The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-03-11
BILLYVALkDON'S SPECIAL
BY C. HAuSsmAN.

Mabel Brocknan laughed You're
t1enty-niRe, aren't you, Billy she
asked irTelevRntiy.
In February. assented Naladon
And YOU have To wait until your
papa sends you money? / don't think !
YOU even call him father, do YOU?
Valadon looked hurt. You are al |
ways at me to go 10 work, he |
frowned. Il don't see why / should |
have to with the governor so disgust
ingly rich
How much money have you?' she |
asked. Somehow her conversation
this morning on the Coronado Beach
was most uncertain.
Enough to pay my bills and get up
to San Francisco"
Then you Will have to wait until
some one sends you the money TO get
home on. ! don't think you are worth
waiting for, Billy
Two days later Valadon stood on the
wharf at Oakland Miss Brockman
stood by the sleeper in which she and
her mother we're to make the trip
/ east
! Il may see you sooner than you ex-
pect," he said with a smile.
Having money telegraphed TO you?
she asked.
No" he answered shortly. Il have
an idea that perhaps | can come east
In accordance with your approved
methods. I'm going to try it, any
how"
II you do, Bill" said the girl soft
ly. as she mounted the steps.
II / do. what"
Mabel shook her head over the port
ers shoulder as the train pulled out.
Ealadon took the boat back TO the
city. but instead OF returning 10 the
hotel he went TO the Barbary Coast.
In one of the dives sat a party of men,
rough, uncouth and with most evil
dent smell of the stable about them.
Billy went up to their leader.
I'm ready now" he said.
"Stow the glad rags" commanded
the other. land come back here in half
an hour We don't want silk hats
around"
Before the end OF the half hour the
silk hat and frock coat had been meta
morphosed into a cloth cap and pea
jacket, and Billy was five dollars
richer.
The leader marshaled the gang and
an hour later Billy was back in Oak
land. but this time in the freight
yards
On the track before him was a
train of u yellow cars, at the head of
which painted a huge engine. Billy
; climbed into the third car. There was
much hoarse shouting. a blast from
the whistle and a Jolt as the train
pulled out, and the first section os
the horse special was under way.
: Billy's fellow passengers in the car
were another hostler and u thorough
breds being hurried east to the big
winter sale.
Five days later a tired and dirty,
, but exceedingly cheerful, young man
) drove up to the door of the Valadon
residence on Fifth avenue just as the
D head of that house was sitting down
to his breakfast. 1t required an argu-
ment with a new footman to convince
him that the caller was not required
to 90 to the side entrance, but at his
voice the elder Yaladon came running
into the hall.
"Bless my SOUL" he pulled after
1 Billy had told his tale in brief. Didn't
you get my check?"
Billy thrust a paper into his hand
I, 1T came the day left he said, but
it sort of spoiled the idea and I pre-
4 tended that / did not get II. Now !
d want bath and breakfast and then
want to see if / cannot go down to
2 the station in time to meet the Brock
q mans"
The Chicago express was three
|. hours late when it pulled into the
+ huge arched shed, and Miss Brock
il man was in no amiable frame of mind
L as she descended to the platform
d There had been delay, and six days
on the train even in a stateroom is not
. pleasant.
. For a moment she stared as a we'll
n groomed young man possessed him
K self of her handbag and turned to help
!. her mother down the steps, and it was
! not until they had headed for the fer
l. ry that she found her voice.
How did you get here so quickly?'
she demanded.
Il came the northern way" he ex
planned, "and / had a special"
Miss Brockman turned away to hide
J. her disappointment. Il might have
J. known you would do something like
d that" she said coldly. Il suppose that
:, you wired for money"
e There was a check at the hoteI
q when / got to San Francisco" he ex
planned wickedly. Il had 1t In my
> pocket when l said 'good-by' to you in
Oakland. ! thought you would like Q
e surprise"
u at was not a surprise; It was the
IS expected she corrected. Il had
e hoped my sermon had sunk in"
s He made no explanations until they
n were in the carriage, which had wait
ed at Twenty-third street. Then Billy
leaned forward
Il should have explained" he be
gan, that the special was for the Orr
ranch horses for the sale at the gar
C den. / was a hostler and I brought
the check back with me-"
She leaned forward and kissed him
to the surprise of her mother.
Billy" she cried impulsiyely, "yol
:. may take that check and buy me 1
d solitaire with it."
s We Can Do The Work.