Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-09-26
THE Love AFFAIR
OF A DREAMER
BY FRED JACKSON.

BY FRED JACKSON.
Billy's heart throbbed painfully a.
he raised his voice with hers. To be
singing with her. 70 be singing with
her. He bent low over his book I'M
the corner lest the other boys see
how his face flushed; he was sensi-
tive about showing his emotions
Billy. His wonderfully sweet tenora
still uniformed, Of course, but SO true,
rang out clearly with her trained So
prano. She stood up ut the choir
loft to sing. but he sat always behind
the curtain. he looked so very little
beside her. you see, for he was only
eleven.
When the duet was finished, a sigh
passed from many lips. She never
got APPLAUSE, of r"urse-she sang
church music-but she saw the wrapt
expression Of tho faces below her.
and heard the sigh: that was enough.
that was very much indeed. Billy
saw not even this; he saw the glow
in her eyes. though, az she took her
seat. end that was enough for him.
for Billy was In 1--WE.
Thank you. DEAR" she whispered
softly across to him. You make it
so easy for me when you sing like
that" A light flashed suddenly into
the boys eyes. his cheeks went very
pink. and she wondered that SO
meager and thin little face could
become so beautiful at times. Billy
49,, III To- III nh tic
pered the words over, and over to
himself. They we're a wondrous re-
ward for his love, those words. for
the first. love Of his pure little heart
the unqpestioning. confident. trust
Ing love that asks no return. only to
worship from afar
Billy sat on the carriage step in the
moonlight. his elbow on his knee. his
chin in his hand. Opposite him back
from the road a bit was house-her
house. There was light somewheres
upstairs. maybe in her room
Il beg your pardon" said grave
voice suddenly. ARE you sick?" A
man was standing by Billy, a big man.
very tall and most broad. Billy didn't
like men.
mo-" he said, I'm not sick" With
the last word came an odd little sigh.
AS man to man." said the chap
gravely. what are you doing here?
Perhaps can help bit"
Just thinking-making pictures.
There's q girl In there, / sing with
her in the choir"
Ohio" said the man, in love-"
NO." said Billy. Il just care for
her. 1t isn't love-I tust-care."
Many days passed. after that. and
good times came for Billy. Every
Friday. when the Dnan came to town
for the week end, he took Billy and
the girl of with him for good times
In the woods, or on the river, or rid
ing, perhaps.
One night they were out on the
lawn at her house. Billy had risen
to say good night, for 1t was getting
late and they would be expecting
him at home.
Wait" said the girl softly resting
her arm on his shoulder wait. Billy,
and we'll walk to the gate with you
They went on in silence, and. over
the grass to the iron gate, and the
carriage step beyond.
BILLY, DEAR" she said softly,
dropping on her knees in the grass,
and looking into his eyes. BILLY. do
you like me?" The man was stand
ing behind her waiting eagerly for
the answer. Billy raised his thin ex-
pressive face to hers swiftly.
II love you" he said TREMENDOUSLY.
Il love you" Ils large eyes were
glowing, his lips aquiver.
Billy" said the girl then, her
cheeks flushed. do you want me to
be happy? Would you like me to be-
happy?"
Billy nodded It was enough.
Billy" said the girl now, VT would
make me very happy to be married. =
honey. to him-to our man." She
took the fellows hand at this, and
raising her great brown eyes to
Billy's.
"Of course" said Billy. marry him
be married"
I'm happy" said the girl softly,
kneeling down and taking his head
in her arms; I'm so 7ery, very
happy" >~,r,%
III you're happy" said BILLY. why
am" She raised his face and kissed
his lips lightly'-then they, we're both
gone. Billy's worshiping eyes follow.
ing her to the last. ,