The Washington herald., 1912-08-25

raised Gam.
'Whatd he say"
He said that might be, but we didn'
remain equal"
What did you say?"
for you, sir: Don't blame yourself toe
lit? When I left they didn't give me
any pay
why not'" asked Billy, eagerl,
amused
"They said l had broken too many
dishes. said if l had known they
were going to keep my pay, l would
have broken twice as many"
why didn't you do it, them" asked
Billy, whose ideas of vengeance were
young and drastic.
J Too much work." explained the
Watermelon. If / wasn't extra
strong, wouldn't have been able to
break what / did"
Il presume you return to the city to-
night" questioned Bartlett
The Watermelon thought of the shiv-
ering wretch who was trying to hide
his nakedness in the forest depths and
shook his head I'm leaving about
three" said he, putting the parting off
as long as possible because OF Billy II
hurt him to think of leaving her, even
then, charming, dainty Billy.
Tell me some other things you have
DONE teased Billy.
IF ! sat over that side" said the
Watermelon with the boldness of des-
peration. In two short hours they
would part for good. so why not make
the most of the short time allowed
IF | 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 chair beside Billy, with
the general on the other side of him.
Henrietta made vain attempts to take
hostess part in the conversation. and
both Billy and the Watermelon made
equally polite and good-natured en-
deavors to include her, but when two
are young. and one is pretty and the
other handsome, third person assumes
the Proportions of not crowd so much
as mob. The general was enjoying
himself sufficiently 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 Bart
lett and they chatted on the trivial af-
fairs of the day. while Henrietta Won
dered if she did seem so very old to
the Watermelon and Bartlett matured
a plan that had come to him like an
inspiration as he watched the Water
melons 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 prominence,
Bartlett had lost more than he cared
TO think about Though his name had
not appeared, he had been heavily i'll
volved. The ring had needed but a
week, day. more TO bring it to per-
fiction, then in a night, from whence
hardly a soul knew. having worked
quietly. steadily, persistently. this I'M
forseen factor had arisen and defeat
stared the ring in the face. Another
week would bring complete collapse I'm
less this William Hargrave Bachelor
could be suppressed They had tried
to see him, but he would not be seen.
Clearly he had no price. preferring TO
lEIll W d Il4A>li. Will was al
able quality in one 50 young. but hard
ly to be desired in an opponent who
unfortunately had every chance to win.
Voluntarily. he would not leave the
fight, but if he could be suppressed?
The following Saturday was the crucial
time. If 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 Batchelor. ap-
parently doing the same thing. Clear
ly it was dispensation of Providence.
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 certainly had made
no attempt to hide his admiration for
this particular one Bartlett chatted
gayly with Henrietta and watched the
two opposite, trying TO decide if it
would be possible to kidnap the young
man for week. take him farther into
the country, get him away from Wall
Street at any cost. Were Billy's charms
equal to the attempt?
William Hargrave Bachelor was
said to be a cold, hard-headed youth,
who had risen by sheer grit and deter
to the place he now held, rid
ing roughshod over his own and ev-
cry one else's desires and pleasures A
calm. imperturbable young man, with
cruel keen eyes, the papers described
him. Watching him across the table,
Bartlett decided that his square jaw
and thin mouth fitted the description
fairly well, but that the eyes were a
contradiction. They were
neither keen nor cruel. but soft and
mild and sleepy. The whole face was
indifferent, and if it were not
for the jaw, Bartlett would have hardly |
believed it possible that Bachelor was
sitting opposite him. His own jaw
snapped and he swore to himself that
he would keep him for a week, either |
through Billy or otherwise So strong |
S the power of suggestion, it did not
.nter his head to question the youths
IDENTITY
They were rising from the tabe now.
The general, having dined to his salts
action, was beaming with good humor
md stories. Excusing himself a mo-
nent. Bartlett hurried to the telegraph
station in the Office. He hunted for