The state herald., 1915-05-14

He, however, was the first to speak.
The schoolhouso recalled miserable
days Of long dull confinement, and he
nodded toward 1t. pausing In the grass
by the wayside. "A standing monu.
ment." said he, TO buried freedom"
81 never went to school," said Billy.
at must be awful"
Awful" the Watermelon shrugged
TITS taken ten years from my life,
Schools should be abolished"
They sat down on the tiny, weather
stained step, side by side. in the gath.
ering dusk.
Billy" began the Watermelon ear
nestly. and then stopped.
Poor little Billy's heart fluttered and
she put her hand to her hair in her
nervousness. you know" she said
firmly. irrelevantly. II love you
Jerry"
81 know. dear" replied the Water.
melon. And love you. No matter
where am, Billy, no matter what hap
pens, you are the best in me and
will keep you best. I'm shiftless. lazy
no count, but Billy. kid. I'll always
love you"
"And We will get married and live
happily ever AFTER" crooned Billy.
I'm going away tonight, Billy. back
to the road"
"oh. Jerry, please. dear. II father
knew how much l care"
mo. Billy. your fathers righ de
said to give you time; for me %
away for while and maybe you
would get-over it."
"And II did," demanded Billy, III
loved another. wouldn't you be
jealous? Wouldn't you kill that other
Jeroboam Martini" She clenched her
small fist and pounded him on the
knee to emphasize the passion in her
voice.
IF he were decent chap" STAN
mered the Watermelon. 1T would be
better for you"
ITS terrible" interrupted Billy
when the girl has to do all the low
ing"
you only love me. but love you
See the difference?" asked the Water
melon. ITS simply impossible for
your love to be as great as mine for
that reason. Your father said could
come to you the last OF August n,
Westhaven, and I'm coming. Billy"
And then we can marry, did father
say that7" asked Billy. turning to him
"If you care STILL" muttered the
Watermelon.
Care" Billy laughed the contrary
to merry scorn. Care? Why. Jero-
boam Martin. when will l not care ?"
The Watermelon flushed and rose
as the ,wisest course under the cir.
cumstances. I'm on Say good-by to
the others for mo. will you, Billyr"
you will be my knight" whispered
Billy. And | will be your lady, and
no knight ever went back on his lady,
yet, Jeroboam."
You've got darned poor knight. {"
grunted the Watermelon. Suddenly he
turned and caught her In his arms.
dragging her to him and forcing back
her head to see into her eyes. NE,
Billy" he cried. will you be true to
me. for ever and for ever. no matter
what happens. no matter what do,
Could you, will you love me always"
Always, always" whispered Billy.
Dirty. drunk!"
Dirty and drunk and sick and al.
ways" promised Billy. only you
won't drink, because | love you"
Love never yet stood between a
man and the whisky bottle" sneered
the Watermelon. you don't know
men, kid"
He let her go and turned away with
a shamed laugh. "Good.by. Billy"
"Good.by. Jerry" replied Billy.
frightened at she knew not what
realizing that there were after all
things In mems lives of which she
knew nothing. She walked with him
to the fence and watched him swing
over II.
"Cross-cuts for me-" he explained.
holding out his hand. She placed
hers In II and he crushed her small
fingers until they hurt. then turning
abruptly. left her there among the
brambles. watching him across the
bars.