Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-08-01

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happy" she stammered.
And want to he happy" the man
answered impatiently. ~ do not agree
with You that my life has been lived
Billy's father smiled strangely win.
ming, pathetic sort of smile. "The
past has been none too happy" he
said. Il am hoping that the best is
yet to come. So make no false prom
ises. You may tell my son that from
me, little intercessor."
She looked back, vaguely troubled,
as he babe her good afternoon at the
elevator door. Later, as Billy drove
her home through the park, they came
upon the big Powers auto, stationary,
near wide sweep of meadow. Billy's
father was In the front seat, and be
side him the pretty stenographer. Bess
glanced up sharply at Billys mutter-
ed ejaculation, and she fanced the
trace of a smile as his fathers eyes
met hers.
Darn the luck" cried the boy de-
jectedly, "if you couldn't make him
see the folly of this thing, Peaches,
somebody's got to talk to the girl"
81 don't" she told him.
"All right" answered Billy deter
minedly, then / win"
BesS came upon the two not long
after that in her favorite tea room.
Bllly's father was talking earnestly,
rapidly, while the girl listened silent
ly attentive. Bess seemed to imme.
dlately lose her appetite for luncheon
lit was all so hopeless for Billy.
And presently, when the little stenog-
rapher had smilingly left him, Mr..
Powers came over to her table.
well" he asked pleasantly, "how
are affairs and Billy?' And when
he offered to drive her home Bess de-
cided to accept, and taking advantage
of the time, to make a final plea. But
Billy's father proved such an agree
able companion that she abandoned
her plan on the way, and gave her
self up to the enjoyment of the hour.
After all it was hard that man so
congenial and kind must spend his
days alone in n great vacant house.
OF course there would be Billy, and
later, Billy's wife, but the more Bess
thought about it--well, strange to say,
the more her heart ached for the fa-
Their.
Billy, too, grew morbid - dis
traught. She couldn't quite make him
out. For hours he would sit pull
ing away on that ill-smelllng pipe, only
to jump up suddenly and rush away.
She supposed he was realizing the dis
enlargement of the situation. Often
err, and still oftener she met Billy's
father in company with the blonde
siren. And then he would leave the
girl to come over and speak to Bess,
a pleased light seemed to linger in his
eyes Then, one never-to-be-forgotten
night came Billy's voice over the tele-
phone wire, and when he had finished
speaking, Bess ST there dazed and
twisted smile at the heartless selfish
ness of him.
"Bess," he said, "you take the mes
sage to father"
She, of all people, to take the mes
sage-but she went. The maid had
sent her in to the big fire-lighted room
unannounced. So, for quite G time
BIlly's father did not hear her; he
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there was in his eyes the Eight of
dreams" Though she could not see
the pictured face, Bess discerned the
outline of a girlish figure, and she
trembled at the pain she must In
flct.
"Mr. Powers" she said at last. In
an instant he was on his feet.
"Youl" he murmured unbeliev-
ingly.
1--WE a message" Bess began breath
lessly, "a message that will hurt. It's
from Billy" The man waited.
"Yes?" he said.
"Bllly Is married She rushed on:
"He was married tonight to the stenog-
rapher-your stenographer. 1t seems
she tells him she has never loved you
and she has learned to love him. SO
1t was her suggestion, not his, that
they marry quickly, and tell you after
ward" Bessie's voice broke. "Ohl
Pm so sorry for you" she said,
"sorry"
Billy's father spoke up very quick
". at was foolish of Billy, of course"
he said, 'but why should you be sorry
for me7"
Bessie's eyes widened. Because
YOU loved her." said the girl, at was
she whom Billy feared you would
marry"
The man stood looking down upon
her. 81 think I'll explain to you" he
said, "what | never troubled to ex-
plain to Billy. I am writing a book.
The stenographer took my dictation.
Sometimes it was absolutely neces-
sary for me to get away to the soll-
tudes from every creature, in order to
think. She went with me, and wrote.
That's all. AS for love and marriage
/ never had a thought until" he
smiled his tender quizzical smile-"un-
til you came into my office that day
TO interfere"
There was a moment Of vibrant ST.
Yorno than Pace rofrtad m the pho-