The Meeker herald., 1913-09-20
\ br,n. al Of hi. friend. to put y. to

and bring all of his friends to put Us to
rout-
.ADh. 3oy.' murmured Fila Froiid. and
the other girls echoed iser words. Only
Polly Skinner was quite silent. Shs
didn't object to the Mheme. for sbs
knew that Billy Pinckney WAS Immune
/ from real sentiment. far I've WIN the
500 Of his mother. and Mrs. .DIney
was N cold and unsy mnlttS< .ic ~ .
block of marble.
And Folly did want Dirk Westford
10 come. only somehow she'd rstbef.
be came bes'nuxe he wanted to be eoses
With her and not because Mrs. Pink
ney sent for him. .
Still. Il was taking a long chance on
Mrs. Pinckney sending for Dick West
ford. but the plan was worth trying. for
seahurst was deadly dull without any
men around.
For q week there was plenty Of ex-
element at the 8eahurst bOtel. To be-
gin with. our i've girls completely
monopoiized Billy Pinckney and show
cred 30 much undivided attention upon
the pale youth that bis head was quite
turned.
"l'm the whole cheese here" be grim
ned to his adoring mother one evening.
and that horrined lady put up her lor-
gnette and stared at him.
civilian. my son" she gasped. ''nev-
er, never use such language In my
presence again. As for receiving atten-
ton from the girls IN this house. you
mustn't take It seriously. for remem-
Der you are the only man here At pres-
ent."
Billy was silent. His mothers insin-
uation stuns him to the quick. He
would prove to her that 1t was him.
self and not his sex that attracted.
He would pick out one girl. and that
girl would be the prettiest and the wit
Hest and the one he liked best. IL
would be Folly Skinner.
Thereafter the group Of ,schemers
found their plans taken out OF their
hands BY no less a person than Billy
himself. He would have none Of them
except Polly. and Polly was sacrificed
upon the aitar for their general good.
II heard Mrs. Pinckney say last night
that there was safety In numbers" re-
marked Belle Sears. Somebody had
spoken Of Btily's sudden popularity
| boom"
80 I'm to be the burnt offering r de-
manded Polly Indignantly. why.
like him iess than any of you do"
You're sun burnt offering. aud you
| rni~ Hans OrS oil
there's your Billy waiting for you. All
he needs is a pink parasoI to become
a pink dream!" laughed Ella. giving FOL.
~ push toward the waiting cavalier.
Polly went.
The next day Billy Pinckney shocked
his mother by announcing that he
wanted to marry Polly Skinner and II
be couldn't he would just as soOu die
a. not.
Have you asked her. dearr' faiter.
ed Mrs.. Pinckney.
mot yet. mother. but I'm going to
tonight" he declared. thankful that
she had not objected more strenu0usly.
Promise me one thing. William"
she said solemniy. wait just one
week before you ask Folly Skinner to
marry you.''
"Why?' he demanded impatiently.
because ask It Of you"
sAll right. promise. but ] shan't
change my mind" be threatened ~ he
left the room.
Mrs. Pinckney smiled. because she
had lived with Billy for many years
| and knew him to be impressionabIe
Almost any other. Of the girls would
have done for Billy. and she might
have reluctantly submitted. for all
were welt to do save Polly Skinner.
Billy must have rich wife
She drew sheet OF note paper be-
fore her and wrote to Dick Westford-
she mentioned Polly SINNERS name.
She marked the envelope Please for
ward" and she attached special de-
livery stamp She mailed It immedi-
ately and sat down to wait for Dicks
coming. There was q whole week be-
fore Billy's promise would become null
and void. clE
Three days afterward the I'VE con-
spirators were sitting In their accus-
toned corner Of the hotel piazza.
Where has Billy been today" ask.
ed Ella Frond. stining yawn. Il
haven't seen him tagging after you.
Polly. Have you sent him awny;"
mot l." declared Polly. watching the
approaching hotel bus with wIstfui
eyes. Il went for solitary walk this
morning and surprised him walking
with the pretty chambermaid from our
door. He was helping her carry
basket Of linen to the hand laundry
across the 6eld."
'Billy Pinckney!" shrieked her CON-
paniOns In chorus.
Polly nodded After all onr time
and trouble she sighed.
The hotel bus was loaded with pas.
sengers from the 6 O'Clock train. The