Robert and his
friend met me at the station. / am hav-
ing fine time. ISABEL
$50 she's away" Mike mused, 1T
tie disappointedly. We'll, she'll have
the good time all right" And so 1t
seemed, judging from the many gala
postals interspersed with thick letters
which were received daily at the stone
house. '.~.,>. s'-.
Miss Isabel wrote constantly OF pleas.
ure trips with Cousin Robert and his
friend" who later came to be desig
mated as Roberts friend Billy" and
then when the long summer was draw
Ing to an end the obliging Cousin Rob.
ert's company seemed to be dispensed
with, for the postals read simply, Bill
ly and were here today"
Mike chuckled as he handed one Of
these cards to the maid. she won't
be coming home in hurry" he said
confdentially. But in this he was mis-
taken, for she came smilingly to meet
him few days afterward
81 suppose | will have Il bundle OF
letters for you soon" he remarked.
II hope So" she answered eayly.
He searched eXpectantly through his
pack next morning, and, sure enough,
there 1t was, Il will write you to-
night-yours, Billy" while a printed
verse stated the fact that absence
makes the heart grow fonder."
They came thick and fast after that
letters, cards, a photograph or two
and bulging little packages, all address
ed In the same free. bold hand which
Mike learned TO recognize instantly.
Isabel was always there as he came
down the street apparently absorbed
in sewing or lowering about the rose
bush with u great lrCtUnSe of examin-
6 its leaves. When Nike presented
lis offering she would receive II with
the open delight OF a child.
Its from Billy" he would say and
go away laughing at her confusion
The Old postman was vastly Interested
in the unfolding love story, but there
came time when the girl waited IN
vain, and he dreaded to meet her
questioning eyes. for Rillys letters had
ceased abruptly.
Mike pondered deeply. The shrewd
eyes could read more than postal
cards, and pc was sure that she had
been too fond of this Billy to send him
away. Had the mother interfered or
his face darkened savagely-was the
fellow himself to blameY
One morning as Mike was preparing
to start out upon his rounds the IA
miliar bold handwriting flashed into
Tiew as though in answer to his trou-
bled thoughts. The freckled hand
trembled as he held the postal up to
the light. 1t was the picture of n
great ocean steamer, and the message
upon the addressed side danced dizzily
for moment before his eyes, Have
engaged passage for Oct. o." he read
"Goodby forever, little Isabel Drew.
Billy"
And the old postman fought with the
greatest temptation Of his life-to de-
stroy part of Uncle Sans mail.
When he saw the little white lady
leaning back wearily in her chair upon
the veranda Mike was certain that he
would have preferred to pay the full
penalty due such crime than to have
been the bearer Of this cruel missive.
He avoided her eyes as he turned
away, but there was tremulous little
catch in the voice which thanked him.
To his great relief, Isabel no longer
awaited his coming. and when he next
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