Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-07-05
CHAPTER xlI.-continued.

CHAPTER xlI.-continued.
-
Billy Louise's faith had compromised
definitely with her doubts OF him.
Guilty or innocent, she would be his
friend always That was the condition
her faith had laid down challengingly
before her doubts. But unless he were
innocent and proved it to her she
would never marry him, no matter
how much she loved him. That was
the concession her faith had made to
her doubts.
Billy Lcuise bad a wise little brain
for all she idealized life and her sur
roundings out OF all proportion to real
ity. She told herself that II she mar.
ried Ward with her doubts alive her
misery would be far greater than II
she gave HIM up. except as friend
or course ber ideals stepped in there
with an impracticable compromise
She brought back the Ward Warren OF
her pretend life. She dreamed OF
him as a mutely adoring friend who
stood and worshiped her from afar
and because OF his sins could not cross
the line OF friendship.
II he were a rustler she would shield
him and save him, II that were possl
BILE. He would love her always-Billy
Louise could not conceive of Ward
transferring his affections to another
less exacting woman-and he would
be grateful for her friendship. She
could build long. lovely scenes where
friendliness was put to the front brave
", while love hid behind the mask and
only peeped out through the eyes now
and then. She did not, of course. plar
all this In sober reason; she Just
Dreamed II with her eyes open.
Some one came upon the Doorstep
and stood there for a moment. stamp
ing snow or his feet. Billy Louise
caught her breath and waited. her eyes
veiled with her lashes and shining ex
pectantly. A little color came into hel
cheeks. Ward had been delayed some
how. but he was coming now because
she needed him and be wanted her
II was only John Pringle, heavy bod
led. heavy minded, who came In ant
sQueaked the door shut behind him
Billy Louise gave him glance ant
dropped her head back on the rec
cushion. "Hello. JohnF she greete,
tonelessly.
John grinned. embarrassed betweel
his pleasure at seeing Billy Louise an,
hls pity for her trouble. His whit
teeth showed little under his scraggy
breath-frosted mustache.
"Hellol You got back, hey2 She
purity cold again. seems like it's goin
storm some more" He pulled of hi
mittens and tugged at the ice danglint
at the corners Of his lips. "You com
on stage. hey7 bet you freeze" II
went over and stood with his back Z
the fire. his leathery brown hand
clasped behind him. his face still IN
decided as 20 the most suitable emotion
to reveal "well, how you like town
hey7 No good, guess. You got pler
~ trouble now. Phoebe and me, w
stick by you long as you want us to-"
"I know you viii. John" Bill
Louise bit her lips against a sudde
impulse to tears 1t was not Ware
but the crude sympathy Of this oil
halfbreed was more to her than a
the expensive flowers that had bee
stncked upon momme's coffin.
She picked up the two letters sh
had written Ward, brushed Off the dus
and eyed them hesitatingly. 1t Gel
tainIy was queer that Ward had nc
ridden down for some word from he
She hesitated. then threw the thin le
ter into the ire Its message was n
longer OF urgent, poignant need. Bill
Louise drew a long breath when I'll
grief laden lines crumbled quickly an
went flying up the wide throat Of tn
chimney. The other letter she pinche
between her thumbs and fingers Sh
smiled a little to herself. Ward woul
like TO get that. She had swift visio
OF him standing over there by the VIII
dow and reading It with those swif
shutting glances. She remembers
how she had begun it-"Brave Bucki
r0ov-and ner cheeks turned pink. n
should have It when he came. Som
thing had kept him away. He woul
come just as soon as he could. 81
laid the letter back upon the mant
and set china COW ON II to keep
safe there. Then she turned bright
and began 10 set the table for Pnoet
and John and herself and came nei
setting a fourth place for Ward, 81
was so sure he would come as soon
he could. Mommie used to say thi
n You set a place for a person tn
person would come and eat with W
in spirit n not In reality.
Phoebe glanced at her pityingly VIII,
she saw her hesitating with the four
plate In her hands. Phoebe thong
that Billy Louise had unconscious
brought II for mommie. Phoebe
not know that love is stronger evl
than grief, for at that moment BIZ
Louise was not thinking Of momin
nt all.