The state herald., 1915-04-09
CHAPTER XVI.
A Thief In the Nioht.


Billy laughed a low. throaty gurgle,
and laid her hand an instant on his
sleeve. Don't you see. she believed
in God and she believed In you. You
didn't go back on her. Would GodY
The Watermelon did not answer. He
was busy with a scene OF the long
ago. He and the youngest Miss Mar.
tin had been engaged in set-to which
hardly savored Of brotherly love. and
parental authority had separated
them and passed judgment
Sister should not have struck you."
the mother said as she stood him
grimly in the corner. But Jeroboam,
you should not have deceived sister.
II you men would only keep faith with
your women, this word would be too
good to leave. even for Heaven" she
had added with her usual tired sigh.
How had he kept faith with Billy
The question stared him In the face
and he felt like the child again. stand
Ing In the corner. unable to answer
For the sake Of an amusing week Of
her society. he had practically be.
trayed her father. had branded him
self q thief by keeping the clothes.
the watch. the money. which he had
taken wrongly, for q few hours fun,
but which he had intended to return.
In the love he felt for the girl, his
long-stihed conscience slowly stirred
again.
Billy was talking. grooming her com.
fort with the maternity latent In all
women FOR the men they love. Don't
you see. Jerry, there is a God7 Think
OF what you did for your mother, think
Of how proud she was OF you when
you did 20 well. BY sheer grit you
have made yourself what you are.
You arc tired and blue tonight. poor
old boy"
The Watermelon was not listening.
He took = roll Of bills from his pocket
and oouated them. Billy watched him
IN psreiexity. Was he worrying over
money. she wondered. One hundred
and seventy-four dollars left He had
not had An opportunity to spend more
Of that roll Of bills which he had be.
tNyed . woman and lowered his man.
hood TO steal. He crushed the bills
back into his pocket and rose.
I'VE had better 70 back" said he
shortly. It's late"
They found Henrietta and Bartlett
on the front porch. talking In low
voices. oblivtoua to all else. The zen.
srsl had long since sought the doubt.
fsl comfort of the country bed for
city boarderu.
Billy held out her hand to the Wa.
termelon. n little ceremony sho had
hsretoforo neglected. wishing In her
tender little hoart that she understood
his strange mood better and could
comfort him.
Good night" said sho gently.
Good night" said the Watermelon
Henrietta rose. Il didn't know Il
was 20 late. Walt. Billy. am coming
with you. Good night. all"
Bartlett followed the girls, but nt
the door he stopped and glanced back
st the Watermelon standing on the
rrnsa by tho steps.
Better come TO bed" said he
The Watermelon nodded abstrncted.
ly and Bartlett went In. leaving him
out there alone.
without thinking OF Billy other than
as pretty girl with whom to fiirt.
moved by the mischief OF the moment.
he had placed her father financially Mt
the mercy OF his enemy. And now 10
right the wrong TO Billy. the only
thing he could do would be to tell
them who he was. tramp, maraue.
rsding with decent people In hla stolen
nnery, Petty thieving. tho sharp
tricks OF the road. had paSeed quickly
from his conscience. but this was dif.
f~rcnt A woman had bccn thrown
jnto the bargain. tAs woman he lovsA.