St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-05

turing the mole, cooked an ear inquir-
ingly at each of his audience In turn,
and, neither offering further divertise-
ment, curled himself mp comfortably
between Billy's feet and went to sleep.
Billy cogitated further Uncle Jack
had openly evinced q pronounced fond
ness for the society of Bessie's aunt,
and now when by all precedent he
should have been playing golf with
her, he was sitting on the garden steps
staring gloomily at nothing.
For this state OF affairs there could
be but one plausible explanation. Bees
sizes aunt had deceived Uncle Jack,
even as Bessie had deceived him. Girls
were all alike
Then suddenly he Remembered hav-
ing seen her Whixzing down the ave-
nue. earlier In the day In Mr.. STAN
hopes auto, with Mr.. Stanhope at the
steering wheel That luckless individ-
ual had once patronizingly addressed
him as my little man. and Billy de-
tested him accordingly.
I'll punch him." reflected Billy
aloud, vindictively
"Who-what?" asked Uncle Jack,
startled.
Mr.. Stanhope," explained Billy. 81
saw Bessie's aunt out riding with him
in his auto.''<
Uncle Jack stared. Then he laughed
We'll you are an observant little
beggar," 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 1t We're"
This being too deep for Billy's 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.
f'You can search me-" he answered ex-
pressively. II 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.
; ooh, yes, I'm sorry all right" admit
ted Uncle Jack with rueful laugh.
'However, that don't mend matters
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 II
Uncle Jack really wanted to make up,
surely Bessie's aunt ought to be In
formed of the fact.
''Tll 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 a tiny summer house.
Making their way directly across the
lawn, Billy and Belshazzar appeared
before her with disconcerting sad
denness.
.'Why-how do you do, Billy Boy?"
said Bessie's aunt a little uncertainty.
1t was hard to presage what a 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-
ciab1e space of time.
ST 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 I 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
and him quarreled about" went on
Billy gravely. "but he's sorry anyway,
and it wasn't about Mr.. Stanhope, be-
cause he says Mr. Stanhope Is non
n-something that forget. but If I
was Uncle Jack I'd punch him." said
Billy. doubling up his fists belligerent-
ly. Anyway, I think Uncle Jack is
lots nicer than Mr.. Stanhope." he
added.
$50 do T." admitted Bessies aunt,
after thoughtful consideration. And
did you say he was sorry?" she asked.
Billy nodded emphatically.
. "We1l-if he's sorry" Bessie's
aunt was visibly impressed.
''Why-there's Uncle Jack nowi" an
Billy, pointing an accusing
finger Uncle Jack! Uncle jack"
he called shrilly.
Uncle Jack turned hts head. but it
was not at Billy that he looked. He
must have read forgiveness in the
glance of Bessie's aunt, for a moment |
later he was crossing the lawn.
I'm afraid my small nephew has
been disturbing you," he apologized,
,,;elrinc- ,1r. +he hook that Rassie,e amt