The Tomahawk., 1918-07-11

.and you are my sons mediator7 Can
It be possible, then, that you are also
Interested In Billy's career7''
The hot blood rushed furiously to
the girls face. as she sat beneath his
searching gaze. II want Billy to be
happy she stammered. IT. +. :, ..
Z ..And I want to be happy" the man
answered impatiently. II do not agree
with you that my life has been lived"
Biliy's father smiled strangely win.
ming, pathetic sort Of smile. .'The
past has been, none too happy" he
said. II am hoping that the best is
yet to come. So I make no false prom
ises. You may tell my son that from
me, little intercessor." s<.ss -.
She looked back. vaguely troubled,
as he bade 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 q wide sweep of meadow. Biny's
father was in the front seat, and be-
side him the pretty stenographer. Bess
glanced up sharply at Billy's mutter-
ed ejaculation, and she fancfed the
trace OF q smile as his fathers eyes
met hers. 8. s... $ss,s@.
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. p.
"All right" answered Billy deter
minedly, "then i will" i
Bess came upon the two not long
after that In her favorite tea room.
Billy's father was talking earnestly,
rapidly, while the girl listened silent.
" attentive. Bess seemed to imme.
diately lose her appetite for luncheon
1T was all 80 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. 1how
are affairs and Billyf' And when
he offered to drive her home Bess de-
cided to accept, and taking advantage
Of the time, to make 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 80
congenial and kind must spend his
days alone In q 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 IA.
ther.\ ..->., 49, . .. =.
Billy, too, grew morbid - dis
traught. She couldn't quite make him
out. For hours he would sit pull
ing away on that ill-smelling pipe, only
to jump up suddenly and rush away.
She supposed he was realizing the dis
-couragement of the situation. Often
er, and still oftener she met Bnly's
father In company with the blonde
siren. And then he would leave the
girl to come over and speak to Bess,
q pleased light seemed to linger in his
eyes, Then, one never-t0- be forgotten
night came Billy's voice over the tele-
phone wire, and when he had finished
speaking, Bess sat there dazed and
white. She smiled presently, queer
twisted smile at the heartless selfish
ness Of him. lss, Il
'.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 q time
Billy's father did not hear her: he
bent absorbed over photograph, and
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
flict. - za=.7 5.sIu = ,.
"Mr. Powers" she said at last. In
an instant he was on his feet. ~
"You!" he murmured rnbeliev-
ingly. a..
sTve message" Bess began breath
lesslyr "a message that will hurt. It's
from Billy" The man waited.
"YesT' he said. r "A
BILLY Is married. She rusned 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. Obi
I'm 80 sorry for you," she said.
SORRY" saE
Billy's father spoke up very quick
II. ut was foolish Of Billy, Of course"
he said, 'but why should you be sorry
for mef'
& Bessie's eyes widened. Because
you loved her." said the girl, ut was
she whom Billy feared you woulo
marry" y
The man stood looking down upon
her. II think I'll explain to, you" h0
said, ''what I never troubled to e1-
plain to Billy. I am writing . book.
The stenographer took my dictation.
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