The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-12-29
"DEVOTEDLY, BILL"
BY lola FORESTER.

SLanO SJlll until L Cdu uuu Wu6IG /
the switch is, goose" There came |
the click of a button and the long |
reception hall lay revealed in flood |!
of light. /
1t was after twelve, and they both |
needed rest more than anything after
the trip down from the mountains.
1t was cheerier in the coy bedroom
suite upstairs. The rooms connected |
with each other, and Nan rambled
about, her brown hair in two long
braids and a kimono wrapped about
her. Tucked into corner was pho
tograph that seemed different from the
rest. It was such a splendid, manly
young face that smiled out at one from
it. Nan turned it over and read on
the back in a scrawling, boyish writ
ing:
"Devotedly, Bill
Over at the little white. dressing
table Eleanor sat brushing her hair.
Somehow no one would ever have con-
nected her with college boys who
signed themselves, "Devotedly, Bill"
What are you chuckling over?"
asked Eleanor.
"Deyotedly, Bill"
Eleanor turned around, her fair hair
falling loosely over her shoulders, her
eyes filling with tears.
ooh, Nell, l didn't mean to stir up
anything"
ooh, it's all right. You didn't strike
any heavy minor chord" She looked
down at the photograph tenderly. HE
was just a boy l met up at Cornell
last winter, the very first boy that
ever dared to love me-
"Bless his old brave heart" inter
rupted Nan fervently, leaning forward
her chin on her hands. Doesn't he
even write to you?"
1--WE promised we wouldn't, not for
year. WHAT that?"
Both girls rose to their feet with
startled eyes.
Somebody fell over the taboret
in the hail." Nan whispered, her dark
eyes wide with dread "You turned
off the lights"
Eleanor thought quickly. The house
had been closed since June. A care
taker came every day to look after it,
and at night the Waterman was sup
posed to guard it. She crossed the
room and locked both doors leading
into the hall, then went to the win
dows.
Did you hear that ?" Nan whispered,
her face pressed against the door
listening. Somebody whistled, and it
was answered"
Nan shrank back, ner face covered
with her hands, but Eleanor slipped
one arm around her, soothing her even
while her own heart throbbed heavily
Come on, now!" called a deep
voice. "Open up. You know you can't
get out of there"
"And you cannot get in,'' returned
Eleanor clearly. eff you attempt to
/ break in the doors l will fire.
Sure, it's a womans voice." they
heard some one say. "Shall I break
in the door, Mr.. Blair?''
mo, no, wait" The knob turned.
A shoulder pressed against the door
panel. Nell, open the door, please.
/ know your voice. It's Bill"
Who's with your"
"Just the Waterman. 1 saw the
lights and thought burglars were in
here. Open the door, please
4 Eleanor turned the key. Tall and
very lovely she looked in her long,
1 blue crepe kimono, her face pale and
determined, her hair in two long
~braids over her shoulders like some
old-time Saxon princess.
Out in the hallway stood Bill, the
original of the picture, and the old
Waterman
Nell" he cried, 81 had no idea it
across the street all summer just to
be near the house, and when l saw the
lights fash on, I called Sullivan here
and we hustled over to get the bur-
glars. I'm awfully -orry"
Sullivan moved tactfully down the
hallway, testing locks here and there
Nan had dropped Imply into willow
chair, with its back toward the two at
the door. Bill raised two white, slim
hands to his lips and kissed them
! Its so wonderful to see you again
girl dear. I've watched these barred
shutters all summer, waiting for you
Nell. Look at me. Aren't you glad
to see me?"
Don't you know, Billie boy?"
Listen, dear. Don't let them take
you away from me again. It's Provi
dence, this mixup here tonight. I've
been patient for months. Don't say
no.. Nell I'll be over early for you
and Wen be married before anything
can happen"
He was gone before she could even
protest. From the willow chair came
a contented chuckle, and a brief re
mark:
'Devotedly, Bill%"
Copyright 1914 by the Mcclure Newspa.
per Syndicate.)
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