The Penn's Grove record., 1914-02-13

Billy Mayfair, were doomed to disa-
gree. They were both invited to a
st. Valentine party and Billie sat,
dressed and expectant, waiting for
her lover to take her to the party.
The hour set for Franks arrival
came and passed, but no young man
in his new buggy put In ar appear
ance. When a girl is engaged to a
doctor, she becomes accustomed to an
occasional wait, and Billie was not
much disturbed. Frank was one of
the two doctors in Hiwassa.
Another half hour crawled by, then
a message was delivered to the now
indignant Billie.
Detained by matter of Importance.
Will explain when l come. May be
late but be sure and wait for me.
Frank ran the message.
Disappointed, yet patient, Billie
seated herself by the sitting-room win
dow. Suddenly her small brother,
Eustace. otherwise known as the Imp,
gave a shout from his perch ON the
front gate.
sis, come here! Come here this
minute"
Billie was glad of a diversion and
obeyed at once.
"Looka!" He pointed wildly down
the road. "Ain't that Frank kitin'
along the cross road? Gee Whiz! 1t
is, and that's Marge Roper he's got.
They're goin' to the party"
Yes; it was Frank, and it was plain
to be seer that he had taken the
crossroad to avoid passing her house.
Billie did not stop to think. much
less to reason. She stopped for moth
ing. The Imp, usually compelled to
retire with the chickens, was allowed
to act as his sisters escort to the
party, much to his delight.
Arrived there, Billie, to the dismay
of other less attractive girls and the
Joy of the favored SWANS, firted out
rageously with Lewton, the storekeep-
er, Harvey the lawyer and - most
basely of all-with DR.. Louis Davis,
the rival doctor.
When Frank, two hours after his
note, reached the Mayfair house, he
found that Billie had gone to the
party.
Hurt and disappointed. he drove on
alone. The first sight that met his
tired eyes was Billie-not wearing the
willow-but going through a dance
with Louis Davis with every indica-
ton of enjoyment.
She almost ignored his greeting and
was turning her shoulder on him when
Frank caught her hand right under
the ex~asperating scrutiny Of Davis.
How dare you!" she exclaimed.
Billie, what is the matter?n he de-
manded in turn.
Nothing. Are you alone?" she
asked with an air Of surprise. please
let me 70. This is my dance with Mr..
Harvey"
Frank could not believe his eyes or
ears. But he was not SO easily re-
buffed. He waited till her dance with
Harvey was oye When he confronted
her once more, her rage and hurt
pride found voice in the low-spoken,
bitter words:
Why don't you leave me? Can't
you e I am done with you? Don't
speak to me again"
Almost stunned, he made his way
out of the curious. whispering crowd.
into the mild February night, climbed
into his buggy and set out for home.
His world was in ruins about him.
This night that he had meant to be
M of the happiest and most momen-
tous of his existence, had marked the
end Of things. Why had Fate sent
him that unlucky call to see old
Widow Candis, who lived alone and
had selected this evening of all others
to fall down the cellar stairs and
break her arm?
He had to set the bone; then. as
Ill luck would have it. no one could
be found to go for her granddaughter,
Marge Roper. The old woman could
not be left alone. The young doctor
was forced to offer his services.
This had taken time. still II Billie
had cared the least bit for him, she
would have waited. There was no
question about it.
Az for Billie, no sooner had Frank
gone than she called her brother from