The Parker post., 1911-07-29

Belshazzar, despalrlng at last of cap
turing the mole, cooked an ear inquir-
ingly at each of his audience in turn,
and, neither offering further divertise-
ment, curled himself up comfortably
between Billys feet and went to Sleep
Billy cogitated further Uncle Jack
nad openly evinced pronounced fond
ness for the society of Bessie's aunt.
and now when by all precedent he
should have been playing golf with
ler, he was sitting on the garden steps
staring gloomily at nothing.
For this state of affairs there could
De but one plausible explanation. Bes-
sie's aunt had deceived Uncle Jack,
even as Bessie had deceived him. Girls
were all alike.
Then suddenly he rememberd hav-
ing seen her whizzing down the ave-
lue earlier in the day in Mr.. Stan
hopes auto, with Mr.. Stanhope at the
steering wheel. That luckless individ-
lal had once patronizingly addressed
him as my little man." and Billy de-
tested him accordingly
'Pll punch him. reflected Billy
aloud, vindictively.
'Who-what?" asked Uncle Jack,
startled.
'Mr Stanhope," explained Billy. 81
saw Bessies aunt out riding with him
in his auto
Uncle Jack stared Then he laughed
We'll you are an Observant little
oeggar," he conceded admiringly
Though that isn't the root of the
difficulty, Billy Boy. Mr.. Stanhope is
merely an accessory after the fact
non particeps criminis, as it WERE"
This being too deep for Billys COM
prehension, he ignored it and opened
Up a new line of investigation. What
IS the matter, them" he demanded
calmly.
I'VE quarreled," confessed Uncle
Jack
What about?" Billy's inquisitorial
tune was recognized and feared on ac-
casions by all the family
Uncle Jack shrugged his shoulders.
You can search me-" he answered ex-
pressively. 81 don't know what about
The fact remains that we did quarrel,
and now she won't speak to me, so |
can't tell her I'm sorry and ask her to
make up"
Are you sorry?" demanded Billy.
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry all right" admit
ted Uncle Jack with a rueful laugh.
any, so don't bother your curly head
about it. Billy Boy You'll have trou-
bles of your own some day"
Billy thought of the inconstant Bes-
sic and wisely remained silent
Belshazzar, waking, stretched him
self lazily and wandered out of sight
around the corner of the house. Billy,
absorbed in thought, followed If
Uncle Jack really wanted to make up,
surely Bessie's aunt ought to be in
form ed OF the fact.
''Fn go tell her." decided Billy
sagely
Behold then presently Billy trudging
sturdily up the street with Belshaz-
Ear tagging happily at his heels. When
he had turned the first corner he
spied Bessie's aunt, book in hand, COM
fOrtably enscOnced in a hammock in
the shelter of tiny summer house.
Making their way directly across the
lawn, Billy and Belshazzar appeared
before her with disconcerting sud
denness.
"Why-how do you do, Billy Boy?"
said Bessie's aunt a little uncertainty.
1t was hard to presage what visit
from Billy might portend.
How do you dO?" responded Billy
with owl-like gravity; then wrinkling
his forehead thoughtfully, he regarded
her with unwinking gaze for an appre-
ciable space of time
Il don't think you're pretty" he
stated at last judicially.
Bessie's aunt laughed deliciously
ITO tell the truth, Billy" she admit
ted confidentially, 81 don't think so
either"
But l guess my Uncle Jack does,"
continued Billy, whereat Bessie's
aunt forgot to laugh and blushed in
stead. And he don't know what you