The state herald., 1915-05-21

spend the autumn in q small cottage
which the general was pleased to call
his "shooting-box." But Bartlett's
pleasure at seeing Henrietta once
more was mingled with worry and un'
easiness over Billy and the Water
melon. He smoked thoughtfully and
watched Billy warily, tenderly. She
leaned against pile and gazed over
the vast unrest of the ocean to the
distant horizon. with dreaming, un-
fathomable eyes Bartlett knew OF
whom she was thinking. whom wait
Ing for more and more eagerly every
day now as August drew to close
and still he did not come. But this
evening he had come. he was In the
same neighborhood. drunk and prob
ably hungry. When they met. as they
must and that shortly, would he make
n scene, become ioud-mouthed, foul,
abusive? 1t would be hard on Billy.
and Bartlett wished vainly that he
could spare her. But 1t was best that
she should know. should understand
fully and with sudden quick cut 1t
would be over with. the June madness
when one is young and pretty and
care-free. Billy would read her folly
In the bleared eyes Of shiftless fool.
Poor little Billy and her puppy love!
A most unfortunate affair. the whole
mistaken. unhappy business!
There comes the Mary Glouces-
ter" said Billy. breaking into his
thoughts.
THE Mary Gloucester" chuckled
Bartlett. That woman hasn't the
sense OF her ugly little poodle dog"
Il know" said Billy. that is why
have always been SO afraid Of her"
why afraid Of herr"
For n mother" explained Billy I'M
fortunately, but Enthusiastically say
Ing the wrong thing.
Bartlett flushed. You Just admit
ted that she was a fool. Do you think
l would marry that kind of woman ?"
Men always do" said Billy. "A
FOOLS bad enough. but a fool and
money are simply irresistible"
You know too much for your age,"
said Bartlett coldly.
Billy. Il just see It,"
BILLY. have you ever seen me"
Yes, father. That night in the pa
vilion at the Ainsleys-"
That will do. Billy"
Billy was hurt 81 don't mean to be
nasty. father: but you asked me-"
There comes the mailboat." inter
rupted Bartlett firmly.
Billy looked at 1t and sighed. Il
was the last Of August and Jeroboam
Martin had not come. Had he forgot.
ten her in two short months?
Bartlett laid his hand tenderly on
her shoulder. Forget him. grille.
He's not worthy OF you" i
He said he would come" whispered
Billy.
IF he doesn't. dear, you have me.
We have stood together through
everything for eighteen years and will
stand. still. eh. Billy?"
Billy bent her head and rubbed her
cheek against the hand on her shoul.
der with half laugh and half sob.
With the first sight OF the smoke
on the horizon. heralding the approach
OF the principal event OF the day, the
arrival Of the evening mail, a crowd
had begun to gather. the usual mot
ley crowd OF n summer resort on the
coast. The sight OF the Mary Glou.
cester. steaming gracefully into port,
was greeted with gay futter of
handkerchiefs and straw hats. and
Billy and Bartlett. standing where the
yacht would dock. we're soon the cen.
ter OF the laughing. merry crowd.
ready and eager to welcome home the
stout widow, her unfortunate chaperon
and the two supplements" as n VII.
lage wag called the fat Henry and the
slim BERTHE.
As the yacht drew near, the Widows
corpulent form was seen by the rail.
on one side tall youth. and on the
other. two. side by side and apparent.
ly. in no very good humor.
Three. by George" cried Blatts. a
prosperous brewer from Milwaukee
"She left here with two and returns
with three. Where did she get him.
Bartlett?"
But Bartlett did not answer. did not
hear. The gans-plank had been low.
cred and he was watching In numb
fascination. the tall youth walking be-
side the widow. her ridiculous dog In
his arms. II was Jeroboam Martin In
an immaculate white suit OF Bertie's.
His hat was OF and his hair, after the
swim, cleaned soft and yellow For
the sake of the widow upon whose
boat he found himself. he had shaved
nS well as he could with Henry's
razor and while his cheeks were
smooth enough. he still wore small
yellow mustaehe and goatee. both
were brushed until they shone like his
hair and they lent u fascinating and
distinctly foreign air TO his long. thin.
clever face. In his arms was the III.