The Holly chieftain., 1915-02-05

1
for any Unforeseen emergency. She
had taken on her hat. and her soft
yellow hair. bound back by . black
velvet snood. escaped around her tenn
pies in tiny waves. Her eyes, thought
the Watermelon. were brighter than
the lamp upon the table and her laugh
Ing. kissable mouth redder than the
crimson lips Of the fair creatures in
the gay calendars on tho wall Her
hand upon the latch Of the dtor was
30 near his own. that he was tempted
to put his on It. but instead slipped
his into his pocket with a delicacy he
did not recognize in himself. She was
q girl. young and sweet and attractive.
and because she was attractive, she
had been nuns into the nav Of the
street. 4 victim OF the ages insane de-
sire for money and more money. Each
dainty curl. each fash and disappear-
ance Of her single dimple had been
reckoned ~ SO much In dollars and
cents. So the Watermelon put his
hand in his pocket and only watched
her with poorly veiled admiration.
do you know what am looking
fort" she asked. glancing at him. her
eyes full Of mischief.
For the family silver" said the Wa
termelon. I'VE might as we'll take
some souvenir Of our visit"
Il don't believe the family silver 10
silver" said she. 81 am trying to ind
bucket which you can take to the
well and fill for tea. 1t will give you
an appetite"
I'VE will let Alphonse 90 for the
water" said the Watermelon. turning
over the articles on the dusty. crowd.
ed shelves. "The general sees to
the cars. We will give Alphonss .
chance to earn his pay"
you should do something to earn
yours" said she.
what is minef" he asked. trying to
see into her eyes.
I'VE must And that bucket" said
she. gazing innocently upward at the
higher shelves. II love to muss around
among other peoples things. They are
SO much more interesting than your
own. wonder why"
I'VE can't be amused with ourselves
and our things" said the Watermelon.
I'VE are too important Father used
to say nothing else was really impor-
tant but ourselves and what affected
u.s."
Henrietta, fussing with the alcohol
lamp At the table. laughed. why
didn't your father write q book" she
asked. 70 philosophy 1t would have
been deal more interesting than
James or Spencer or Decant."
"He used to say that man who
knew life rever wrote about It It
would be too painful. It wouldn't sell"
There was heavy step on the porch
and Bartlett turned quickly with sick
ening fear. 1t was Alphonse come
from putting the cars away In the
shed beside the barn. Bartlett wiped
his brow and swallowed heavily. This
was terrible. this being In another
mans house unlawfully. The utterly
hopeless inability to explain satisfac-
torily took all ones nerves away. He
glanced at the other four. merrily un-
conscious Of his Ehastly discovery.
their thoughts filled only with the de-
sire to eat.
"Billy," said he sharply. what are
you doing in that closet! Come away
at once"
81 was only trying to find bucket"
stammered Billy.
Those things don't belong to you.
You have NO right there" And Bart
lett sternly and promptly shut the
door.
Billy drew back hurt. 'I don't sec
why it is 80 wrong to break into .
mans pantry" said she, "after you
have broken into his house. Besides,
daddy. you have known these people
all your life."
That's the trouble" said Bartlett
desperately, with rush, II don't know
these people. have never been here
before" He glared defantly at the
general, daring him to suggest the
blue book.
For moment no one spoke. Al.
phonse ut the door. hat In hand, the
general by the table. another prema.
turely acquired sandwich in his hand
half way to his mouth, Henrietta, busy
with the flame of the tiny alcohol
lamp. Billy before him, the Water
melon on the edge Of the dresser
where he had seated himself. all stared
in dull surprise. The Watermelon
broke the silence.
Better to break into another mans
house than have him break into
yours" said he. He glanced at Bart.
lett with Just the flicker of amusement
In h}u WILD 0roy o~o, xhs-,... -.