The state herald., 1915-05-14


agreed the Watermelon gloomily.
IF she loves you through 1t all.
she can have you, and suppose I will
have to consent can afford penni-
less son-in-law and guess an Ameri.
can tramp is preferable to a European
noble"
Il won't be penniless." said the
Watermelon. 81 could work like a
niger for month and own forty dol
lars. thirty of which would owe 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"
I'VE 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 no 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 / say good.by to herr"
Yes, but trust you not to let her
know that she is to be put to test
II you love her. you can see that
am right"
Yes" said the Watermelon. Il 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. Il love Billy. and that is why
! consent. tried to make her under.
stand what ! am. have been. but I
couldn't" He took handful OF beans
from a nearby barrel and let them
run slowly through his fingers. II
suppose she will give me the double
cross"
Il 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. We'll. good.by. I've enjoyed
the week immensely. for all this rot.
ten ending. That scurvy trick Of
yours"
"of yours" corrected the Water.
melon.
Yes. yes. I suppose so. hope
that Henrietta won't ever know. Do
you think Billy does7"
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 II was my
planI" begged Bartlett 81 have to
20 on living with her"
No. didn't tell her. but she's
next TO the fact"
Il will speak to her." said Bartlett,
hastily. Il wouldn't like Henrietta Ia
find out about II. Billy has wanted
motor boat for some time may
give her one"
They walked slowly toward the
door and once more shook hands.
II would gladly have given the thou
sands ! have lost TO have you Bat
ehelor. boy" said Bartlett gently.
"Aw. thanks" said the Watermelon
Tell the others | will be arour'
when ! have sent another telegram
The Watermelon found BILLY sittiny
on the steps OF the only hotel II
town. Il was big. square. uncom
promising affair. blank and unattrac,
i've. and Billy, alone on the top step
looked somehow small and forlori
and ohiidlike. The Watermelon An
down beside her.
Where's Henrietta7" he asked ~
noring her eyes and the question the
asked.
"up'Htairn," said Billy. liking up
Come ana walk down the roa,
with me n bit7" asked the wntcrmcI
on. He roho and held out hia han,
TO help her up
Billy rose with n trembling laugl
that failed misorably In Its manifca
attempt to bc brave.
Neither BILLY nor the Watermelon
spoke until they had left thu villag
some little wAy behind and had cs,n
TO four crossroads With tho usua
smnii. dlngy sohoolhouAo. door locked
dirty windows closed for the summc
and shabby. faded blinds drawn.
Billy knew from tho Watermelon
face that the Interview with her n
thcr had bocn far from na,,hfactor,
She feared that the Watermelon ha
not stood up" for himself. that he
speaking TO her father that mornln
had not helped matters M she ha
hoped II would. She tried 10 thin
VI something TO say that would INIT
cncc the boy. somo,hlns she could d
L, show him how she cared. no b
would not thirh Of having her.