The Lamar register., 1921-01-19
UPA TREE
BY JACK LAWTON.
90. 1870. western Nrn.paper I rionI

For exactly ihre" years Billy had
loved Roi"rta froiu nfar And among
his associates Billy was known. eiiher
as II baShful or different your.. But
when II girl wears upon her finger u
ring that cost mere than Il years sal
AIRY TO bp.. and when II gr. Is sur
rounded hS other admirers who might
20 on purchasing for her .'ust such
jewels. w.ll. Biilie'> d-iira ',oi. under
the circumstances WAS becoming and
sensible iel--hc loved tier; there
was the trnIhl".
And "s"bhy. the gay, The popular,
seemed mot nverse 10 uour Billic's
homage. even while she haunted di-
revtly after some f.Ivur Of comTsinion-
slip-anntheI fortunate "atfendant."
in Billir'S IA e. LESS and less. ;IS time
went on. was Billy able to understand
himself or his own behavior. For as
sure as lie started oui determlnriliy
to give the pretty Bobby Hint at
least of his feelings. that he might
judge thereby the possibility OF CON
tinuing further devotion. as certain
WAS Billy To return home despondent-
ly, in the realization that the words
had been swifchci-->n to speak--frOin
his very lips. Bobby had au innocent
way of turning conversation which
verged ON the serious into lightuess
and laughter. which the lovelorn man
construed his discouragemcnt. And
then. Billy wns allowed 81 little Of
Bobble's undivided companionship. A
third party seemed always Inadvertent-
~ or purposeiy present. IL was when
The Struthers invited Roberta for y
week 10 their farm. thar Billy CON
ceiyed the Idea Of pleading for an in.
vitafion to spend Saturday In that
same delightful spot. The Invitation
was easily obtalned through VIII
Struihers. his friend. and Roberta's
brother-in-iaw. In this pleasant prox-
Unity. Billy hoped 10 find and take his
chance. He had fnncled ncw soft
ness or shyness towar( himself late
ly. in the girls usually frank and
friendly manner. Could IL he he asked
himself balpltatingly, that Ills silent al
legiance was AT last to be rewardedi
Bur when. upon reaching the Struth-
ers' farm the following Saturday. Bill
ly found assembled there II jolly week
end party. his hopeful spirits sank.
Here again was TO lie the usual Ro-
berta a-admiring. usurping throng. With
AS good grace as possible. he entered
Into the various out-of-door games.
with Bobby always just beyond his
reach. When he retired at last for
iornly to rest his broad shoulders
against hay mound. Roberta regard
ed him pensively. out Of the corner
OF his gloomy eyes billy saw her.
Then. with thrown back inviting
smile. the girl ran straight through the
orchard Billy waited until her pink
frock had disappeared before he alert
ly hut stealthily followed. No one
must forestnlI him here. But BILLY
had reached the end Of the orchard
before lie found her. and then IL was
the threatening sound Of bull dogs
growl which showed him Roberta's
plight. THE dog. an ugly beast. stood
snaring and showing his fangs. be-
meath spreading apple tree. while
perched precariously On II high limb
sat. ur rather clung, the girl.
-. Billy," she cried. and even In
his moment OF terror he was aware
Of the sweetness OF the sound Of his
name upon her lips. IL was the first
time that The fair Roberta had called
him Billy.
What shalt we dof" she questioned
tremblingly.
With dying leap that did credit 10
his athletic college days. Billy caught
the tree limb over the astonished
brute's head. and as he crept cautious
ly on tn RobertaS side. Billy drew
sigh OF relief and pride. In The glow
Of thar pride his arm with new assur-
ance and strength clasped the girls
waist.
There" said Billy Juhilantly. Now.
you are safe. When I'm steadied q
little IN frighteu the beast away