The state herald., 1915-03-26

where she leaned, q slender figure
against the post Of the porch. 'In the
night one sees universe" and he
waved his lighted cigar vaguely to
ward the myriads OF stars above
| them.
What good does that do." asked the
Watermelon, seeing universe? It's
miles away and can't help you any"
You have no beauty in your soul,
declared Henrietta ~ think the idea
Is beautiful. seeing universe"
When you are down and out. you
don't take any pleasure in looking at a
Universe" said the Watermelon. "A
dollar. or even quarter, will look a
darned sight more beautiful"
Il wouldn't like to be poor" said
Billy. ut must be 60 terrible to have
no motor-car, for one thing"
1T Is" agreed the Watermelon, who
would have agreed to anything Billy
said. TITS simply awful"
What did you mind most" asked
Billy. when you were newsboy?"
Let's go look at the universe" sug-
gested the Watermelon hastily. I'VE
can see 1t much better down the road
bit"
Billy consented, and they strolled
away in the dark. The general. who
thought he was talking politics, was
laying down the law to the hotel clerk.
and Henrietta and Bartlett we're left
n1Ono Thay l;puarad n vnou,onf m
the porch and then quietly disappeared
up the road in the opposite direction
from that taken by Billy and the Wa
termelon.
Bartlett's desire was to reach Maine
as soon as possible and get lost over
Saturday. but to o-avoid every city and
larger town on the way and to hurry
by the smaller places where there
might be telegraph or telephone con-
nections.
"out of touch of the world for a
week." he was fond Of repeating, mo
letters. no papers. no worries and no
nerves."
Apd his desire was the watermel-
on's. The more they avoided towns.
the better the youth liked It. Tele-
graph and telephone stations were
zealously Stunned. He would have
liked to have seen a paper. SO as to
Judge what the police thought in the
case of the theft Of the wealthy young
stockholders car. provided Bachelor
had allowed the thing to become pub
lie, which he very much doubted,
from the little he knew of the mans
character. It was hardly an episode
one would care to see in print II one
was dignified and self.made. And the
Watermelon chuckled.
1t took them longer than Bartlett
hoped. sticking to narrow, unused
country roads. and the next night
found them still In Vermont They
spent the night at the village board
ing house. and once again Billy and
the Watermelon went down the road
a bit to look at the universe. and Hen
rietta and Bartlett went up the road.
The following day. to Bartlstt's sat
IsfaStlon, khoiapt lost. 1t - ate IN
'tne Afternoon when they stopped at
Milford. small town in New Hamp-
shire, and made inquiries about the
next town. Was 1t far and would the
accommodation be good! II wasn't
far. the farmer whom they questioned.
assured them. only five miles. He di.
rected them how to go and they
thanked him and pushed on.
They went on and on and nightfall
found them In lonely bit OF wooded
road apparCotly miles from any town
or habitation. Bartlett was pleased.
They were lost. and by great good
luck they might remain lost for a con.
siderable length of time. The gen
eral. too. was delighted. They would
make a night OF IL The lunch basket
had been nllcd earlier In the day at
country store. so there would be
enough to eat The seats OF the autos
were soft and one could sleep In the
cars or on the ground. as one pre-
ferred. II was warm and the rugs
and shawls would be covering enough.
They ran tho cars out OF the road to
convenient clearing. Henrietta got
out the basket, shawls were spread
on the ground In the light OF the two
cars and they prepared to make the
best Of things.
This is like old times" declared
the general genially: "a night on the
march. far out on the prairies. not .
thing In sight. not n sound but .
coyote or the cry Of wolf"
And Indians said Henrietta, hid.
lack Of tho nearest hillock. creep
Ing up on you anawares."
Billy glanced behind her at
woods and wished they had chosen =
more open place to dine.
Yes" agreed the general cheerful.
ly. "or down In some southern swamp.
with tho Johnny Rebs stealing through
the bushes"
"oh. please" begged Billy. What's
s,S @ l. ooAl