The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-05-09
CHAPTER XVI.
A Thief In the Niqht.


and laid her hand an instant on his
sleeve. Don't you see. she believed
in God and she believed in you. You
didn't go back on her. Would God?"
The Watermelon did not answer. He
was busy with a scene OF the long
ago. He and the youngest Miss Mar
tin had been engaged In set-to which
hardly savored OF brotherly love, and
parental authority had separated
them and passed judgment
Sister should not have struck you"
the mother said as she stood him
grimly In the corner. But, Jeroboam,
you should not have deceived sister.
il you men would only keep faith with
your women, this world would be too
good to leave, even for Heaven" she
had added with her usual tired sigh.
How had he kept faith with Billy?
The question stared him In the face
and he felt like the child again, stand
ing in the corner, unable to answer.
For the sake OF an amusing week OF
her society. he had practically be-
trayed her father, had branded him
self thief by keeping the clothes,
the watch, the money. which he had
taken wrongly, for a few hours fun.
but which he had intended to return.
In the love he felt for the girl, his
long stifled conscience slowly stirred
again.
Billy was talking, grooming her COM
fort with the maternity latent in all
fnr he ~
you see, Jerry, there is a God? Think
of what you did for your mother, think
OF how proud she was OF you when
you did so we'll By sheer grit you
have made yourself what you are.
You are tired and blue tonight, poor
old boy"
The Watermelon was not listening
He took roll of bills from his pocket
and counted them. Billy watched him
in perplexity. Was he worrying over
money, she wondered. One hundred
and seventy-four dollars left He had
not had an opportunity to spend more
OF that roll of bills which he had be
trayed woman and lowered his man.
hood to steal. He crushed the bills
back into his pocket and rose.
I'VE had better go back" said he
shortly. Its late"
They found Henrietta and Bartlett
on the front porch, talking in low
voices, obllvious 10 all else. The gen
.eral had long since sought the doubt
1ul comfort of the country bed fol
City boardere.
q Billy held out her hand TO the Wa
ssermelon. little ceremony she hac
Heretofore neglected, wishing In he
slender little heart that she understoo,
his strange mood better and cault
comfort him.
Good night" said she gently.
=. Good night" said the Watermelon
Henrietta rose. II didn't know 1
was SO late. Wait, Billy, | am comm
with you. Good night, ALL"
Bartlett followed the girls. but q
the door he stopped and glanced bac
at the Watermelon standing on tn
grass by the steps.
Better come to bed" said he.
The Watermelon nodded atstracte,
ny and Bartlett went In. leaving hill
out there alone.
Without thinking of Billy other tina
hs a pretty girl with whom to fir
moved by the mischief OF the momen
ne had placed her father financially 9
the mercy of his enemy. And now
right the wrong to Billy. the onl
thing he could do would be to to
them who he was. a tramp, masqu
rading with decent people in his stole
fnery. Petty thieving, the shar
tricks OF the road, had passed quickl
from his conscience, but this was di
ferent. A woman had been throw
ppto the bargain. the woman he Loves