The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-08-14
HIS UNCLE BILLY
How He Smoothed Things Out
for Little Dan
Cupid.
BY NELLIE c. GILMORE.

at the end of his laborious climb up
the steep fight of concrete steps that
marked the intersection Of Ninth ave-
nue.. He fumbled in his pocket and
drew forth battered little red note
book, turning the worn pages with
tremulous fingers. Here 1t was: 1875
E. Ninth, between Oak and Elm
streets. The house on the corner bore
the number 1886 in large gilt letters
and the one next door, the big gray
stone building overrun with thick, vel
vety ivy-that must be the place he
was looking for.
His heart misgave him as he timidly
took inventory of the handsome edi-
flee, the imposing grounds and general
air of grandeur that undoubtedly be-
spoke wealth and culture and impor-
tance. He almost wished he hadn't
come and was of half mind to turn
round and go straight back to the sta
ton. After all, it was foolish-even
a ridiculous-thing to do; this coming
10 New York to see and talk to the girl
Dick wanted to marry. In all prob
ability he would only be turned from
he door-such a door-and what was
worse, If the boy ever heard of it, sue
ceed in incurring his everlasting dis
pleasure.
What if Dick found out that he had
purloined one of his letters and read
the address Of Miss Barbara Shep-
ard" delicately penned in the upper
| right-hand corner?" He hadn't been
| mean enough to go further-he
wouldn't have done thing like that
but he had cleaned enough from the
| intimate conversation he and his
nephew had held together to form his
| own conclusions. And they amounted
% just one thing: Barbara Shepard
| was rich, Dick poor; they loved each
other devotedly, but the boys pride
stood like brick wall between them,
md until he could batter down that
wall, he would not ask her to share his
iife. And, mused Uncle Billy, forlorn-
~, perhaps he was the real handicap,
Alone, Dick might have faced the
world, wrestled with it, thrown it
| md come forth victor. But with an
Did man to block his path!
The swish of skirts cut in abruptly
On Uncle Billy's reflections. He glanced
eagerly into the fresh young face of
he owner. The girl paused and smiled
pleasantly she was very young and
and the old man found his tongue
without any trouble under the melting
sunshine of her smile
| Excuse me, miss, but could you tell
me If family by the name of Shep-
ard lives in that big house yonder?"
why yes, certainly. Were you look
ng for some one?"
Maneuvering was strange to Uncle
Billy and he replied directly: Il want
ed to see Miss Barbara Shepard, and
ak to her. You see, tits about a
very important matter and I've come
all the way from Brooklawn-about
it,"
| Brooklawn! The girl drew little
quick breath and answered quickly 81
know Barbara quite well, but-but
she's not at home this morning, though
| expect her in within an hour"
A disappointed look swept over the
old mans face. The train back to
Brooklawn would leave that city at
TWO and despite the fact that only a
little while ago he had made up his
mind to return without seeing the girl,
the thought that he couldn't see her
troubled him. But the other had be-
gun to speak again, and he noticed
that her voice was soft and clear and
very gentle.
| Wont you come with me and sit
there on one of the lawn-benches and
wait for Barbara" she asked. IF
you're friend of hers, I'm sure she'd
never forgive me for letting you go
away"
| Uncle Billy gave little appreciative
cackle. WELL" he drawled, Il don't
know as that's exactly the word to
use, since I've never seen Miss Shep-
ard in my life"
| "Ah!" The girl has commenced to
walk on toward the lawn with the old
man keeping pace beside her. They
came to twisted-oak seat under a
great. spreading tree and sat down.
| I'm rather curious" she admitted
| IldugHlnBly, 10 SeeJ bODDy-ner DeSt
friends call her that sometimes-and
[ are close chums and there isn't much
-she-hasn't told me. Perhaps If you
told me your manner" she paused with
little tentative uplifting of her
brows.
"William Barker live, as said, at
Broodlawn-with my nephew, Richard
Fielding. Perhaps you know Dick too?"
The girl nodded thoughtfully. 81
guess you mean Barbara's sweetheart,
don't your"
Precisely. I'm feeling bit worried
about the boy-and that's why I'm
here. l want to talk with her; l want
to find out what's at the bottom OF
Dtck's-well. his pale face and silent
ways. l was young myself once-and
| can come pretty near to guessing AT
the bottom OF some things"
The young girl had turned and was
gazing intently into the rugged old
face beside her; she saw that the