The Holly chieftain., 1915-01-08


glorious possibilities. found himself
agreeing.
The car had reached the top Of the
steep hill. and suddenly left the trees.
the narrow. woodland road. with the
columbine and Wild roses nodding at
them from the underbrush. and swept
out on to wide. well-kept driveway.
With smooth rolling lawns on each
side and majestic white building a.
crowning glory on the top Of the
hill.
Grandview did not belle It's name.
High on the topmost ridge, it looked
over valley and woods and streams.
beyond to farther hills. peak after
peak. range after range, fading into
blue shadow against the sky. It
was big. square. garish building,
gaunt and unloveiy among its lovely
surroundings.
There are the Bartletts now" cried
Henrietta, ~ the train OF cars ap.
preached the porch Poor dears. we
have kept them waiting"
I WONDER" said the Watermelon,
why q guy always gets SO hungry
ON Sunday"
Nothing else to do" suggested Hen
rfetta. 'b1t eat"
Inc car stopped and she started to
aight. but the Watermelon was be-
fore. onerfng his hand with grace
bred OF absolute unconsciousness of
self.
Alphonse can take your car to the
garage and fll 1t with gasolene." said
the general.
"Aw. don't bother" protested the
Watermelon.
Tush. tush. man, 1t is no bother" /"
ana the general turned to the coldly
respectful Alphonse.
Henrietta had started toward the
steps and the Watermelon turned to
FOLLOW her, when he saw her standing
on the top step. looking straight at
MIN across Heprietta's shoulder.
The Watermelon, gazing al her. for
got everything. Henrietta, dinner, the
general. He stared and she stared
back. The brown suit with the pale
green stripe and the faint suggestion
OF red, lent an undeniable improve
ment to the broad shoulders and long
limbs Of the graceful Watermelon.
The admirable shave and haircut the
village barber had given him in ex-
change for his own quarter, revealed
the square-cut chin and the ! good
natured, careless mouth Of the born
ne'er-do-well,
Billy" said Henrietta, I'VE have
had an adventure and picked up an.
other guest Miss Bartlett, Mr.. Bat
chelor."
Were You part of the adventure I"
asked Billy. holding out her hand
Yes. said the Watermelon, incap-
able Of further speech.
Henrietta presented him to Mr.
Bartlett, q stout. red-faced gentleman
Of middle age. Wealth, success. self
complacency radiated from him like
the rays Of the sun. He grasped the
hard, brown hand OF the Watermelon
and looked the young man up and
down, noticing the pin in his tie, the
panama and the silk socks without
seeming fairly to notice the man.
William Hargrave Batchelor!" he
murmured questioningly.
The same." answered the general
heartily, feeling that he had done
something praiseworthy In capturing
the young man. He drew on his
gloves and beamed at the Watermel.
on. He Is young one to beat us,
Bartlett. We ought to be Oslerized."
Bartlett's eyes cleaned as he shook
the Watermelon's hand with renewed
pleasure. youth" said he oratori-
cally. SIS hard TO beat. General, but
we aren't deaduns yet. have had
an occasional try at the Street, my
self, Mr.. Bachelor. You may have
heard Of me-"
"oh. yes" said the Watermelon ab-
sently. thinking OF the girl With the
single dimpie and the turned.up nose.
Father took me. once." said Billy.
ut was terrible. Are you broker,
Mr.. Batchelor?"
Haven't you read yesterdays pa
pers, Billyf" exclaimed Henrietta.
II never read the papers," admitted
Billy, with charming smile. Just
the front page headlines. sometimes" !"
"He was there laughed the gen.
eral. I'm inch.hiEh print. He broke
the cotton ring, my dear" The gen.
erals tone was full Of reflected glory
as the host Of q great man.
"Oh, cried Billy. that's where "a.
ther lost 80 much. He told me this
morning. Just as we left the house"
Bartlett glanced sharply at the Wa.
termelon and interrupted Billy With