The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-03-25
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are, a tramp, dirty, shabby, drunk"
Il don't drink, not as the others
do"
Come drunk. Let her understand
what being a tramp means, what your
life has been. II she still wants you,
1 hardly see how l can stop her.
That's only fair, for what does she
know about you and your life? You
know all about her, what she has done
and been and Is going to do. Leave
her now, this evening. Go IN being
a tramp and then come to her, at the
last Of August Come as a tramp,
mind. Don't let her think that it Is
a test she Is being put to or she. will
only laugh at it and us and 60 on
wanting you just the same, scorning
to be tested, to think that her love
could fail. Give her some other ex-
cuse for your going. You must see
that it is only fair to the little girl
to let her see what she is up against"
Eyes, I see. I tried to tell her."
agreed the Watermelon gloomily.
IF she loves you through it all,
she can have you, and I suppose I will
have to consent. I can afford a penni-
less son-in-law and I guess an Ameri-
can tramp Is preferable to a European
noble"
II won't be penniless," said the
Watermelon. 81 could work like a
niger for a month and own forty dol
lars, thirty of which I would 1--WE for
board"
That's just It," declared Bartlett
promptly. you can't support Billy
in the way she Is used to being sup
ported. can't give her the things that
have become necessities to her."
Il can support her in my own way"
said the Watermelon.
But that isn't Billy's way. You
couldn't keep a servant, for instance,
and servants to Billy are like chairs
to home people, absolutely necessary"
eve love each other" said the Wa
termelon simply.
That's all right. But you can't al
ways be sure your love is like elastic
and stretchable. Come as a tramp
and I will give my consent" Bartlett
grew bold, positively convinced that
Billy could nc longer care when she
had once seen the drunken sot, prom
ised as he had grown used to doing
on the Street, to do that which he
knew he would not. have to do.
Can I say good-by to her"
eyes, but I trust you not to let her
know that she Is to be put to a test.
If you love her, you can see that I
am right"
"Yes," said the Watermelon, IT love
her and will not let her know"
He Strengthened up and pushed his
hat farther back, with the slow, in
bred languor Of the thoroughly lazy
man. 81 love Billy, and that is why
l consent. I tried to make her under
stand what I am, have been, but l
couldn't. He took a handful of beans
from a nearby barrel and let them
run slowly through his fingers. 81
suppose she will give me the double
CROSS"
81 hope So" answered Bartlett. "I'm
not very particular, but a tramp"
"a gentleman pedestrian" suggest
ed the Watermelon, with a faint flick
er Of his usual sublime arrogance.
Bartlett laughed and held out his
hand. well, good-by. I've enjoyed
the week immensely, for all this rot
yours"
"Of yours" corrected the Water
melon.
Yes, yes, l suppose so. I hope
that Henrietta won't ever know. Do
you think Billy does%
Billy isn't as simple as you think"
returned the Watermelon.
What did she say?"
"'Father suggested the trip and he
telegraphed after dinner or some
thing like that"
"You didn't tell her it was my
plan?" begged Bartlett. 81 have to
go on living with her."
mo, / didn't tell her, but she's
next to the fact"
81 will speak to her." said Bartlett
hastily. 81 wouldn't like Henrietta to
find out about it. Billy has wanted
a motor boat for some time. l may
give her one."
They walked slowly toward the
door and once more shook hands.
Il would gladly have given the thou
sands l have lost to have you Bat
| chelor, boy" said Bartlett gently.
Jaw, thanks" said the Watermelon.
Tell the others l will be around
when l have sent another telegram"
The Watermelon found Billy sitting
on the steps Of the only hotel in
town. 1t was a big, square, uncom-
,ro-o;,;.- offojr h1onk oni yDaftran Of