The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-01-28

within him. He knew now why he
was invited to Wellsboro. He knew
why Billy's tone was SO bitter. He
knew why Marcia avoided him and
why her mother had been so gracious
He was las common as dishwater,'
and they all knew It, But they want
ed his money!
On through the storm went the big
machine, rounding the drift-heaped
corners silently, speeding through the
snowy streets with the great lantern
flaming in the twilight.
"If loved a girl Burton said at
last out OF the stiffness, I'D marry
her If | was as poor as Jobs turkey.
I'd marry her If l loved her"
Billy turned and looked at the fat
little figure beside him: "Oh, you!"
he said contemptuously
Burton's head went up. Il may not
be in your class. Bates he said, "but
IL | loved her and she cared, I'd marry
her il | had to run away with her.
But If she didn't--care-sh might beg
me on her knees. She couldn't marry
me for what / have
Well Billys laugh was hateful,
IF you walt until girl cares for you,
you'll wait long time, Burton"
1t was a dastardly thing to say. but
Billy was disgruntled, and Burton
knew it was true. He knew that, ex-
cept for his money, he could not have
touched the outer rim of the circle in
which Marcia and Billy moved. He
was an alien, an outsider, a Pariah!
The automobile drew up to the curb
In front of the big apartment house In
which Burton lived. The little man
got out and Billy started to follow.
NO." Burton said, and Billy stop.
ped, and stared no, ! don't want you
to come in tonight, Billy. My man
will take you home. know you were
upset and all that, but can't quite
get over what you said to me just
now And I am not quite sure that
shall ever get over 1t, Billy"
He was just little puffy, red-faced
plebeian, all bundled up in fur coat
and with his breath coming short, but
in that moment Billy knew that his
hold upon the little man was gone. He
had killed the goose with the golden
egg.
AS Burton went slowly up the steps
the door opened, letting out flood Of
yellow light There was yelp, and
something soft was hurled against his
legs
What is it?" he asked bending
over.
Il kicked him out, SIR the elevator
boy explained from the doorway. Its
a stray dog. He's been about here all
day, sir
We'll, you are nice brute!" Bur.
ton commented as ne picked the moan
ing creature out of the snow and with
the cur in his arms he entered the
elevator
The boy carried him up and landed
him on the fourth floor with the warn.
ing; You'd better let him alone, sir,
He's common cur"
"Humph!" was all the answer that
Burton vouchsafed, and when he had
let himself into his room he dropped
the trembling little creature on the
rug.
So they kicked you out, did they?'
he asked. We'll, you're not the only
one, pupsie."
A half hour later as the dog, washed
and fed, lay luxuriously in front OF
the fire, Burton said again: 80 they
kicked you out? Well, know how It
feels"
Over the fireplace was Burnes-
Jones head Of a girl. 1t was the one
thing in the room that Burton had
selected. All the other elegancies
were the result of Billy's taste. But
that one picture Burton had chosen
because 1t reminded him of Marcia.
Yes, l know how 1t feels" he re-
peated slowly, and suddenly as he sat
there looking at the beautiful droop-
ing head he caught his breath In a
sob, and his own head went down on
his arm, and the room was very still.
The little dog staggered dip on his
weak legs, and casting an inquiring
eye upon the huddled up figure. Then
he put a paw on Burton's knee and
whined.
Burton raised his head and looked
straight into the anxious brown eyes.
"Oh, look here" he said unsteadily,
you know how 1t feels. You're ugly
and common, and nobody wants you"
The other paw was laid on his hand
as the little brute gave sympathetic at.
tention.
Say, let's get out" Burton contin-
ued. You don't fit In here, and l
don't, My mans out tonight, thank
the Lord. or he'd make no end of a
row about you, There's an old aunt
OF mine up in the country. and she's
as poor as | used to be, and she's got
little farm. I'm going to make II
big farm before l get through; and
out there can be the big frog in the
puddle, and we'll tramp around the
country. and therell be people ! can
talk to and not feel they're lookin'
down on me-"
The little dog, hesitating, crawled