Meade County news., 1918-04-18

"If men Billy Louise signs this note,
we'll pay it; and we want some per-
lection from you, fer Charlie"
"Hmmm-mm-I see !" He turned and
went back to the Uttered desk and
wrote carefully again upon another
sheet Of paper. II think this will be
quite satisfactory" he said, and hand
ed the paper to Marthy.
"Git my specs, Billy Louise-Off'n
the shelf over there" she said, and
read the paper laboriously, her lips
forming the letters Of every word
which contained more than one syl-
liable. Narthy, remember, was a plains
woman born and bred.
Il guess that'll do" she pronounced
at last, pushing the spectacles up on
her lined forehead. "You read 1t, Billy
Louise, n see what yuh think"
II think it's all right, Aarthy," said
Billy Louise, after she had read the
document twice. ''It's a bill of sale
and it also wipes the slate clean of any
possible / think Mr.. Seabeck is very
c-clever."
Whereupon Marthy signed the note,
with spluttering Of the abused pen in
her stiffened old fingers and a great
twisting Of her grim mouth as she
formed the capitals. Then Billy Louise
wrote her name with ine, schoolgirl
ease and little curl on the end Of the
last d. Seabeck took the paper from
the tips of Billy Louise's supercilious
fingers, returned with 1t to the desk
for a blotter, hunted an envelope,
folded the note carefully, and laid it
away inside.
Il believe that is all, Mrs. Meilke.
hope you will suffer no further uneasi-
ness on account of your-nephew."
"Tm liable t. suffer some gittln' that
five hundred dollars paid up," Marthy
returned with some acerbity. "Pm
much obleeged to yuh, Mr.. Seabeck,
fer beln' so easy on us. If yuh hadn't
drug Billy Louise into it, I'd say yer
too good to be human"
"Hmmm-mm-not at ALL" Seabeck
stammered 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-
mained for another hour, doing chores
and making everything snug for the
night. Also he filed the kitchen wood
box as high as 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.
Il know you were square, and you're
really big-souled, too. I'll remember it
always, Mr.. Seabeck."
"Will your" Seabeck looked down
at her, with his hand upon the latch.
"Even If you are put in a position
where you must pay that note-you
will still-Hm-mm 1 see. Before I
go, Miss Macdonald, I should like your
permission to send a man down here to
look after things"
"No, you mustn't" Billy Louise
spoke with prompt decision. 'rMarthy
might think you were-you see, 1t
wouldn't do. I'll see about getting q
man. If you will take this note up and
leave 1t in the mailbox 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 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
door for instant escape. "Good night,
Miss Macdonald. think 1t will
storm" 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
half-open mouth and let down her
lifted eyelids. Standing with her back
against the wall, she turned that some
thing-an envelope-over twice, then
tore off the end and pulled out the
contents. 1t was the note she and Mar
thy had signed no longer than an hour
ago, and written large across the face
of 1t were the words: "Paid; Samuel
Seabeck."
misunderstanding" said Billy Lou
ise under her breath and went straight |
in to show 1t to Marthy.
CHAPTER XVIII.