The state herald., 1915-03-12

huu Uureiy ne WOulQ Be0 tue IOuy u
what he had done the day before, when
lured on by the pretty. bewitching
Billy. He would realize now in the
clear light Of day that he must return
to the city or get word to his brokers
somehow. He might even then be In
a telegraph office. sending dispatch
Of far-reaching Importance.
Bartlett dressed with feverish haste
and hurried out to the side porch.
The Watermelon was there. sitting in
the sun, his feet hanging over the
edge of the porch. talking carelessly
with the immobile Alphonse. Both
were smoking and both had apparent
ly been up for some time. Had Batch
elor been to the village and tele-
graphed already? He would have had
time to go and return II he had used
one of the cars.
The Watermelon looked up. "Hells,"
said he
Hello" said Bartlett. Been up
long?"
"Notso long," said the Watermelon
Are the cars all right?" asked Bart
lett.
II haven't been to see." said tho
Watermelon. rolling another cigarette.
Bartlett drew sigh Of relief and
started after Alphonse for the shed
beside the barn. The Watermelon
had not had time to walk to the vii
lage and back, besides telegraphing.
Bartlett paused and glanced over his
shoulder.
Aren't you coming?"
NO." said the Watermelon. II amt
bugs about the gasoline buggies."
Bartlett walked on, shrewdly guess
ing that the languid youth was wait
ing for Billy. Her charms. 1t seemed,
had not grown any less effective. He
decided that he would not try to get In
touch with his broker. He could trust
him to take care of the city end OF
the business II Bachelor were to be
eliminated until the following Sunday
Bartlett admitted to himself, as he
gazed abstractedly at the shining
cars. that the young man had not ap
peared visibly impressed either by
himself or the general. But Bachelor
was clever and would hide his elation
The Watermelons slow drawl at
last aroused him.
"Cut it." said the Watermelon.
THE cops are coming"
One of New Yorks leading citizens.
bank president and corporation direc.
tor. felt slow, cold. clammy chill
creeping up his spinal column. His
first ip7tinctive desire. like that OF
the small boy caught robbing an apple
orchard. was to hide. Last night was
one OF those unfortunate occurrences
1t were best to pass over in silence
He turned and glanced at the house
The place looked deserted In the morn.
ing sunshine. The blinds were drawn.
the doors shut The general and the
girls apparently still slept, and nc
country variety of New York's finest"
with warrant and shotgun could be
seen approaching. Alphonse looked
up from the car and gazed a moment
at the house with the scornful indif.
ference for the law and its minions OF
the confirmed joy-rider.
Il do not see anyone" said Bartlett
with calm dignity.
They are creeping up on u.s." said
the Watermelon cheerfully. Trust
the rube to do the thing up in style
Three men came along. They stopped
down by the gate and talked. pointing
up here. then one ran on to the vii
lage to get help. suppose. and the
other two are waiting down there"
Il will go and explain that 1t was .
mistake" said Bartlett
Now. don't do that" adJured the
Watermelon. 1t was Just possible thai
the police had already picked up his
trail and he preferred the chance OF
escaping in n car to stealing away by
himself. through the woods. tramp
again. leaving behind him Billy and .
week OF fun. "Alphonse can bring ur
the cars and We can slip away before
the reinforcements come. See?"
Il will explain that II was a mis-
take"
Mistakes" said the Watermelon
coldly, aren't on the cards In school
and the law. Come up TO the house
and sec the others iirst. anyway"
"one can nfford mistakes as well M
any other luxury" said Bartlett
Money is all the fellows want"
Let's talk II over first with the 9th.
ers. anyway" urged the Watermelon
feeling that It might be that money
wns not all they wanted
They found the general and the girls
In the kitchen putting II In order.
Certainly" said the general with
tho calmness OF one immune from the
law. I'VE will explain"
"what7" asked Henrietta. as ahs
drew shut tho basket lid and slippee
In the catch.
cro pE coNTiNuEp)