Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-26

with me this evening, II he can man.
age IT,"
For IN hour they discussed various
subjects; then Billy, declaring the
siesta was almost over and the shops
reopening ms a consequence, an
nounced his intention Of doing his
shopping. said goodbye to Dolores and
Webster, and lugubriously departed
on the business In hand
"Why are you In such hurry, Mr..
Webster?" Dolores demanded. "You
haven't been In Blenayentura six
hours until you've managed to make
me perfectly miserable"
am terribly sorry. / didn't mean
to-"
Didn't you know Billy Geary Is my
personal property"
"No, bur | suspected he might be.
Bits generous that way. He never
hesitates to give himself to charm
ing woman"
"Thls was a case Of mutual self
defense. Billy hasn't any STANDING 80
cially, you know. When old Mrs. Geh-
eral Maldonado lectured me (the
dear, aristocratic soul conceived II to
be her duty on the improperly of
appearing on the Malecon with Billy
and my guardian, who happens to be
Billy's landlady, | tried to explain our
American brand Of democracy, but
failed. So | haven't been invited any.
where since, and life would have been
very dull without Billy. He has been
dear-and you have taken him
away"
Webster laughed. well, be pa.
tent, Miss Ruey, and I'll give him
back to you with considerable more
money than he will require for your
joint comfort. Billy in financial dis
tress is joy forever, but Billy in a
top hat and frock coat on the sunny
side Of Easy street will be absolutely
irresistible"
Hes darling. Ever since my ar
rival he has dedicated his life to keep
ing me amused" She rose. "Desplte
your wickedness, Mr.. Webster am
going to be good TO you. Billy and
always have five o'clock tea here In
the veranda. Would you care to come
to my tea-partyT"
Nothing could give me greater
pleasure" he assured her.
She nodded brightly to him. "I'm
going to run up to my room and put
some powder on my nose.' she ex-
planned
But you'll return before five
oclock?" Webster was amazed to hear
himself plead.
"You do not deserve such considera-
ton, but I'll come back in about
twenty minutes" she answered and
left him.
AS Webster viewed the situation, his
decision to see as little as possible of
Dolores during his brief stay In
Sobrante was q wise one. The less he
saw of her Che told himself), the bet
ter for his peace Of mind, for he was
forty years old, and he had never
loved before. For him this fever that
burned In his blood, this delicious
agony that throbbed In his heart-and
all on the very ghost of provocation-
were so many danger-signals, heralds
Of that grand passion which, coming
to man of forty, generally lasts him
the remainder of his natural exis-
tence.
Webster was forced to admit he was
afraid of himself. His was the rapidly
disappearing code Of the old unfetter-
ed West, that man shall never be-
tray his friend In thought, word, or
deed. To John Stuart Webster any
crime against friendship was the most
heinous In all the calendar Of human
frailty; even to dream Of slipping into
Billy's shoes now would be monstrous
yet Webster knew he could not afford
a test Of strength between his ancient
friendship for Billy and the masculine
desire for a perfect mate. Remained
then but one course:
~ must run like roadrunner,"
was the way Webster expressed it.