New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-05-03

at last, pushing the Spectacles up on
her lined forehead, you read it, Billy
Louise, N see what yuh think"
Il think it's all right, Marthy," said
Billy Louise, after she had read the
document twice. IT'S IL bill Of sale
and il also wipes the slate clean of any
possible think Mr.. Sedbeck is very
%c-clever."
Whereupon Marthy signed the note,
with IL spIuttering of the abused pen in
her Stiffcned old fingers and n great
twisting of her grim mouth as she
formed the capitals. Then Billy Louise
wrote her naIne with n fine, schoolgirl
ease and II little curl on the end of the
last d. Seabeck took the paper from
the tips of Billy Louise's supercilious
fingers, returned with it to the desk
for a blotter, hunted an envelope,
folded the note carefully, and laid it
away inside.
81 believe that Is all, Mrs. Meilke. l
hope you will suffer no further uneasi-
ness on account of your-nephew."
I'm liable t suffer some gittin' that
five hundred dollars paid up" Marthy
returned with sorne acerbity. I'm
much obleeged to yuh, Mr.. Seabeck,
fer bein' so easy on us. If yuh hadn't
drug Billy Louise into it. I'd say yer
too good to be human"
"Hmnm-mm-nOt ut ALL" Senbeck
stamlnered deprecatingly and left the
room with what haste his natural dig
nifty would permit.
That ended the Seabeck part of the
whole sordid affair, except that he re-
manned for another hour, doing chores
and making everything snug for the
night. Also he filled the kitchen wood
box as high rs he could pile the sticks
and brought water to last overnight
since Charles plan to pipe water into
the cabin had remained a beautiful
plan and nothing more. Billy Louise
thanked Seabeck, when he was ready
to go.
II know you were square. and you're
really ~big-SOuled, too. I'll remember 1t
always. Mr.. Seabeck."
will your" Seabeck looked down
at her, with his hand upon the latch.
Even if you are put in n position
where you must pay that note-yOu
will still-Hm-mm see. Before l
go, Miss Macdonald. | should like your
permission to send man down here to
look after things"
mo. you mustn't" Billy Louise
spoke with prompt decision. "Marthy
might think you were-yOu see, it
wouldn't do. I'll see about getting a
man. If you will take this note up and
leave it in the mallbox for me, John
Pringle will come up tomorrow. Well
manage all right"
"You're quite right. But. Miss Mac
Donald, there Is something else. Ter
should like to give you a little-wed-
ding gift, since you honOred me with
the news Of your apprOaching-mm-m
marriage. AS an old neighbOr, and
one of your most sincere admirers. who
would feel greatly honored by your
friendship, I-should like to have you
accept this" He held something out
to Billy Louise and pulled open the
'pbl W. iiNluilt VSNupV. Noou night,
Miss Macdonald. think 1t will
Then he was gone, hurrying
down the narrow path with long
strides, his tall figure bent to the wind,
his coat tapping around his lean legs.
Billy Louise closed the door and her
mouth and let down her
lifted cyelids. Standing with her back
against the wall. she turned that ONE
fhing-an envelope-Over twice, then
off the end and pulled out the
contents. 1t was the note she and Mar
by had signed no longer than m hour
lgo. and written large across the face
VI II were the words: "Paid, Samuel
Seabeck."
Notwithstanding" said Billy Lou
under her breath and went straight
n to show it to Marthy.