The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-07-13

ders gaze was entirely 1mpeSSonai.
Silently she accepted and read his
ticket; then "Ohl'' she breathed.
Vaguely troubled. he glanced down at
the golden head. Surprise, disappoint-
ment-what was 1t that showed for a
moment in the eyes appraised to his?
"This way" she said, and Billy fol-
lowed her down the aisle. But ut the
choice seat designated the stout over
seeing usher reappeared.
Must be some mistake" she argued
loudly. "Ihis section reserved for ush.
ers and their husbands only. Let me
see your ticket" Billy was about to
apologize and withdraw-other fortu-
nate possesSors of nearby seats inter
estedly watched the outcome-when his
directors voice sounded distinctly.
Its all right, Mrs. Sayles,' she said.
"The ticket reads, Mr.. and Mrs. Jack
Maynard Mrs. Maynard Is not here
this evening. but she ushered AZ this
afternoons meeting"
Before Billy could collect his senses,
before he could deny to the one girl In
all the world this fatal imputation, tho
two white clad women, whispering,
moved away together. Aud to this end
had his scheming led him. The girl
whose love he crayed was now, through
q senseless mistake, removed from him
forever Henceforth he was in her
eyes but the welded husband Of GER
tain Mrs. Jack Maynard Why hadn't
he glanced at the COMPOUNDED ticket In
stead Of rushing with It like fool?
Despairingly Billy looked about, after
the Grafton, II here he might st,ll find
one friend, perhaps also of her &C
quaintance, but all we're strangers, not
one familiar face Broodingly he made
bis way to the door, Out In the vesti
bule he fingered to throw on his coat,
and presently from merry, ,chattering
throng she made her way TO him.
The wonder Of her sudden presence
there at his side, the smile that was
Enthusiastically for him, held him for
the moment speechless.
Il hope the evening has been pleas
ant one" she said and held out her
hand. Billy saw that the hand was
extending to him a small white enve-
lope and took It Then his dream
abruptly ended.
"A ticket for the mothers meeting
tomorrow, Mr. Maynard" she said
please give 1t 10 your wife,
Before his denying lips could even
form q reply she had vanished. 1t was
decidedly grouchy Billy Thornton
whom his tall friend found In the office
the next day.
Enjoy the uplift meetingY' Braydon
casually inquired.
THE deucer answered Billy.
"As to that Miss Wilder" the friend
went on Happen to know people
who In turn know her. Take you over
to meet her II you Hike"
Billy's Crouch evaporated. To
night?' he asked crfspiy. .,.-.fs.
-Fonight" replied Braydon.
Bully banged down the cover OF his
desk In spirit Of joyful anticipation.
In teH minutes he would explain all
to her. And after that-well, Il b
didn't win out in the old ganis of l6Fe
It would hot be BECAUSE with all his
heart and soul he had not tried. He
wished that Braydon would refrain
from entering into that old business
problem ON the way to the bouse where
be was to meet her. He wanted to go
over In bis mind the things that he
would say. 4 s-'-zs.4-is,.,,a,l,
Before he realized It they were IN the
brilliantly lighted reception room and
he was bowling before a sweet faced
woman presented as Mrs. Jack May
nard, who Immediately, taking Billy In
charge, led him TO girlish figure Of
| the farther end of the room.
Miss Wilder" she announced rather
absentfy and hurried back to bis friend,
The zone girl smiled up at him.
eve are not quite strangers" she
said, -but l. am afraid yon forgot tf
give the ticket to Mrs. Maynard She
was absent, noticed, from the after
noon meeting, and you
Miss Wilder" jt was the interrupt
ing voice OF Bray don-"come here jusi
a moment, please, TO settle dispute"
Billy sasageiy ground his heed on thu
rug as others came to claim the girls
attention, keeping her from him Wher
was this silly affair to be Strengthened
Where was the real Jack Maynard
| Unfortunately the evening dragget
and no opportunity for atfurtber wore
with the girl Of hts dreams In he
eyes he was now no doubt just the un
interesting husband Of her hostess
while In his eyes-Billy rapturonsly
caught his breath as he looked at her
she grew each moment fatrer.
In sudden dissemination he crossef
to where. she sat before the piano.
II want To talk TO yoo,' he said.
The girls fingers rested upon tn
keys. Half turning, she looked up a
him.
-I-rm not Jack Maynard" Bin.
Biurted out desperately, -and I'm no
married II was confounded-I be-
your pardon only borrowed ticket.
The laughing challenge Of her eye
gnve him sudden courage. Il hav'
wanted-no, that's not the word
have desired Above al things 70
months to meet yvu,r be went ON, the
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