The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-06-12

By HOPE AlNsLlE.

on each other. We both went to the
same church and the academy, and l
suppose / did write letters to her, and
so on when / was seventeen or
around there. Mother likes her and
she's always said I'd marry Betty.
Last year went after that concession
and met Mrs. Leonard. She loaned
her collection of Chinese porcelains
to the exhibit and give you my word,
Uncle Ted, from the instant we looked
at each other | didn't give rap
whether | ever saw Betty or any 9th
er woman as long as lived"
Good locker, Jack2'
She's just divine" Jack spoke fer
vently, reverently. shes been a wild
ow for four years; married at nineteen
to a brute"
"All good-looking widows husbands
were brutes," murmured the major
Go on"
That's all. l told her | loved her
and she was giving me at least a
chance until mother came out to Fris-
co and queered the whole thing. She
met Mrs. Leonard at Aunt Annals, and
told her ! was an impressionable boy,
a perfect slave to sympathy and all
that rot, always used to being petted,
etc. Finally showed her Bettys pic
ture as the little girl sweetheart back
East waiting for me to get through
my travels. You know the way she
can put a thing over with that tone
of her voice and her eyes. Well, |
didn't have a chance after she had
left. Dolores left for Santa Barbara
the next day"
"Humph," unused the major. Nov
she comes here. Did she know you
were with me at the Springs?"
mo, sir. We haven't written"
"Well, don't blame you, mind,
Jackie. She's a wonderfully attractive
woman. And you're twenty-six, you
know, old enough to toddle without
the maternal apron strings. l should
say, Lucia is a fine woman, good sis
ter to me, but still-what's this Betty
like?"
"oh, she's all right" said Jack
vaguely.
There goes the widow" said the
major, suddenly leaning forward.
Cad, she can ride!"
Jack vaulted the veranda rail and
made for the mounting stone to meet
the chestnut mare as she galloped up
the shore road. His voice was bit
husky when he spoke to Mrs. Leonard,
slim and erect in her black habit, her
hair wind-blown around her face, her
eyes dark and evasive as he leaned
toward her.
Don't go in yet" he begged as the
boy took the bride. 81 must speak
to you. You've avoided me ever since
you found was here. Dolores"
Hush, Jack. Someone will hear
you, you foolish boy"
Don't call me a boy" he swung
back miserably. I'm not. Come
along the pine road just little way.
You wouldn't speak to me hardly at
lunch. | know you were sorry even
to see me here"
"Oh, no, l was not. 1t was a pleas
ant surprise, really 1t was, Jack"
"A pleasant surprise. 1t made me
perfectly mad to see you again"
The train service to Santa Bar
bara is quite regular" she said de-
murely.
you wouldn't have seen me. You
left without a word. You believed ev-
cry last thing mother told you about
me and Betty"
did II"
you cared, didn't you? Even though
you went away. Never mind Betty. l
haven't thought of anyone in the
world but you for the last six months.
Uncle Ted took me under his wing and
brought me South because l wasn't
fit for anything else"
She smiled, leaning forward as he
crushed her hands in his, and quoted
softly under her breath
had not dreamt that love would stay,
Yet here he fingers many day
Don't go away from me again, Do
lores. swear I'll follow you this time
to the ends of the world"
She laughed, her eyes brimful OF
tenderness.
"Oh, Jack, Jack, why didn't you fol-
low me then II you really cared"
The major came leisurely toward
them, the late afternoon mail in his
hands.
by George, Jack boy, here's news.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Leonard. Betty
Roberts eloped with Batcheller Phil
lips Saturday"
Il know Betty" said Dolores gently.
I'VE are distant cousins, but she
writes to me-"
Yes? Writes to Jack, too, 1 should
say. Here's one with return line on
It, Mrs. Batcheller Phillips, Wash
ington, d. c., Hotel Grosvenor.' Break
the news to US, Jackie"
Jack opened the letter with a frown,
aud then smiled. He handed It to Do
lores. 1t was typically Betty.
Dear Jack: / know what everybody'n
say, and don't care. I've always liked
Batty and I'D like to know why i can't
marry him II want to. SO we're clipping.
I'm just as sick and tired as you are or
forever being hurled az your head. I've
written Dolores-she's my cousin. wish
you all kinds OF luck. Happily,
Jacks shoulders unconsciously
Strengthened. He turned resolutely TO
the major.
uncle, Ted, I'd like to have you
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