The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-02-13

room. III she Sneu Tears over Ncu III
dred's detection no one knew 1t, for
she was as sweetly serene as ever
when the dinner bell rang.
''Of course you are going to the ball,
Molly" observed Mrs. Moore as her
sister sat down ut table.
Il wouldn't miss it for anything"'
cried Molly enthusiastically. Certain
ly not with that dream Of gown
waiting for me-"
THAT peach colored satin is the pref
test gown you ever had. Molly" put
in Mr.. Moore.
Molly flashed smile at her brother
in-law. Thank you. James. / can
return the compliment by saying that
the mulberry velvet is most becoming
to YOU"
There was some gay chatter over the
costumes for the BigIeys' colonial ball
that evening. Molly's peach satin was
to be surprise for Ned Hildred.
johnson says Hildred is to wear
white satin as the happy bridegroom"
teased Mr.. Moore as they arose from
the table.
NONSENSE" laughed Molly. blushing.
Billy, sleepy and solemn even. sulki-
" endured Molly's good night kiss
when she came to his bed in all the
glory of the peach colored satin. He
expressed open disapprovaf Of the high
piled masses Of her powdered hair and
the audacious black patch on her
round chin.
Good night. lover boy!' whispered
Molly. But Billy turned hot pink
cheek away from her caress. "Will
you 60 skating with me tomorrow
she asked.
"Alone" he questioned.
"Alone with me-" said Molly. and
she did not know her tone quavered.
"All right" growled Billy and kissed
her sheepishiy. You look fine" he
added.
Molly quite forgot Billy and his jeal-
Gus heart by the time she reached the
Bigleys'.
But when Ned Hildred hurried up to
her. incomparably handsome In white
velvet and silN er embroidery. Molly's
color deepened and all softness van
ished from her eyes.
"You haven't saved one for me?" he
asked, his face quite white.
$50 sorry" murmured Molly as she
glided away with her partner for the
first waltz.
Ned Hildred stared dumbly after
lovely Molly. The exquisite strains of
the waltz wrung his heart.
Presently he went home. After that
Molly's gayety was entirely fictitious.
The next day it was very pale ano
wan Molly who tramped over the
snowy paths to Silver lake. Billy,
trudging beside her with their skates
swung over his shoulders. was a
gloomy companion. o.
Once there among the crowd Of mer'
~. skaters, Molly recovered a degree OF
cheerfulness. but Billy's gloom deepen
ed with each passing moment.
They had SLATED to-. a,tsecluded part
of tASslake, where Mollyo sat down or
a failea log forest, aNs1. l:.,..
'7e"I'hS go and buy some sandwiches.
Aunt Molly" said Billy. turning away.
VERY well. dear. Don't be long"
Billy raced back among the skaters.
His bright eyes sought out Hildred's
tall form, 80,
"Oh. rMr.v Hildred. please come to
Aunt Molly right away; it's awful i'm
portant." quavered Billy, grasping the
man'sahand.
Hildred's one thought was that Molly
had fallen through the ice. He uttered
II strangled cry of alarm and darted
off, dragging the frightened Billy by
one hand. e., =
Breathlessly they dashed up to the
spot where Molly sat pensivey upon
her log. She started violently as they
pirouetted to standstill.
why. what is it," she stammered
Indignantly.
IL beg your pardon" murmured
Hildred with q furious glance at the
wretched Billy. He lifted his cap and
wheeled about.
wait minute. please!"' cried the
small boy. i've got something to say,
and you both got to be here and lis.
ten"
BILLY Moore. what is it,. demand.
ed Molly, and then. seeing the quiv-
ering lips of the little man. she realized
that he was bracing himself for some
difficult performance. She put her
arms around him. and he seemed glad
of their support.
what Is 1t. dear?" she asked.
Billy, told his story in shaking
voice-how he had hated Mr.. Hildred
because he came between Billy and
his adored Aunt Molly. Then the day
before when he had met Mr.. Hildred
in his car. he had lied to Aunt Molly.
He had not told her that Mr.. Hildred
had stopped the car and babe him take
a message to Molly; that the fair pas
senger In the car was Hildreds sister
in-law. Mrs. Reed. who had been call
ed to the deathbed Of a parent i'm West
chester and that Hildred was rushing
her there at top speed.
Billy related how he had gone home
and read about the exemplary youth
Of George Washington. and now, smit.
ten by remorse. he unburdened his
guilty conscience to those he had