The Washington herald., 1912-09-22

4He was stony broke, he wanted
something to eat, see, and he sold his
all for a mess Of pottage. Now. if he
found he didn't like his pottage, could
he. have given it back and gotten his
birthright again! p :.
"Yes, indeed" chirped Billy. Il don't
see why not But why didn't he get
something better than mess OF pot
tage"
Don't ask me. kid. But / guess
you're right. No one can keep your
birthright unless you're willing they
should
81 usually know more about the
Bible" stammered Billy. fearful of the
impression her ignorance must have
made. II know about Moses and Ruth. "
The Watermelon nodded. You see,
was raised on the Bible" he said
kindly.
ed on Mellen's food"
A step was heard on the floor above
and she started hastily. Il guess | had
better be going" she whispered. Good
night, Jerry"
Good night, Billy"
She slipped away and the Watermelon
was again alone.
"She's right. If you don't like your
pottage, you can get your birthright
back. l can leave note" he thought
and laughed bitterly. Haven't thing,
name. clothes, honor. Sneak away like
a whipped cur Gosh. I'll be hanged il
/ can't do something respectable. | will
tell them in the morning and they can
do and say what they please. If you've
sold your birthright TO the Old Man,
you have to go after it in person to get
il back. Why the deuce did | fall in
love with Billy? | had fun in the be-
ginning-but nowr
When the Watermelon awoke next
morning he lay for a time, stretching
and yawning in the comfortable bed
and the pea-green silh pajamas he had
found in the suit case in Bachelor S
car. He glanced at the general slumber-
ing beside him, his mouth open and his
round fat face as pink as the pink cot
ton pajamas he wore.
Here's me in silk and him in cot
ton," thought the Watermelon. He
couldn't tell a lie to save his soul, and
L Stick to your pink cotton, general.
he whispered and slipped quietly out OF
bed. He crossed the room to the bureau
where he had left the watch the night
before to see the time The watch was
not there and he turned to look in his
trousers pocket, thinking he might
have left it in them. But his pockets
were empty, save for a few old keys,
I,z.sz ,-I G,ha ,,,aly,rnc " MnraNr
watch. cigarette case. all were gone. He
stick pin were also gone Gingerly he
felt in the generals pockets. They, too
were empty He stood a moment in the
middle of the room in his pea-green
silk pajamas and gently stroked hi:
back hair, then he chuckled softly and
glanced at the bed.
The general was awake, looking al
him with half-shut. sleepy eyes.
Robbed, general" said the Water
melon
Robbed" repeated the general, sit.
Everything gone" said the Water
melon, ''or I'll eat my hat.
The general rose and they made Z
systematic search through empty pocket:
and rlfted bureau.
Bartlett came in gloomily. Without Z
cent among them they could not con-
tinue the trip They would have 10 make
! for the nearest telegraph station anc
wire for help. and Bachelor. his where
abouts known to his brokers, woulC
probably receive an urgent call TO re-
turn at once.
Robbed" asked the general
They left me my name" said Bart
lett, grimly Who steals your purs,
steals trash, l suppose. We have tha
comfort"
Not my purse said the Water.
melon. Mine had money in it"
My watch" said the general. wa!
family heirloom. Ny great-grand
father carried II"
Il wonder if the girls lost anything,
said Bartlett.
I'VE will have to go to the neares
telegraph station and telegraph 70,
money" declared the general.
Il suppose so,' growled Bartlett. anc
trailed from the room to finish dressing
They found the girls in the dining
room, unaware OF what had befaller
them They had slept late and th'
clock on the Tantel registered half pas
nine as the three men filed into til,
room. The general was calm, pom
pous. austere, but Henrietta had no
lived with him for FIVE and thirty year:
without having acquired the ability tc
| read his every mood.
Father" she asked. what's the mat
tero Have your sins found you out?"
The general waited for the slatternly
maid-servant to give them their break,
fast and leave the room before h
spoke.
we have been robbed" he saic
calmly, casually. as one would mention
the weather. His tones implied that ht
was perfectly willing to listen to rea'
son.
81 spend my whole life. father" saic
Henrietta, finding the articles you have
been robbed Of Your system is al
right You have place for every
thing. but you never remember tht
place"