Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1911-07-14
By MAITLAND L. OSBORNE


tested MIN accordingly.
III punch him." reflected Billy
aloud, vindictively.
"Who-what?' asked Uncle Jack.
startled.
MIR. Stanhope," explained Billy. II
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 a~dmiringly.
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 Billy's COM
~prehension, he ignored 1t n opened
up a new line of investigation. What
is the matter, then?" he demanded
calmly.
I'VE quarreled." confessed Uncle
Jack.
What about?" Billy's inquisitorial
tune was recognized and feared on &C
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.
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 ome 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-
gar 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 sud
denness.
"Why-how do you do, Billy Boy?"
, said Bessie's aun 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'
;, ciable space of time.
Il don't think yours pretty" he
stated at last judiciallS.
Bessie's aunt laughed d%eliciously.
y ITO tell the truth, Billy" she admit
ted c~onfdentially. II don't think sc
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
and him quarreled about" went OF
= Billy gravely, but he's sorry anyway
and it wasn't about Mr.. Stanhope, be
: cause he says Mr.. Stanhope is a non
non-something that ! forget, but If
was Uncle Jack I'd punch him." salt
e Billy, doubling up his fists ~belligerent
ly. Anyway, l think Uncle Jack
q lots nicer than Mr.. ~Stanhope." h
added.
so do l." admitted Bessie's aunt
after thoughtful consideration. An
;. did you say he was sorfy?" she asked
~ Billy nodded emphatically.
H. "Well-if he's sorry Bessie
=, aunt was visibly impressed.
.sWhy-there's Uncle Jack now!" al
nd nounced Billy, pointing an accusin
finger. Uncle Jack! Uncle Jack!
he called shrilly.
,r+ Uncle Jack turned his head, but
was not at Billy that he looked. II
must have read forgiveness in tn
N. glance of Bessie's aunt, for a momeI
ir- later he was crossing the lawn.
N I'm afraid my small nephew hs
%. been disturbing you," he apologize
,ly picking up the book that Bessie's aul
ID, had conveniently dropped. n careft
ok ly restoring it to her.
nd Not in the least" smiled Bessie
MT. aunt. We've been exchanging con
he dences on-oh, lots of personal me-
18th tiers" She hunted diligently for II
,ps place she had lost when she dropp'
the book. He says you are sorry"
uld II am abjectly repentant," he
es. sured her gravely.
ok, Bessie appeared. pinked-cheeke
---loa lonn1ro Ar Gig
of Billy she chewed ref1ectively
av one chubby finger and smiled at ri
ingenuously. -.