The state herald., 1915-05-21

ue dog with it, enormous bow Of ~
blue ribbon.
Bartlett VIC ndered II he were goins
mad and seeing things that were not
30. At two. or thereabouts, he had
seen Martin. dirty, shabby, tired and
had given him money on which to get
drunk. At seven. a yacht. which had
not been in Westhaven for over a
week, carefully deposits the youth.
clean, fresh, well-dressed at his very
side. Was he mad!
Billy. too, had seen; but did not won.
der. She knew he was tramp. for he
had said he was, but she never
thought of him or pictured him other
than well-dressed, well-cared for.
gently blase and bit languid, She
looked at him now over the heads Of
the intervening crowd and her heart
did not question how he came there.
only rushed out to him with the glad
ness in her eyes, the joyous smile on
her parted lips. He had said he would
come. and there he was Further she
did not question. Their eyes met
over the heads of the people, eager
questioning in his. joyful answer in
hers.
Hastily he dropped the pup with
the sky-blue bow upon the wharf.
among the plebeian feet there assem-
bled, and reaching Billy's side through
the crowd. grabbed both small hands
and stood laughing down at her.
Billy" he whispered. "Oh. you
Billy"
There was, there must be some ex.
PLANTATION. Bartlett told himself des,
perately. 1t could not be that this
was not Martin? Bartlett had not
slept with the youth for nearly
week without being pretty familiar
with the long lank form, the thin,
careless face. And 1t was equally i'm
possible that the forlorn piece Of hu.
manity who had stood that afternoon
In the drawing-room and inquired for
Billy was not Martin. They were one
and the same and once more he and
Billy had met on equal footing. To
ask the boy again to get drunk was an
absurdity.
Il suppose l can give him q job
where he won't have much more to do
than draw his pay" thought Bartlett.
hopelessly. dazedly.
The Watermelon dropped Billy's
hands and turned to her father in
well-bred greeting. but their eyes met
and In the Watermelon's was grim de-
fiance. He had seen Billy again and
nothing could part them now. All his
humility and repentance had gone.
and In their place was his old-time
arrogance and sublime self.assurance.
Fate in the form Of a little white dog
had brought him and Billy together
again. with the Watermelon. still
clean. still well-dressed, and to all out.
ward appearances the same as the
other gay youths of Billy's acquaint.
ance. With head up. Jaw shut. he
scorned to lower himself for anyone.
He wsuld prove himself worthy, not
unworthy OF Billy. Out Of his repent.
ance had grown his manhood He
was no nameless hobo OF the great
army OF the unemployed. He was
Jeroboam Martin. son OF the late
Rev. Mr.. .Iartin, In temporary finan-
cial embarrassment that could be soon
remedied, He would work for Billy
and they would be happy on his
wages. He drew himself up and held
out his hand. Bartlett could take It
or not rs he pleased. The Water.
melon had sought or desired no mans
favor. and Jeroboam Martin would not
stoop to do SO.
For one second the two stared at
each other grimly. square jaws shut.
lips unsmiling. then Bartlett's hand
shot forth and he clasped the Water.
melons.
"Ah. Martin" said he. "how are
you. boy1"
And still holding him by the hand.
he patted the Watermelon on his arm,
joviaily. After all he liked The boy.
and right or wrong. wise or foolish.
fate was against any other action.
fate in the form Of halfdrowned
poodle dog.
The Watermelon rested his arm on
Bartletts shoulder with boyish afYec-
ton. Say. BARTLETT" said he In n low
voice, Il got drunk. honest to rights,
But II was so blamed hot. I cooled on
In the ocean before knew what was
about and that sobered me up again
Then ] saw something fall from the
yacht and thought It was n kid from
the noise they were making. not Just
pup. swan out to help and OF
course they hauled me on board. and
now the widow is planning to marry
me-"
Bartlett roared. Say, boy, er-ef
maybe you need loan until ! can
see about that Job for you"
Once more their eyes met and this
time In complete and tender accord.
You're all right" whispered the
Watermelon, his face softening. And
don't you worry about Billy" he add.
ed. IN take care OF her"
~ 3E0 x