The Springdale news., 1915-06-04
BARNEY, BILLY AND BOBS
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
Copyright, 1914, by the Mcclure Newspa-
 Syndicatal

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 love entanglement that threatened to carry her off entirely from Barney, Billy and Bobs as we'll as her every child hood associate.
 farm from the city in order that he might gain a certain knowledge of intensive poultry farming. In con- ing be had fallen 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.
 T am going to visit Jimmy's peo. pie" Esther told Barney. T expect to be frightfuIiy homesick.'
 "fd 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. 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 con- 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 well.regulated household brought Es- ther to sense of responsibility hith. erto unknown to her.
 Jimmy" Esther said, T cannot mar " 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. T 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 tained 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 blankness 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. Tt was my own fault for being so coneeited as to imagine l could take the place of all the wonderful things that filled your former life your family. the beautiful country as we'll as Barney, Billy and Bobs" In spite of himself slight spasm of pain shot over Jimmy. It 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 a 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. T am going to ask you to wear this ring just until you are on the train going home. Parents are bound to blame the othes 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?s
 Esther was trembling violently and Jimmy only drew her tenderly into l his arms. so that he seemed to be i holding her against world of emo. tions. Manlike, he smoothed back the | soft hair from her brow and planted a kiss there
 T would rather live in a prison all my life, she said. hrokenly than tp live apart from yon.o She looked uQ and smiled contenteffly.