Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-12-21

pened.
1t was the cessation of the rustling
leaves which at first attracted Billy's
attention, then a low breathed "Ah.'
Under pretense of securing his hand
kerchief he placed his satchel on the
ground and glanced around.
The girl was standing quite still
her widened eyes staring straiglu
ahead.
In quick alarm, Bliy's gaze followed
hers. There. between them in tl,s
path. his crooked legs bent as if for y
spring, crouched Il great bulldog. I'll
creatures body trembled with ruIa
bling, growing breaths. His boOdSh
eyes looked steadily toward the gifl
About his jaws cleaned somethi,a
white and frothy. Billy spoke evenly.
Keep perfectly STILL" he told tne
| girl. You will be all right"
She seemed almost not to hear him.
her eyes still fixed upon the pantin2
| dog. Then. with a little inarticulat~
cry, she turned, suddenly covering Lg'
face with her hands as Billy Slipped
noiselessly forward. his fingers CLASP
ing about the dogs throat.
Still with covered face the girl Saat
down upon a mound of leaves, and
when at last she looked about man aid
dog had disappeared. Slowly the gil
went forward. bringing with carefn
touch Billy's valise to rest close beside
her own.
Then she waited.
After what seemed an interminabIe
time she saw him walking briskly and
unharmed, brushing the dirt and dus'
Of conflict from his clothing as he
came.
The girl put out her hands to him
Speech seemed difficult.
"Oh," she whispered, lit was brave
'That's all right" murmured Billy
confusedly. 'Don't-don't bother about
it." His eyes shone with the Joyful
light of triumph.
you'll let me go with you now
he pleaded, and the girl seemed to un-
derstand
'That was pretty satisfactory in-
PRODUCTION she said.
So ON down the glorified path he
walked at her side and then. as the;T
train had not yet arrived. farther on,
past the sunset woods. Every moment
added to Billy's assurance. This wls
the girl, the one true. only girl. And
when they were later settled in tie
second car she looked up gratefully.
"How fortunate" she said. that you
happened to come my way. Il is fol
the shooting. l suppose. They do
good deal of that up there in the fall
eyes" murmured Billy vaguely. the
shooting And-you?'
She smiled her Incompatible smile.
I'm to spend week or two sketch
ing the autumn woods said Billy. 1T
is considered good practice for an art
student
She leaned forward eagerly.
Now. would it not be strange il
you were going to stop at Mrs. Par
sons too? Most people do go there.
The hotel is so poor"
"Mrs. Parsons" Billy assured her.
"is the very place l intend to honor
with my presence during the coming
two weeks" Regretfully he left hei
at the wide entrance to Mrs. Parsons
boarding house.
Il will just stop to make my az
rangements," he explained. land come
back tomorrow"
He smiled at her ruefully.
'It's long. long way to-tomorrow."
he said
Whistling his happiness down the
ragged village street. Billy Towne en-
tered the station.
"Say," he asked an amazed agent.
whats the name of this town.
woodbridge"
"Oh! All right. Well. give me
ticket back to Sherman"
Return questioned the agent.
Billy laughed "You just bet your
life," he replied.
Alone through the fields he saunter-
ed back to the trolley, a smile of hap
py Renaissance fixed upon his face.
Just here she had stood like star
tied, appealing child, and there the
dog.
Billy paused in his recollections to
give low whistle, and from distant
house came clumsily numbering great
bulldog. A moment the beast hest
tated its legs doubled for a spring.
its body shaking with low growing
breaths. then it leaped straight into
Billy's arms. Frantically the lathery
tongue sought to caress him.
"Here. Kelly" he demonstrated. ''cut
that out"
Lovingly Kelly gazed through his
bloodshot eyes
"Is that you. Billy Towne?" called
an approaching figure. Sure. Kelly
never forgets his friends"
"The poor old boys asthma seems
worse" said Billy. Doing anythin-
for it,"
Cant" answered the man. Saw
you go through here this afternoon.
Scared yoVr lady friend pretty bad.