Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-03-31

ed Don Juan couple of pesos.
Remember, john" he cautioned the
bibulOus one as they tied up for the
night, nothing unusual happened to-
night"
"Divil a thing, Misther Geary.
Thank you, sor," the Gaelic wreck re-
piled blithely and disappeared in the
darkness, leaving Billy to guide the
stranger to Ell Buen Amigo, where he
was taken into the confidence of Moth
er jerks and, on Billy's guarantee of
the board bill, furnished with a room
and left to his own devices.
John Stuart Webster came down the
gangplank into Leber's launch hard at
the heels of the port doctor.
'You young horse thief" he cried,
affectiOnately. Il believe it's the GUS
tom down this way for men to kiss
each other. Well dispense with that,
but by" He folded Billy in pater-
nal embrace, then held him at arms
length and looked him over.
Lord, son." he said you're as thin
as snake. I'll have to feed you up"
AS they sped toward the landing, he
looked Billy over once more. 81 have
it," he declared. you need a change
of climate to get rid of that malaria.
Just show me this little old mining
claim of yours, Bill, and then hike for
Gods country. Three months up there
will put you right again, and by the
time you get back, We'll be about ready
to weigh the first cleanup"
Billy shook his head. I'D like to
mighty well, Jack" he replied, "but l
| just can't"
Huh I suppose you don't think I'm
equal to the task of Strengthening out
this concession of yours and making a
hummer out of it, eh?"
The young fellow looked across at
him sheepishly "Mine?" he jeered.
who's talking about a mine. I'm
thinking of girl!'
ooh I"
"SOme girl Johnny"
81 hope she's not some parrakeet,"
Webster bantered. "Have you looked
up her pedigree?"
"Ah-h-h!" Billy spat over the side in
sheer disgust. "This is an American
girl-born here, but white-raised in
the U. S. A. I've only known her
three weeks, but-ah !" And Billy
kissed his hand into space.
"Well, I'm glad I find you so happy,
boy. When do you pull off the we'd
ding?"
ooh - cold piI1v, U+bo4,, ,,,,o,,, =, +,,r,
Jack. I haven't asked her. How
could I until Pm able to support her?"
Look here, SON." Webster replied
don't you go to work and be the kind
of fool I was. You get married and
take a chance. A man ought to marry
young, Bill. Hang the odds. know
what's good for you"
At the hotel Billy sent note to
Dolores, apprising her that John
Stuart Webster had arrived-and
would she be good enough to receive
them?
Miss Ruey would be that gracious.
She was waiting for them in the veran-
da just off the patio, outwardly calm
but inwardly a foment of conflicting
emotions. AS they approached she af-
fected not to see them and turning,
glanced in the opposite direction; nor
did she move her head until Billy's
voice, speaking at her elbow, said:
"Well, Dolores, here's my old Jack
partner waiting to be introduced
Jack, permit me to present Miss Do
lOres Ruey."
She turned her face and rose gra-
ciOusly, marking with secret triumph
the light of recognition that leaped to
his eyes, hOvered there the hundredth
part of a second and departed, leaving
those keen, quizZical blue orbs apprais-
ing her in the most natural manner i'm
aginable. Webster bowed.
"It is a great happiness to meet you,
Miss Ruey," he said gravely.
Dolores gave him her hand. "You
have doubtless forgotten, Mr. Webster,
but think we have met before"
"Indeedw John Stuart Webster muir
INJURED interestedly. $50 stupid of me
not to remember. Where did we meet?"
"He has a profound sense of hu-
NOR" she sOliloquized. Hes going to
force me into the open. Oh, dear, I'm
helpless" Aloud she said: "On the
train in Death valley last month, Mr..
Webster"
Webster shook his head slowly, as if
mystified. 81 fear you're mistaken,
Miss Ruey 1 wasn't on the train in
Death valley last month. 1 was in
Denver-so you must have met some
other Mr.. Webster"
She flushed furiously. 81 didn't
think l could be mistaken" she an
swered a trife cOldly.
1T is my misfortune that you were, -
he replied graciously. Certainly, had
we met at that time, should not have
failed to recognize you now. Some
how, Miss Ruey, l never have GnV
luck"
She was completely OutgeneraIed
and having the good sense to realize it,
submitted gracefully. Hes perfectly
horrible" she told herself, "but at least
! o1-