The Press., 1918-08-08

the chair of Uncle Johnny Peyton came down on its front legs with thud, and the old man said, addressing no one In particular:
 "'Pears like Billy's mighty low in his mind. He's in a heap of trouble I'm thinking"
 What sort of trouble, Uncle JOhnr girl asked casually, as she came through the door of the post office and general store.
 Now, Miss May, y'know he's listed an don't know what1l becom O his IeedIe gal. He's feared he'll have to 20 fore he kin place her"
 "I had not heard; but things right themselves in time, and this will be strengthened out"
 Maybe, Miss May, maybe. But y know Billy's got no one, leastwise down hyar. There's an old aunt In IOway. an guess he's writ to her, but haint seen fit to answer, so l reckin she's dead. Course, we-alls I'll lux arf- ter her, but he's rig her diffrunt. She's a pretty leedle gal.
 Billy don't b'long hyar, y'know. He jest come. Something the matter with him. Never hearn tell of his. wife. Jest came with thot gal an she was baby. Hired thOt cabin up wonder an didn' make fren's till the fever tux we-alls, then he come down an tux kyar of Jim," nodding toward a noun taineer sitting on the steps, 'then he tuk hold O me. Reckln we'd both be kv, Ra nrA hn Aub
 "So he made friends, after all," said the girl. "I think the child will be taken care of, Uncle Johnny"
 Sure. But thOt's not the pint, Miss May. She's rig diffrunt." His voice took on a wheedling tone. "I jest wonder If you couldn't think up some way to help Billy? He sartinly needs itT
 'That would be unwarrantable in- terference, Uncle Johnny. l scarcely know Mir. Warren"
 Don't take no stock in sich talk, |" said Uncle Johnny, reaching for his twist of tobacco and cutting Off a piece of gOOdly size. When 1t comes to doin' things, an thinkin' up things Miss May, you're right smart. You didn' know we-uns when you come to trained to eat from your hand-al- most"
 She threw back her head and laughed heartily. "'AlmOst' is we'll put, Uncle Johnny; but do not see how can help you in this"
 "'Twon't hurt to think erbout 1t, anyhow, an p'haps you'll see light" was his concluding comment, as. with a glance toward the faintly outlined path she turned from the group and walked away.
 She had been in the mountain three yeArs-Rt first for her health, then be- | cause it claimed her. She had heard all about Billy Warren, had occasion ally met him, but save for the merest courtesy no word had passed between them. For some reason he had not impressed her pleasantly. This was | probably due to the fact that he had made no effort to know better one who had made friends with all the noun tain people
 But the talk of old John PeytOn, or some subcOnscious sense of trouble in the man himself as he stood silently beside her that morning, waiting for his mail, influenced her in the direc- tiOn of her walk that afternoon. Yet she was not aware that she had been so influenced until she found herself watching a child dabbling bare feet in the rushing water of a tiny stream the while she hushed a cOrncOb doll to sleep.
 There was no fear In the child's eyes as she raised them to the woman beside her. Instead there was a whls- pered hush; you'll wake her. She's been real sick and Is just going to sleep"
 Mary Hilton dropped upon the ground, and in an equally low voice asked what was wrong.
 "Daddy's says it's a case of humps or measles. he's. not sure which but she's been so awfuly cross and has tired me so. he says there Is no living with either of us."
 Betty. to whom are you talking r The voice came from the shadow Oi the cabin.
 "A pretty lady. honey7"
 Don't tell me fairy tales, child pretty ladies don't climb the noun tain"
 'She looks real, daddy. Shall l pinch her and find out2"
 T wouldn't I'll come and find out for myself. There was a rustic of leaves, and Mary Hilton raised her eyes to Billy Warren's face.
 She did not move, and the child, with steadily advancing fingers. again asked: Shall I pinch her, daddy"
 He did not reply. Instead he drew his hand across his eyes as If un- certain as to the reality. When he did speak his voice was sadly unsteady.
 Thank God! Hereafter I shall al- ways believe in prayer" Mary looked at him thOughtfully. You have been praying. and I am an answer to your prayer1 In what way, espeeIallyY
 You have come" ..
 You wanted mel" .......
 "Yes."
 'Then why did you not come to mer'
 T want help. could not ask for 1t unless as a last resort. Offered, 1t is different"
 "And you think will offer it7"
 Judging from your goodness to the