The Holly chieftain., 1915-02-26
CHAPTER XIV.
BILLY. Billy. Exerxwhere.


Bartlett nodded. He had been watch
ing Henrietta through halliday. half
closed lids. leaning against a. fallen
log. Somehow out there in the cool
ness and sweetness of the summer
night. In the open country, with only
the drumming of the insects and the
shrill clamor Of frogs to break the
silence. nothing seemed to matter. to
be worth struggling for. He felt that
he hardly cared what was happening
in his absence, back there In the hot,
crowded, dirty city. A few more mil
lions added to the useless many he
already owned, what did 1t matter!
What amount could buy the night, the
peace and sweetness and content?
You're right, General" said he.
watching the play on Henrietta's thin,
white hands in the lamplight, as she
and Billy arranged the evening meal.
"A mans not man In the city
nothing but dirty. money-grubbing
proposition. Dollars and cents, dol
lars and cents. the only reason Of his
being"
Il know" agreed Henrietta. nodding
Il sometimes wonder why 1t was SO
arranged-the world. you know. Why
couldn't love. courage. honor have
been made the medium of exchange.
the most vital necessity OF life? Ev-
cry one has to have money. so every
one has to struggle for 1t. Why
couldn't things have been started DIFF
ferently"
Potatoes. two kisses a peck" sug-
gested the Watermelon.
Three" said Bartlett, III the pur-
chaser is young and pretty. A smile
would be enough, II she were old and
wrinkled and unwed"
"A motor-car would probably neces-
state a wedding" said the general
mo. no, no." protested Henrietta.
How silly! You don't understand me
at ALL"
II would hate to be clerk at q
bargain SALE" said the Watermelon,
pilfering cracker from the box Billy
held.
yes" agreed Bartlett. think of the
microbes"
"Microbes?" asked Billy who had
not been following the conversation.
"Where?"
''In kisses, Billy" said the general.
Il should think you would have found
it out by this time. Everybody you
kiss"
81 never kiss anybody" protested
Billy, blushing delightfully."-.
Father used to say" began the
Watermelon.
Look here" interrupted Bartlett.
that father Of yours was minister,
you say. vow he could know nothing
about this subject"
He married more people than you
have" said the Watermelon.
"Yes." said Henrietta kindly. "he
must have known all about 1t. Do tell
US what he said"
He used to say that kissing was
Just the reverse Of poker"
Poker" cried Bartlett. "No won.
der your father left the ministry"
1T says in the papers that your
father was a policeman" declared the
general.
"A policeman of souls" said Henri
eta softly.
Surely" persisted the general, III
your father were minister"
The Watermelon looked up from the
key Of the sardine tin he was labori.
ously turning and glanced gently at
the general. his woman's eyes amused
and plying, the expression they al.
ways wore for the general.
why, you see that is Just what 1
always fancied He used to preach
and have church-but II the papers
say he was cop. he probably was"
ITS a wise child that knows his
own father" said Henrietta. Come
to supper everybody"
Supper over, the general conceived
the sudden inspiration .of tinkering
while with the cars. Alphonse stood
by to assist and the others wandered
OF down the road before turning In
for the night.
Cro BE coNTINURDJ