The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1915-04-24


pleasure at seeing Henrietta oncs
more was mingled with worry and M
easiness over Billy and the Water
melon. He smoked thoughtfully and
watched Billy wariiy. tenderly. She
leaned against q pile and gazod over
the vast unrest of the ocean to the
distant horison. with dreaming. I'M
fathomable eyes. Bartlett knew OF
whom she was thinking. whom wait
ing for more and more eagerly every
day now A. August drew to close
and still he did not come. But this
evening he had come, he was In the
same neighborhood. drunk and prob
ably hungry. When they met. as they
must and that shortly. would he make
. scene, become ioud-mouthed. foul.
abusive? 1t would be hard on Billy.
and Bartlett wished vainly that he
could spare her. But 1t was best that
she should know. should understand
fully and with 4 sudden quick cut 1t
would be over with, the June madness
when one is young and pretty and
care-free. Billy would read her folly
In the bleared eyes of shiftless fool
Poor little Billy and her puppy love!
A most unfortunate affair, the whole
mistaken. unhappy business!
There c6mes the Mary Glouces-
ter" said Billy. breaking into his
thoughts.
1.-THE Mary Gloucester" chuckled
Bartlett That woman hasn't the
sense OF her ugly little poodle dog"
81 know" said Billy. that is why I
have always been SO afraid of her"
Why afraid of herr"
For a mother" explained Billy un-
fortunately, but Enthusiastically say
ing the wrong thing.
Bartlett flushed you Just admit
ted that she was fool. Do you think
I would marry that kind of q woman 2"
Men always do" said Billy. "A
FOOLS bad enough. but fool and
money are simply irresistible.''
you know too much for your age"
said Bartlett coldly.
Il don't exactly know It," blundered
Billy. II Just see it."
BILLY. have you ever seen me-"
"Yes. father. That night in the -
vilion at the Ainsleys-"
THAT will do, Billy"
Billy was hurt. Il don't mean 70 b.
nasty, father: but you asked me-
There comes the mailboat." inter.
rupted Bartlett firmly.
Billy looked At 1t and sighed. It
was the last Of August and Jeroboam
Martin had not come. Had he forgot
ten her in two short monthsf
/ ~
her shoulder. Forget him. grille.
He's not worthy OF you"
"He said he would come" whispered
Billy.
IF he doesn't. dear. you have mo.
We have stood together through
everything for eighteen years and viii
stand. still. eh, Bilfyf"
Billy bent her head and rubbed hsl
cheek against the hand on her shout
der with half laugh and half sob.
| With the nrst sight of the smoke
on the horizon. hsralding the approach
Of the principal event of the day. the
arrival Of the evening mail. . crowd
had begun to gather. the usual mot.
ley crowd Of a summer resort on ths
coast. The sight Of the Mary Glou
cester, steaming gracefully into port
was greeted with Z gay hutter ~-ot
handkerchief and straw hats. and
Billy and Bartlett. standing where che
yacht would dock, were soon the cen.
ter of the laughing. merry crowd
ready and eager to welcome home the
stout widow. her unfortunate chaperon
and the two supplements" as a vii.
1 Ia IAI hA Tot -.
slim Berthe.
As the yacht drew near. the widows
corpulent form was seen by the rail
on one side tall youth. and on the
other, two. side by side and apparent.
ly In no very good humor.
Three, by George" cried Blatts, q
prosperous brewer from Milwaukee
"She left here with two and returns
with three. Where did she get him,
BARTLETT"
But Bartlett did not answer, did not
hear. The gang-plank had been low.
cred and he was watching in numb
fascination. the tail youth walking be
side the widow. her ridiculous dog In
his arms. 1t was Jeroboam Martin in
an Immaculate white suit of Bertie's.
His hat was of and his hair. after the
swim. cleaned soft and yellow For
the sake Of the widow upon whose
boat he found himself. he had shaved
as well ~ he could with Henry's
razor. ana while lis cheeks were
smooth enough, he still wore n small
yellow mustache and goatee. Both
were brushed until they shone like his
hair and they lent fascinating and
distinctly foreign air 70 his loag. thin.
clever face. In HI a1ms WAS the H.