News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-04-02

Ouo l6dTeu ludC LA6 watermelon udu
not "stood up" for himself, that her
speaking to her father that morning
had not helped matters as she had
hoped it would. She tried to think
Of something to say that would influ-
ence the boy, something she could do
to show him how she cared, so he
would not think of leaving her. The
Watermelon was silent. for now
that the hour of parting had come,
he did not know what to say, could
not bring himself to leave her, gay,
foolish, light-hearted Billy.
He, however, was the first to speak.
The schoolhouse recalled miserable
days of long dull confinement, and he
nodded toward it, pausing in the grass
by the wayside. "a standing monu.
ment," said he, "to buried freedom"
Il never went to school," said Billy.
ut must be awful"
awful" the Watermelon shrugged
TITS taken ten years from my life
Schools should be abolished"
They sat down on the tiny, weather
SNoiICN plCpy pluC Ny LII bA6 EdLLI
ering dusk.
Billy" began the Watermelon ear.
nestly, and then stopped
Poor little Billys heart f1uttered and
she put her hand to her hair in her
nervousness. "You know" she said
firmly, irrelevantly, 81 love you.
Jerry"
II know, dear" replied the Water.
melon. and I love you. No matter
where am, Billy, no matter what hap.
pens, you are the best in me and
will keep you best. I'm shiftless, lazy,
no count, but Billy, kid, I'll always
love YOU"
"And We will get married and live
happily ever after" crooned Billy.
I'm going away tonight, Billy, back
to the road"
"Oh, Jerry, please, dear. If father
knew how much l care"
mo. Billy, your fathers right. He
said to give you time; for me to go
away for while and maybe you
would get-over it."
"And II I did," demanded Billy. "if
/ loved another, wouldn't you be
Jealous? wouldn't you kill that other,
Jeroboam Martini" She clenched her
small fist and pounded him on the
knee to emphasize the passion in her
voice.
'If he were decent chap" STAN
mered the Watermelon, "it would be
better for you"
cts terrible" interrupted Billy,
when the girl has to do all the Low.
ing" She pushed the hair out of her
hot face and stared angrily before
her, across the road.
You only love me, but l love you.
See the difference" asked the Water
melon. tits simply impossible for
your love to be as great as mine for
that reason. Your father said could
come to- you the last of August, at
Westhaven, and I'm coming, Billy"
And then we can MARRY, did father
say that?" asked Billy, turning to him.
IF you care STILL" muttered the
Watermelon.
Care" Billy laughed the contrary
to merry scorn. Care? Why, Zero.
boam Martin, when will not carer"
The Watermelon flushed and rose
as the wisest course under the cir.
cumstances. I'm off, Say good-by to
the others for me, will you, Billy"
you will be my knight" whispered
Billy. "And I will be your lady, and
no knight ever went back on his lady, |
yet, Jeroboam."
You've got darned poor knight"
gruRted the Watermelon. Suddenly he
turned and caught her in his arms, |
dragging her to him and forcing back
her head to see into her eyes. BILLY. |
Billy" he cried. will you be true to
me, for ever and for ever, no matter
what happens, no matter what l do?
Could you, will you love me always?"
Always, always" whispered Billy.
"'Dirty, drunk?"
DIRTY and drunk and sick and al
ways" promised Billy. "Only you
won't drink, because 1 love you"
Love never yet stood between a
man and the whisky bottle" sneered