The Holly chieftain., 1915-04-16

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and childlike, The Watermelon sat
down beside her.
where's Henrietta?' he asked. ig-
noring her eyes and the question they
asked.
Upstairs" said Billy. fixing up"
Come and walk down the road
with me q bit?" asked the Watermel-
on. He rose and held out his hand
to help her up
Billy rose with a trembling laugh
that failed miserably in its manifest
attempt to be brave.
Neither Billy nor the Watermelon
spoke until they had left the village
some little way behind and had come
to four crossroads with the usual
small, dingy schoolhouse. door locked,
dirty windows closed for the summer
and shabby. faded blinds drawn.
Billy knew from the Watermeion's
face that the interview with her ia
ther had been far from satisfactory.
She feared that the Watermelon had
not stood up" for himself, that her
speaking to her father that morning
had not helped matters as she had
hoped 1t would. She tried to think
of something to say that would infiu.
ence the boy, something she could do
to show him how she cared, so he
would not think of leaving her.
He, however. was the first to speak.
The schoolhouso recalled miserable
days OF long duh confinement, and he
nodded toward 1t. pausing in the grass
by the wayside. "A standing monu-
ment." said he, 'to buried freedom"
Il never went to school," said Billy.
1T must be awful"
Awful" the Watermelon shrugged.
IT'S taken ten years from my life
Schools should be abolished"
They sat down on the tiny, weather
stained STEP side by side. in the gath
ering dusk.
Billy" began the Watermelon ear
nestly, and then stopped.
Poor little Billy.s heart fiuttered and
she put her hand to her hair in her
nervousness. You know" she said
firmly. irrelevantly, Il love you,
jerry"
Il know. DEAR" replied the Water
melon. And love you. No matter
where am, Billy, no matter what hap
pens. you are the best In me and /
will keep you best. I'm shiftless, lazy,
no count. but Billy, kid. I'll always
love you"
And We will get married and live
happily ever after" crooned Billy.
I'm going away tonight, Billy, back
to the road"
"Oh. Jerry. please. dear. II father
knew how much care"
mo. Billy. your fathers right. He
said to give you time; for me to 90
away for while and maybe you
would get-over It,"
"And II 1 did" demanded Billy. "if
| loved another, wouldn't you be
Jealous? Wouldn't you kill that other.
Jeroboam Martini" She clenched her
small fist and pounded him on the
knee to emphasize the passion in her
voice.
"If he were decent chap" stam-
mered the Watermelon. 1T would be
better for you"
TITS terrible" interrupted Billy.
when the girl has to do all the Low.
Ing"
you only love me. but love you.
See the differencc?" asked the Water.
melon. ITS simply impossible for
your love to be as great as mine for
that reason. Your father said | could
come to you the last of August at
Westhaven, and I'm coming, Billy"
And then we can marry, did father
say that?" asked Billy. turning to him.
"1f you care STILL" muttered the
Watermelon.
Care" Billy laughed the contrary
to merry scorn. Care? Why, Jero-
boam Martin, when will 1 not carer?
The Watermelon flushed and rose
as the wisest course under the cir.
cnmstances. I'm of. Say good-by to
the others for me. will you, Billy?"
You will be my knight" whispered
Billy. And will be your lady, and
no knight ever went back on his lady,
yet, Jeroboam"
You've got darned poor knight"
grunted the Watermelon Suddenly he
turned and caught her in his arms.
dragging her to him and forcing back
her head to see into her eyes. BILLY,
Billy" he cried, will you be true to
me, for ever and for ever, no matter
what happens, no matter what do?
Could you, will you love me always7"
Always, always" whispered Billy
Dirty. drunk?"
Dirty and drunk and sick and al.
wayS" nrOmIsod ny,1, uns,