The state herald., 1915-02-12

"Sit down." ordered the Water
melon. Its no COW, unfortunately
It's the general"
Billy glanced around. 81 thought
heard some one cough"
so did /. 1t can't be the general
He wouldn't cough"
A hollow cough sounded distinctly
from the bushes behind and the Wa
termelon rose to investigate. 1t was
nearly three and at three he would 60
or the man down yonder In the swim
ming hole might come after him to
reclaim his clothes and motorcar. The
Watermelon begrudged every precious
moment
Wait, and ! will see what the mutt
wants." said he. You will wait
won't your" he pleaded. looking down
at her where she sat on the log.
We really ought to CO." said Billy.
All right. but don't run off until
rve-Ive cured that cough. will your
Billy nodded and the Watermelon
strobe to the bushes from whence had
sounded the harsh, constrained cough.
He pushed the branches aside and
gazed into the small, pinched face OF
thin youth Of about eighteen. dressed
in the uniform of the hotel.
Hist" cautioned the boy. before
the Watermelon could speak IL want
to tell yod something important"
All right. spit 1t out and be quick
about It," ordered the Watermelon.
IL don't want no one to hear
me-" said the boy, with motion
toward the log and Billy's slim young
back.
The Watermelon hesitated, but In
the shifty eyes he saw fear and def
erence. II he knew the Watermelon
for a tramp. there would be no defer
ence.
"Gwan, spit 1t out" ordered the
Watermelon. Il amt keen for the
pleasure of hearing any OF your heart
to heart secrets"
It's very important" said the boy.
and no one must hear"
81 suppose you think every one is
bursting to hear your words OF wis
dom," said the Watermelon. Prob
ably get dime a word. eh?"
It's about you," said the boy, harsh
with impatience and nervousness.
It's" He drew a piece of paper
from his pocket and held It out. He
gave me that to send"
Who are your"
The telegraph clerk" whispered
the hoy. with frightened glance
toward Billy on the log.
The Watermelon read the paper
and smiled slow. sweet smile of an.
ticipated pleasure as the full import
OF Bartlett's telegram became clear.
He glanced at Billy and his smile
deepened. Then he turned and drew
the boy farther away.
Bartlett sent this. eh!"
Yes" cried the boy. eager with eI.
element over the service he was rem.
dering the great man. And the min
ute read 1t and knew that you were
here. / knew you ought to have IT,"
Where Is he now?"
Il seen him on the front porch
with Miss Crossman. Say, you'll want
to be going now. won't you. huh! You
ken get to New York tonight II you
hurry"
The Watermelon ratified the coins
In his pockets and looked down at
the thin. crafty face OF the younsster.
KID" said he. ''if you keep on ~
you've begun. you'll be doing time.
sure. You're n thievins little snipe
and ought to be head OF n corpora
ton some day. or a United states sen.
ator. cause you haven't as much
honor as n grasshopper. see. I donV
know why you shouldn't land In Sing
Sing. II you miss the corporation Job
or the senate
Huh" said the boy. reddening with
the praise OF the great man.
III you let on that you have shown
this to me. you will lose your Job
here. you know. So. until can see
my friend. J. Pierpont. about that
other Job for you. you'd better keep
your mouth shut undcrstandy"
Sure" cried the boy. Course I
understand"
Tho Watermelon handed him a
quarter. when reach New York"
said he airily. "l'll send you me check
for n thousand"
tTo DE CONTINUED