The Monticellonian., 1918-05-10

Il guess thatll do she pronounced
ut last, pushing the speetacles 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. Its 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 q 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 a fine, 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 blotter, hunted an envelope,
| folded the note carefully, and laid 1t
away inside.
II believe that is all. Mrs. Meilke. |
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" MGrthy
returned with some acerbity. Pm
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"
"Hmmm-mm-not at ALL" Seabeek
stammered deprecatingly and left the
4t-hn Iiy
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 as he could pile the sticks
and brought water to last overnight
since Charles plan to pipe water into
the cabin had remained n 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 n position
where YOU must pay that note-you
will stlll-fIm-mm see. Before |
go, Miss Macdonald, I should like your
permission to send man down here to
look after things"
mo, you mustn't" Billy Louise
spoke with prompt decision. "Marthy
/ s,,bF =
wouldn't do I'll see about getting a
man. If you will take this note up and
leave it in the mailhox for me, John
Prnele 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 appr0aehing-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 Nliti'Oilulu luAIh II W III
storm" Then he was gone, hurrylng
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 eyelds. 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 II was the note she and Mar
thy had signed no longer than an hour
ago. and written large across the face
of II were the words: Paid, Samuel
Seabeck."
"The-old-darlng! !" said Billy Lou
Use under her breath and went straight
in TO show 1t to Marthy.