The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-01-26
BARNEY, BILLY AND B0BS
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
Esther had always known Barney
and Billy and Bobs. She could not
remember a day when they had not
been a part of her life, although she
did not recognize them as a vital
part.
But-the other man had come. He
had dragged Esther from out her
contented care-free life into a love
ENHANCEMENT that threatened to carry
her off entirely from Barney, Billy
and Bobs as well as her every child
hood associate.
James Carter had come out to the
farm from the city in order that he
might gain a certain knowledge of
intensive poultry farming. In COM
ing he had fallen a victim to Esther's
fresh charm and declared himself her
slave before the entire population.
Barney was the first to congratulate
Esther on her engagement.
Il am going to visit Jimmy's peo-
pie" Esther told Barney. Il expect to
be frightfully homesick"
I'D hate to think you wouldn't be-"
Barney said frankly, but you may as
well become accustomed to the new
life you are about to enter. l am go
ing to miss you ten times more be-
cause I have only Billy and Bobs left
to chum with"
When, two weeks later she was COM
fortably ensconced in the beautiful
home of her betrothed and made to
feel one of the family, Esther felt
for the first time that she was really
engaged to marry Jimmy Carter. The
entire change of life, the dressing for
dinner and the servants behind ones
chair and all the formalities of a
well-regulated household brought Es-
ther to sense of responsibility hith-
erto unknown to her.
Jimmy Esther said, Il cannot mar
ry you. My soul it back in the coun-
try. | feel like prisoner beating the
stone walls for freedom
He took her hand within his own
and slipped the ring from her finger.
L will have this made into a pen
dant, and when you wear it just re-
member that loved you deeply enough
to set you free"
He did not look into Esther's eyes,
but turned away toward the cur
tanned window and stood there look
ing out over the city streets. Jimmy
was not seeing anything out there.
Instead, he was looking forward to a
few years distant when he would have
erased the vision of Esther from his
life thoughts. The Darkness brought
a heavy sigh from his lips and he
closed his eyes
He opened them because Esther had
slipped over to his side and her head
dropped softly onto his shoulder. She
was weeping nervously and Jimmy's
arms swept comfortingly about her
Never mind, little girl he said
1T was my own fault for being so
conceited as to imagine | could take
the place of all the wonderful things
that filled your former life = your
family, the beautiful country as well
do ID Duly DOUS. LII Splt0
of himself a slight spasm of pain
shot over Jimmy. 1t was difficult to
realize that Esther might some day
belong to another man.
Esthers sobs ceased suddenly and
she looked wonderingly up at Jimmy.
For the first time in her life Barney,
as possible lover, had been suggested
to her. The thought sent a wave of
hot color over her cheeks and Jimmy
released her from his arms.
After all, Esther" he said as an
added consideration, Il am going to
ask you to wear this ring just until
you are on the train going home
Parents are bound to blame the other
fellow in a case like this and my
parents are only human. | would
rather not have them know until
you are gone. Do you mind?"
Esther was trembling violently and
Jimmy only drew her tenderly into
his arms, so that he seemed to be
holding her against a world of emo
tons. Manlike, he smoothed back the
soft hair from her brow and planted
a kiss there.
Il would rather live in a prison all
my life she said, brokenly, than to
live apart from you" She looked up
and smiled contentedly.