Cheyenne record., 1921-04-07

with me this evening, II he can n'""
age it." .,o,s
For an hour they discussed various
subjects; then Billy, declaring 'ne
siesta was almost over ana the s'op'
reopening as consequence an
nounced his intention OF DONG MS
shOpDing, said goodbye to Dolores uho
Webster, and lugubriOusly departeu
on the business In hand.
"Why are you In such hurry, MI
Webster?" Dolores demanded. You
haven't been In BIenaventtra SIX
hours until you've managed to make
me perfectly miserable
"Tm terribly sorry. l didn't mean
to-"
"Didnt you know Billy Geary Is my
personal property?"
"No, but l suspected he might pe.
BIll's generous that way. He never
besItates to give himself to charm
Ing woman"
"This was a case Of mutual self
defense. Billy hasn't any standing So
cIally, you know. When old Mrs. Cen
eral Maldonado lectured me (the
dear. aristocratic soul conceived 1t to
be her duty) on the lmproprety OF
appearIng on the MalecOn with Billy
and my guardian. who happens to be
BIlly's Iandlady. l 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
a dear-and you have taken him
away"
Webster laughed. swell. he pa
tiept, 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 a JOY forever. but Billy In Il
top hat and frock coat on the sunny
side Of Easy street will be absolutely
Irresistible"
Hes a darling. Ever since my ar
rival he has dedicated his life to keep.
ing me amused" She rose. "Despite
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
o'clockf' Webster was amazed to heal
himself plead.
"You do not deserve such considera
tfon. but Ill come back In about
twenty minutes" she answered and
left him.
As Webster Viewed the situation. hi.
decision to see as little as possible Of
Dolores during his brief stay Ir
Sobrante was wise one. The less hi
saw Of her Che told himself), the bet
ter for his peace of mind. for he wa!
forty years old, and he hqd nevel
loved before. For him this fever tina
burned In his blood. this deliciou!
agony that tllrobbed In his heart-ant
all on the very ghost Of provocation-
were SO many danger.signals. herald
of that grand passion which, comm,
to man of forty. generally lasts hin
the remainder Of his natural exis
tence.
Webster was forced to admit he wa
afraid Of himself. His was the rapid!
disappearing code of the old unfetter
ed West, that man shall never be
tray his friend In thought, word, o
deed. To John Stuart Webster an.
crime against friendship was the mos
heinous In all the calendar of humaI
frailty; even to dream of slipping Int,
Billy's shoes now would be mOnstrous
yet Webster knew he could not affOr,
a test Of strength between his ancien
friendship for Billy and the masculin
desire for a perfect mate. Rename,
then but one course:
II must run like road-runner,
was the way Webster expressed 1t.