The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-03-06
CHAPTER III.
"oId Dame Fortune Used Me for q
Football"

Otu Csms FORTUNE Oteu ne Tor
Football"
Ward Warren sat before the fire
place with a oigaret long gone cold
In his fingers and stared into the
blaxe Billy Louise had spoken TO
him twice. and he had not answer
ed. He had been at tho Wolverine
n month. and they were pretty well
acquainted by now, and inclined to
friendiinrss when Ward threw off
his moodiness and his air OF hold.
inE himself ready for some sffront
which he seemed 10 expect
Billy Louise suddenly lost pa
thence. She picked up a bit OF bark
the sire OF her thumb and threw it
al Ward. She had a fine accuracy
Of aim-shc hlt him on the nape OF
the neck.
Ward jumped up and whiried.
and when he faced Billy Louise no
had = gun Erfpped IN the fingers
that had held the c!Eare, 90 loosely.
30 they faced each other. while
Billy Louise backed against the
wall and took two sharp breaths.
Ward rsiaxed. He showed the
Gun back inside the bait Of hts
trousers-Buly Louise had never
dreamed that he carried any weap
on--and dropped back into the
chair. He folded his arms upon the
high chairback and laid his face
down upon them.
Billy Louise set her teeth hard
together TO keep back the tears OF
sympathy. Suffering OF any sor,
always wrung tho tender heart of
her. Bu, suffering like this-nsver
In her life had she seen anything
like H. She went 10 him and laid
her two hands on his shoulders
withou, even thinking that this was
the flrst time she had ever touched
him.
Don't" she said. half whisper
inw 80 that she would not waken
her mother. IN bed with an attack
Of iumbago. Don't look as II you
you hadn't friend on earth Any.
way. you've rot me. and under.
stand all about H." She whispered
those last words. and her heart
thumped heavily with trepidation
after shc had spoken.
Ward raised his head, caught
one OF her hands and held Il fast
while he looked deep into her eyes.
He drew a deep breath and gave
her hand little squeeze and let
IT. 20.
did I scare you, I'm sorry"
he said. speaking in q hushed tone
because OF the woman In the next
room. Il was thinking about a man
may meet some day. and n do
meet him. tho chances are I'll XIII
him. I-didn't--T forgot where
was" Ho fumbled In HIS pocket
for tobacco and papers. Abstract.
eddy he began the making OF a
cigaret.
Billy Louise put wood on the fire.
pulled up square, calico-padded
stool. and sat down. Ward leaned
forward with a twig in his hand,
got II ablaze. and lighted his Gig
aret. He did not look at Billy
Louise until he had taken a Whit
or two.
What made you catch your
breath when I told my name that
night camel" he asked, with a
tensity behind the lightness OF his
tone. Where had you ever heard
OF me before7"
Billy Louise gasped again. sent a
lightning thought into tho future.
and answered more casually than
she had hoped she could.
when | was hid | ran across
the name--somewhere--and used
II TO play with"
"Yes-and what about-under.
standing all about itT Do your
he insisted, leaning toward her.
'T-well, I do-some OF II any
way" Billy Louise lifted a hand
spasmodically to her throat. What
was in the paper she whispered.
What was that? What did Il
say7"
'1-T-what difference does Il
make. what II said7" Billy Louise
turned imploring eyes upon him.
1T doesn't matter--to me-in the
least. it--dldn't say much"
II didn't know there WAS n
woman In the world like YOU" Ward
said irrelevantly and looked into
the fire. Il never knew a woman
could be a frlend-the kind OF
friend man can be-" lie threw his
cigaret into the fire and watched
the paper shrivel swiftly.
"Life's queer thing" he said.
taking a different angle. 81 started
out with big notions about the
things I'd do. Maybe I started
wrong. but for kid with nobody
to point the trail for him. don't
think did so worse--till old Dame
Fortune spotted me In the crowd
and proceeded TO use me for foot
ball" He turned his head quite
| unexpectedly and looked at Billy
I Louise. What was 1t you read?"