The Washington herald., 1912-10-13

said. he would come, and there he was
Further she did not question. Their
eyes met over the heads OF the people,
eager questioning in his. joyous answer
Hastily he dropped the pup with the
sky-blue bow upon the wharf, among
the plebeian feet there assembled, and
reaching Billy's side through the crowd,
grabbed both small hands and stood
laughing down at her.
Billy he whispered, "Oh, you
Billy"
There was, there must be some ex-
rlanation, Bartlett told himself desper-
ate.y; 1t could not be that this was
not Martin. Bartlett had not slept
with The youth for nearly a week with
out being pretty familiar with the long
!ank form, the thin, careless face And
IS was equally impossible that the for
lorn piece of humanity who had stood
that afternoon in the drawing room
and inquired for Billy was not Martin.
They were one and the same and once
more he and Billy had met on equal
footing. To ask the boy again to get
drunk was an absurdity.
Il suppose can give him job whers
he won't have much more to do than
draw his pay thought Bartlett, hope
lessly, dazedly.
The Watermelon dropped BilIy'a
hands and turned to her father in we'll
bred greeting, but their eyes met and
in the Watermelon's was grim defiance.
he had seen Billy again and nothing
could part them now. All his humility
and repentance had gone. and in their
place was his old-time arrogance and
sublime self-assurance Fate in the
form of little white dog had brought
him and Billy together again. with the
Watermelon, still clean, still well-dress-
ed, and to all outward appearances tho
same as the other gay youths of Billy's
With head up. law shut,
he scorned to lower himself for any
one. He would prove himself worthy,
not unworthy of Billy. Out of his re-
pentance had grown his manhood. He
was no nameless hobo of the great army
of the unemployed He was Jero-
boam Martin, son of the late Reverend
MIR. Martin, in temporary financial enI-
barrassment that could be soon rene
died He would work for Billy and
they would be happy on his wages. He
drew himself up and held out his hand.
Bartlett could take it or not as ne,
pleased. The Watermelon had sought
or desired no mans favor. and Jero-i
boam Martin would not stoop to do So
For one second the two stared at each
other grimly. square jaws shut, lips un-
smiling. then Bartlett's hand shot forth
and he elasped the Watermelon's. !
"Ah. Martini said he, how are you,
ooy.'
And still holding him BY the hand,
ne patted the Watermelon on his arm;
iovially. After all re liked -ne bowl
and right or wrong. wise or foolish.
tate was against any ether action, late,
n the form OF a half-drowned poodle
.og.
The Watermelon rested his ann on
Bartlett's shoulder with boyish affec-
lion. Say, Bartlett" said he in a low
voice. Il got drunk. honest to rights.
But it was so blamed hot; I cooled off
in the ocean before l knew what I
was about and that sobered me up
again. Then I saw something fall from
he yacht and l thought it was a kid
rom the noise they were making. not
ust pup. / swan out to help and of
,ourse they hauled me on board. and
low the widow is planning TO marry
ne
Bartlett roared. Say, boy. er-e-
maybe you need loan until l can seq
bout that job for YOU
Once more their eyes met and this
ime in complete and tender accord.
You're all right" whispered the Wa
ermelon. his face softening. And don't
'ou worry about Billy he added, III
axe care of her
THE END