The Detroit times., 1912-10-04

'orth aud was gone.
That's right" said the general.
Nho grew more fond of his guest with
eyery Dassing remark. Don't be |
ashamed of the past just because you
have money now.
'You blacked boots, too. | be- !
Iieye?" questioned Bartlett, the re,
sults of that unfortunate cotton deal
he had participated in still ranking.
Quite interesting"
The Watermelon had ears only for
Biuy. She spoke and IL was as IL
the Others had been silent
Was II fun?" she asked,
"oh. yes" drawled the Watermelon
sarcastically. 1t was fun all right.
Every body wanted to be waited on
first and everybody wanted the white
meat"
What did they do when they didn't
Get waited on?" asked Billy.
Yelled at me" said the Water
melon. "as il | was their servant.
This is free country and We are all
equal. I said that TO one old gent
once and IL raised Cain"
"What'd he say"
''He said that might be, but we
didn't remain equal"
What did you say"
II said. 1 know Il and am sorry
for you. sir, Don't blame yourself too
much. | said Was IL drink that did
ito When | left they didn't give me
any pay
why not?' asked Billy. eagerly
amused
They said | had broken too many
dishes. said II ! had known they
we're going TO keep my pay. | would
have broken twice as many"
why didn't you do IL. them" asked
Billy. whose ideas of vengeance were
young and drastic.
TOO much work" explained the
Watermelon. If wasn't extra
strong. wouldn't have been able to
break what l did"
II presume you return to the city
tonIght?" questioned Bartlett.
The Watermelon thought OF the
shivering wretch who was trying TO
hide his nakedness In the forest
depths and shook his head. I'm leav-
ing about three" said he, putting the
parting off as long as possible be
cause of Billy. IL hurt him TO think
OF leaving her. even then. charming,
dainty Billy.
TEL me some other things you
have DONE" teased Billy.
"If I sat over that side, said the
Watermelon with the boldness OF
desperation. In two short hours they
would part for good, so why not make
the most OF the short time allowed!
"If I sat over that side, could tell
you so much better the sad, sweet
story of my life."
"Come on laughed Billy. And the
Watermelon rose, to the amusement
OF those nearest, went around the
table and drew up a chair beside
Billy, with the general on the other
side OF him.
Henrietta made vain attempts 10
take a hostess part in the conyersa-
ton, and both Billy and the water
melon made equally polite and good
natured endeavors to include her, Dut
when two are young, and one Is
pretty and the other handsome, a
third person assumes the proportions
of not a crowd so much as a mob.
The general was enjoying himself
suffciently with his dinner. He and
Bartlett had gone TO the same school
and he felt as much right TO neglect
Bartlett as though he had been
brother Henrietta turned to Bartlett
and they chatted on the trivial ar.
fairs of the day. while Henrietta won
dered II she did seem so very old TO
the Watermelon and Bartlett matured
a plan that had come 10 him like an
inspiration as he watched the Wa
termelons frank admiration for Billy.
In the crash on the street which
had broken the cotton ring and had
brought a comparatively young and
hitherto unknown man into promi-
nence, Bartlett had lost more than
he cared to think about. Though his
name had not appeared, he had been
heavily involved. The ring had need
ed but week, day, more to bring
II TO perfection, then in a night. from
whence hardly soul knew, having
worked quietly. steadily. persistently,
this unforeseen factor had arisen and
defeat stared the ring In the face.
Another week would bring complete
collapse unless this William Har-
grave Bachelor could be suppressed.
They had tried TO see him, but he
would not be seen. Clearly he had
no price. preferring to fight to a nm
ish. which was an admirable quality
i'm one so young. but hardly to be de-
sired in an opponent who unfortu-
nately had every chance TO win. Vol
unfairly, he would not leave the fight.
but II he could be suppressed? The
Saturday was the crucial
time. II he did not return until the
day after?
Bartlett had left the city late the
previous afternoon to spend Sunday
with Billy, away from the heat and
worry OF the scene OF battle, and here
was William Hargrave Bachelor. ap-
parently doing the same thing. Clear
ly II was a dispensation of Provi-
dence. There was Billy, and after all
William Hargrave Bachelor was
young and human. He had probably
never known girls like Billy before.
or dined with them as equals. he GER
tainly had made no attempt to hide
his admiration for this particular one.
Bartlett chatted gaily with Henri
eta and watched the two opposite.
trying to decide IL IL would be pos
sible to kidnap the young man for a
week. take him farther into the coun-
try, get him away from Wall-st. at