The Red Cloud chief., 1913-07-31
HIS UNCLE BILLY
How He Smoothed Things Out
for Little Dan
Cupid.
BY NELLIE c. GILMORE.

the steep flight OF concrete steps that
marked the intersection of Ninth ave-
nue.. He fumbled in his pocket and
drew forth a battered little red note.
book, turning the worn pages with
tremulous fingers. Here II was: 1885
b. 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. 1t was foolish-even
a ridiculous-thing to do; this coming
to New York to see and talk to the girl
Dick wanted to marry. In all prob
ability he would only be turned from
the door-such a door-and what was
worse, II the boy ever heard Of 1t, sue
coed in incurring his everlasting dis
pleasure.
What IL 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 60 further-he
vyn,1Art hay lea ho
but he had cleaned enough from the
intimate conversation he and his
nephew had held together to form his
own conclusions. And they amounted
to just one thing: Barbara Shepard
was rich. Dick poor; they loved each
other devotedly, but the boys pride
stood like brick wall between them,
and until he could batter down that
wall, he would not ask her to share his
life. And. mused Uncle Billy. forlorn-
ly, perhaps he was the real handicap.
Alone, Dick might have faced the
world, wrestled with 1t, thrown it
and come forth victor. But with an
old 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
the owner. The girl paused and smiled
pleasantly; she was very young and
very pretty and exceedingly winsome,
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 II a family by the name Of Shep-
ard lives in that big house yonder?"
why yes. certainly. Were you look
ing for some one?"
Maneuvering was strange to Uncle
Billy and he replied directly: Il want
ed to see Miss Barbara Shepard, and
talk to her. You see. tits about
very important matter and I've come
all the way from Brooklawn-about
It,"
Brooklawn! Tho girl drew a little
quick breath and answered quickly Il
know Barbara quite we'll. 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
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. III
you're q friend Of hers, I'm sure she'd
never forgive me for letting you 60
away"
Uncle Billy gave little appreciative
cackle. WELL" he drawled. Il don't
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 q twisted-oak seat under q
great, spreading tree and sat down.
I'm rather curious" she admitted
laughingly. Ito see. Bobby-her best
friends call her that sometimes-and
are close chums and there isn't much
-she-hasn't told me. Perhaps II you
told me your name?" 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. II
guess you mean Barbara's sweetheart,
don't you?"
Precisely. I'm feeling bit worried
about the boy-and that's why I'm
here. want to talk with her; ! want
to find out what's at the bottom Of
Dicks--well. his pale face and silent
ways. ! 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