The Holly chieftain., 1915-04-09
H CONES
UP SMILING
G& Illustrated b1p
Ehsf'ef Ax1lMxg /

not godly man.
Maybe not" agreed the watermel.
on. But when . mans down, every
ones down ON him. Nothing father
did went right. Ma died and the
home broke up-I don't know what's
become Of all the others-working,
suppose, day after day. like slaves in
. galley, you know. tried It. and
every night drank to drown the
damnable monotony and stupidity of
1t all. So. you see what I am. q bum
"a tramp"
And yourself. my love, my Jerry" j"
Billy held out her hands and hs
caught them and held them tightly In
both his own for moment, then
dropping them. turned away with half
a sob.
Don't. Billy. Don't make II hard
Tor me, dear. We can't marry. I'm
NTH and you're sweetness and pur.
ity."
But other men have married. You
aren't the only one who isn't clean"
i know, but love you. See? When
you love a person. you don't make
them suffer for It You can't under
stand, Billy, for you have never
known life. You don't begin to know
what 1t means. Twill probably marry
girl from the streets, or one with
no brains and no soul. But, you see,
love you"
Btlly's eyes blazed. "You will nev.
er marry any one else with me alive"
said she.
How could marry you, deari 1
have nothing-absolutely nothing. We
couldn't have home anywhere
We can make a home," pleaded
Billy.
You can't make q home with moth
Ing to make 1t on" said the Water
melon.
"Ah. but We have something to
make It on" cried BILLY. I'VE have
you and me-"
.Bpt no money 5s98s e
Why. Jerry, have money: hun
dreds. Thousands, dear"
But the Watermelon shook his head.
Money wouldn't be any good when
I'm rotten" said he.
Dear" crooned Billy, and kissed
him on the chin. for she could reach
no higher.
Billy" he groaned.
Tell me You love me, Jerry"
Tell you love you! All. sweet
heart"
Tell 1t to me, Jerry"
Billy. I love you so, that If there
Is God, / will thank him all my life
for this week and the thought of you"
You may not" said Billy, when
we have been married year."
We can't marry. dear. Don't you
understand? I'm tramp"
And 80 am l."
"Your father will kick me out when
he knows-."
TITS none of my fathers business" I"
said Billy with a saucy tilt of her
small chin. He's marrying whom he
pleases and shall do the same"
wait until l speak to him"
NO" said Billy promptly. II will
speak. Jerry. Promise me that you
won't say thing until we get to the
town where we can telegraph. oh,
Jerry, my love, promise me-"
Il promise, Billy. kid"
Promise you won't say thing un.
til speak"
II won't say thing until can't
help 1t. but what good will that do?"
Let's be happy while we can," re-
turned Billy. with pretty evasion
I'VE have one more day"
"oh. Billy" whispered the Water.
melon.
Billy turned and led the way up the
path to the house while the Water
melon picked up the two suit-cases
and followed her.
At the house they found the general
with his usual inability to conceal a
thing. explaining that they had no
money, but wished to have a two
seated team and driver to take them
to the nearest town.
The farmer did not hail the propo-
sition with unalloyed Joy. He looked
thoughtfully from one to the other
while Bartlett explained earnestly
who he was. who the general was.
who they all were. In vain attempt
to undo the generals commendable. IL
mistaken frankness. Upon promis.
ing to let. the driver keep his watch
as q guaranty Of good faith, to be re-
turned when the money they were to
telegraph for arrived, Bartlett per.
suaded the man to give In and 70 to
the barn for the horses.
Bully drew her father aside, while
the general. Henrietta and the Water.
melon retired discraatly To tia xaii