The Washington herald., 1912-10-13

ing the day had gone down with th'
sun, while the ocean heaved and moan
ed in long, green swells and ran softl,
whispering up the beach and splashet
against the rocks with hardly a hak'
of foam The sun, sinking behind ths
hills. cast long orange and pink streak!
across the waves, and turned the small
white clouds overhead dainty, ros,
mass of drifting color.
Bartlett and Billy strolled dc:yn the
winding street of the little seaside rowr
out on the pier and stood idly waiting
for the evening mailboat to arrive. Hen
rietta and the general were coming on
the evening boat to spend the autumn
in small cottage which the general
was pleased to call his shooting box.
But Bartlett's pleasure at seeing Henri
eta once more was mingled with worry
and uneasiness over Billy and the Wa
termelon. He smoked thoughtfully
and watched Billy warily, tenderly. She
leaned against a pile and gazed over
the vast unrest of the ocean to the
distant horizon, with dreaming, unfath-
omable eyes. Bartlett knew of whom
she was thinking, whom waiting for
more and more eagerly every day now
as August drew to close and still he
did not come But this evening he had
come, he was in the same neighborhood,
drunk and probably hungry. When
they met, as they must and that shortly,
would he make a scene, become loud
mouthed, foul, abusive. 1t would be
hard on Billy. and Bartlett wished vain
ly that he could spare her. But it was
best that she should know, should un-
derstand fully and with sudden quick
cut it would be over with, the June
madness when one is young and pretty
and care-free Billy would read her
folly in the bleared eyes of shiftless
fool. Yet the boy was clever in get
ting out of a tight place, and Bartlett
admired cleverness intensely, not being
slow himself when it came to a hard
bargain. The boy had gentle blood in
his veins, too, more's the pity. 1t was
simply a case of a good family gone
to seed. Poor little Billy and her puppy
love! A most unfortunate affair. the
whole mistaken, unhappy business!
There comes the Mary Gloucester"
said Billy. breaking into his thoughts.
She nodded toward the yacht, steam
ing majestically around the headland.
pennons gayly waving and the bright
awning splash of color in the after
glow.
The Mary Gloucester chuekled
Bartlett That woman hasn't the sense
of her ugly little poodle dog"
Il know" said Billy. that is why l
have always been so afraid of herr
why afraid Of her."
For a mother" explained Billy TN
fortunately, but Enthusiastically saying
the wrong thing.
Bartlett flushed. You just admitted
that she was a fool Do you think
would marry that kind of woman
Men always do said Billy. A
fools bad enough. but fool and money
are simply irresistible"
You know too much for your age"
said Bartlett coldly.
Il don't exactly know it." blundered
Billy Il just see it,
Billy, have you ever seen me"
"Yes. father. That night in the pa
vilion at the Ainsleys'-"
That will do. Billy"
Billy was hurt Il don't mean 70 be
nasty. i...i,er: but you asked me-"
"Th::c comes the mail boat" inter
ruptei Bartlett firmly.
Billy !1oked at it and sighed. 1t was
the last of August and Jeroboam Mar
tin had not come. Had he forgotten
in two short months.
Bartlett laid his hand tenderly on
her shoulder. Forge, him, grille. He's
not worthy of YOU
HE said he would come whispered
Billy.
IF he doesn't, dear. you have me.
We have stood together through ev-
erything for eighteen years and will
stand, still. eh. Billy"
Billy bent her head and rubbed her
cheek against the hand on her shoulder |
with half laugh and half sob.
With the first sight of the smoke on
The horizon. heralding the approach of
The principal event of the day, the ar
rival of the evening mail, a crowd had
,egun to gather. the usual motley crowd |
IF summer resort on the coast. Towns
people hung indifferently on the out
skirts, while the summer visitors. in
iainty dresses and baggy trousers. sun
,urnt, joyial. indcfatigable. pressed to
he front The hum of talk and laugh
er grew as the crowd grew. good ma
ured. meaningless chatter The sight
# the Mary Gloucester. steaming grace
ully into port, was greeted with gay
lutter of handkerchiefs and straw hats,
nd Billy and Bartlett. standing where
he yacht would dock. were soon the
enter of the laughing. merry crowd,
eady and eager to welcome home the
tout widow. her unfortunate ehaperon
nd the two Supplements as vii
age wag called the fat Henry and the
lin BERTHE.
As the yacht drew near. the widows
orpulent form was seen by the rail,
m one side a tall youth. and on the
ther, two. side by side and apparently
n no very good humor.
Three. by George" cried Blatts. a
rosperous brewer from Milwaukee.
She left here with two and returns
With three. Where did she get him.
sartlett?"
But Bartlett did not answer, did not
ear. The gangplank had been lower
d and he was watching in numb fas-
nation. the tall youth walking beside
he widow. her ridiculous dog in his
rms. 1t was Jeroboam Martin in an
Immaculate white suit of Bertie's. His
at was off and his hair. after the swim,
leaned soft and yellow. For the sake
{ the widow upon whose boat he found
imself, he had shaved as we'll as he
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