Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-04-29
CHAPTER XIII.

John Stuart Websters agile brain
was the repository of many conflict
ing emotions as he bathed, shaved,
and changed from his soiled khaki
field clothes to a suit of ducks before
presenting himself before Dolores.
Had Billy's courage fOrsaken him
at the last minute, with the result
that he had gone back to the United
States without having settled the
question Of Dolores future? Had he
proposed and been rejected, or had
he proposed been accepted, and had
his plans for an immediate marriage
vetoed by Dolores?
In either event, VII had Billy
failed to leave a note for him at the
Hotel Mateo, or mailed him letter
to the GlobO de Orc at San Miguel de
Padua, advising him of the change in
the plan Of action outlined for him by
Webster?
In the simplicity Of his single-heart-
ed devotion Webster was puzzled to
understand how any woman in her
right mind could fail to fall In love
with Billy Geary A man he was, from
heels to hair, and a man with pros
poets far above the average. To Web
sters way of thinking, the girl who
married Billy might well count her
self fortunate.
Dolores greeted him with unaffected
pleasure. "WelI, Caiph!" she said.
Just that. 1t made Webster sensible
of feeling Of having returned to her
after an absence of several years
'Tm so glad to see you, Miss Ruey,"
he replied, and added boldly par
tcularly since l didn't expect to-"
She knew what her reply would lead
to; nevertheless, with that dissimula-
ton which can only be practced in
perfection by clever and beautiful
woman she answered with equal bold
ness: Indeed! Pray why?'
"Well, for a pretty good reason,
think. A few weeks ago, after exam
ming Bits concession very thorough
~, I told him he was a potential mil
lionalre Now, while 1 disclaim any
appearance Of braggadOciO, when John
Stuart Webster, E. NJ, makes any
mine owner a report like that, he is
apt to be taken very seriously. And
having made Bill a potential million
alre and arranged to give him three
or four months vacation back home,
had a notion he'd present to you
very valid reason why you should ac-
company him."
You are very frank Callph."
That's because I'm curious. He had
a certain dream, and told me about 1t,
and did my little best to make 1t
come true"
81 think l understand, Caliph. 1t
would be very difficult, | think, for
anybody to meet Billy without being
attracted toward him. He's one Of
the dearest, most lovable boys in the
wOrld-and he did do me the signal
honor of asking me to marry him. So
therew
"Well. and why didn't your"
She smiled at his blunt insistence
on forcing the issue. For a number
OF excellent reasons, Callph. In the
first place, he wanted me to marry
him immediately-and l wasn't ready
to leave SObrante, while Billy was.
Indeed, 1t was highly necessary that
he should leave Immediately, for the
sake of his health, and l had Billy's
interest at heart sufficiently to insist
upon it. You seem to forget that
when a girl marries she must make
some preparation for the event, and
if she has any close relatives, such as
a brother, for instance, she likes to
have that relative present at the cere-
mony. You will recall, Caliph, that
I have a brother and that you have
promised to introduce me to him very
shortly"
by Judas, never thought of that,
Miss Ruey," the repentant Webster
answered. ''In fact, wasn't think
ing of anybody's interest in this mat
ter but Blll's."
mot even of mine, CallphT" re-
prOachfully.
''That goes without saying. Could
have done anything nicer for you than
fix 1t for Bill so he would be in posi-
ton to marry you? Here you are,
practically alone In the wond-at