The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-10


But she was good fellow-mucn
too good to spoil sport. Elizabeth
meant It all for no more than spor,
until. all at once. with no word O:
warning, Billy came to Old Town.
Couldn't help it-with home so hot.
and all the things you told o. going
on up here" he explained Hay rides
and boat rides. and auto rides and
everything. Gee! felt I must get
into the game"
You'll have no trouble whatever,
honey" Sara said, coming up behind
Billy and Elizabeth. I'm nobody but
Sara" she went on. Let me recon-
mend myself. though. as the latest
improved variety of gooseberry.
can look bless you. my children In
three languages, and seven ways at
once. And you'll need to bless me
but for my vigilance Elizabeth
would have been run away with long
ago"
I'D say it-even without that"
Billy answered gallantly. holding both
Sara's hands and looking down into
her eyes. They were blue eyes, but
snappy for all that. They returned
his gaze steadily until Sara felt moved
to say:
"You don't look Texas-not the least
bit-but. then. neither does Eliza
BETH"
DO not forgive us! Nobody can
quite look Texas-it's the finest state
anywhere" Billy answered, Loyalty.
But we do the best we can"
A week showed that Billy could,
and did. fit In beautifully. Craig, even,
could not resist him after the first
two hours. Billy had a way with him,
as insinuating as his gentle slurring
drawl; moreover. he was gallant, also
a beautiful spender. and plentifully
supplied with wherewithal to spend.
His spending was without ostentation
yet he managed somehow to pay al
ways little more than his share
Craig swore at him inwardly over the
fact. Aloud II was quite impossible.
Elizabeth exulted In Billy-as
comrade. though. not possession
She had been too happy to think be-
yond the moment--she was happy
still. but with underneath a sense Of
disquiet. Something surprised now
and then. in Craig's eyes, some In
feetion of his voice when he was of
guard. formed the roots of the dis
quiet Dimly she understood what
she had come to mean to him-as
dimly she felt that he ought TO know
the truth-yet she would rather die
than tell him.
Thus. uneasy and perplexed. she
turned instinctively to the thought
OF Sara. Perhaps. II Sara tried, she
could make Craig forget-Elizabeth
had faith simply boundless In her
cousin. A level head had Sara-with
her. to will was to do. Elizabeth hoped
she might will to captivate Craig-if
1t were put upon the ground of cousin.
ly succor.
When woman disposes man some
times proposes. At the end of fort
night Billy's mind was made up. He
chuckled a bit over the final making
up. saying to his cigar: We'll go
home to get married-all Of us--only
thing to do--it'll pacify the Judge and
Marse Willyum."
Marse Willyum was bis father. the
Judge. Elizabeth's. After his disre-
spectful comment upon them. Billy
strolled over to the Rowland place.
smiling his most innocent smile.
He found things taking place there
things unusual. In the wide dim
parlor rarely opened. Craig had set up
g. picture nearly complete. the Spirit
of Dawn-Elizabeth to the life, but
Elizabeth transfgured by love and
the morning. Billy looked at the pic
ture. his eyes diInming the least bit
Then he laid hand on Craig's arm.
saying: II must have that"
Craig shook his head-he dared not
speak. Billy went on: 'I'll pey you
price for 1t. You can't deny I have
the right to It,"
II won't sell it." Craig said curtly
Even If 1t were finished. nobody
could buy it."
Then give II to me-" Billy per-
sisted
Craig glared at him--Billy smiled
infantinely. "As a wedding present.
you know." he went on. You oughtn't
to gEdge 1t to me and-Sara," strid-
Ing t. that young woman, and slip
ping his arm about her waist. 81
meant to say I'd give Won the orig
inal." he added. But really reckon
she isn't mine TO give"
Shut up! And come out on the
porch" Sara interrupted. shaking her
head at Billy. "Don't you see those
two can't speak until they catch
breath"
Just az you say, boss" Billy an
swered meekly. but chuckling hard.
Over his shoulder ne saw Craig and