The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-02-15
CHAPTER XIl.-Continued.

ST1AF < n Nft.-SOItlHuCO.
-
Billy Louises faith had compromised
definitely with her doubts of him
Guilty or innocent, she would be hi
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 tC
her doubts.
Billy Louise. had a wise little brain
for all she idealized life and her sur
rOundings out Of all proportion to real
ity. She told herself that If she mar
ried Ward with her doubts alive her
misery would be far greater than if
she gave him up, except as a friend.
OF course her 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.
If he were a rustler she would shield
him and save him, if that were posi-
BILE. He would love her always-Billy
Louise could not conceive of Ward
transferring his affections to another
less exacting woman-and he would
lie grateful for her friendship. She
could build long, lovely scenes where
friendliness was put to the front brave
ly, while love hid behind the mask and
only peeped out through the eyes now
and then. She did not of course, plan
all this in sober reason: she just
dreamed it with her eyes open.
Some one came upon the doorstep
and stood there for a moment, stamp
ing snow off his feet. Billy Louise
caught her breath and waited. her eyes
yelled with her lashes and shining eX
pectantly. A little color came into her
cheeks. Ward had been delayed some
how. but he was coming now because
she needed him and he wanted her
1t was only John Pringle. heavy bod |
led. heavy minded. who came in and |
sQueaked the door shut behind him |
Billy Louise gave him a glance and |
dropped her head back on the red |
ca ashton. Hello. Johnr she greeted |
f.'nelessly.
John grinned, embarrassed between |
his pleasure at seeing Billy Louise and |
Ais pity for her trouble. His white
teeth showed little under his scraggy. |
breath-frosted mustache.
Hello, You got back. hey? She's
purity cold again. Seems like it's goin'
storm some more" He pulled off his
mittens and tugged at the ice dangling
at the corners of his lips. You come
on stage, hey? / bet you freeze" He
went over and stood with his back to
the fire. his leathery brown hands
elasped behind him, his face still I'M
decided as to the most suitable emotion
to reveal. "Well, how you like town,
hey? Ne good. guess. You got plen-
ty trouble now. Phoebe and me. we
stick by you long as you want us to-"
II know you will, john" Billy
Louise bit her lips against sudden
impulse to tears. 1t was not Ward.
but the crude sympathy of this old
halfbreed was more to her than all
The expensive flowers that had been
stacked upor. mommie's coffin.
She picked up the two letters she
had written Ward, brushed off the dust
and eyed them hesitatingly. 1t GER
tainly was queer that Ward had not
ridden down for some word from her. {
She hesitated, then threw the thin let /
er into the fire. It's message was no i
onger of urgent, poignant need. Billy $
louise drew a long breath when the e
;rief laden lines crumbled quickly and
vent flying up the wide throat of the &
The other letter she pinched Il
'etween her thumbs and fingers She h
miled little to herself. Ward would a
ike to get that. She had swift vision t.
f him standing over there by the win is
ow and reading it with those swift. n
huttling glances. She remembered /
ow she had begun it-"Brave Bucka- B
oO'-and her cheeks turned pink. He a
hOuld have it when he came. Some
hing had kept him away. He would fl
ONE just as soon as he could. She Il
lid the letter back upon the mantel Sc
nd set china cow on it to keep it m
@iS thcic. Aneu sic tuiucu UllSHtiy VI
nd began to set the table for Phoebe sc
nd John and herself and came near re
,tting a fourth place for Ward, she be
as so sure he would come as soon as kr
, could. Mommie used to say that qu
you set place for a person that
erson would come and eat with you til
spirit if not in reality. en-
Phoebe glanced at her pityingly when af
re saw her hesitating with the fourth hi!
ate in her hands. Phoebe thought all
lat Billy Louise had unconsciously rio
ought it for mommie. Phoebe did
't know that love is stronger even fro
AN grief, for at that moment Billy pu
ouise was not thinking Of mommie an
all. rel