Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-12-07
THE RED HEAD
BY MoLLlE MATHsR

RETTS gazed steadily at the red
- head reclining on the plush car
seat before. Surely no one but beloved
Billy Barton, of the past. possessed
just such a flaming top. Good old
Billy, who had truly carried her books
to school, who had teased and tor
mented, and champioued her. And
then, when both were grown to high
school days some tiresome business
had carried Billy's father to Roches-
ter city, and they had tearfully parted
with undying promises to write often
and much.
After several fluent letters upon
Belts part. and several YEARLY penned
eDistles upon Billy's, Belts had re-
Dlarked to herself one evening: 'Oh.
correspondence is unsatisfactory.
guess I'll tell VIII that we won't keep
Il up beyond a card or two, but tell
each other everything when we meet
every summer either in PaysOn or in
Rochester"
Billy Barton had agreed with sus-
piclous ease to this arrangement.
The school ehums did not meet,
either in Payson or in Rochester, due
to the fact that life is full and chang
ing.
SO Belts had forgotten him with the
years almost forgotten. One must re
member wildly Billy's red hair, curl
ing to his dismay across his forehead.
Billy's nose, which would not be
pinched into a Greclan. Belts had
tried it and had suggested clothesplns,
which Billy had been punished for
wearing on that snub rose when his
mother had tucked him In bed cone
night.
But now, in the train coming home
from New York, broad-shouldered,
ycry red-ngired young man getting on
the train at Rochester. brought back
clearly visions of that understanding
friend of her youth. Belts did want
to know how Billy had prospered, and
If he had married, and if--she was
lonely, she wondered-was it just pos
sible that he was going back to Pay
son, back to look over the familiar
places.
BEG pardon began Belts; she
leaned closer, giving the red-haired
man in the car seat an admirable view
of blue eyes softly pleading. please"
said Belts, think. Have you seen me
before?"
1t was not what she had intended to
say. but now she wanted Billy Barton
to prove his remembrance. The gray
feyes studied the charming blue ones
frefectiyely, shrewdly "Sit down." in
vited their red-headed owner-he
arose courteously. Belts took her
place beside him on the plush seat.
Il had to speak to you,' said Belts.
costly ensconsed against his fur coat
thrown over the seat. Il thought
knew you when you got on at Roch-
ester, and was afraid that you might
not be stopping over at Payson. Are
you going to Payson, Mr.. Barton7-
that sounds foolish after all our happy
childhood days together; | shall just
have to call you Billy. You are Billy.
are you not?" asked Belts in sudden
alarm. The young man answered re-
assurihgly, Il certainly am Billy
and added after a moment, "and yes,
I'm going on to Payson."
How NICE rejoiced Belts, that l
can ride up with you in the taxi from
the station. I'll point out all the old
landmarks. And you must stop and
see Aunt Sue. She's the same Aunt
Sue, Billy, who used to give you op-
pies and cookies. Mother Is gone, and
father, too
Sorry to hear that" said Billy; his
tone was sympathetic. He watched
Belts constantly, every move of her
pretty head, every glimpse Of her visit
full smile. She told him ruefully Of
the busy years she had spent abroad,
then paused to ask regarding himself.
"And you, Billy, how have you pros
pered2 MarriedT
no" answered the red-headed Billy
promptly and fervently. mo. Praise
be. not married."
Belts was amused. why so CRATE
fulGr she wanted to know.
Gravity lay in the gray eyes-grav-
lty and sincerity. Because, now at
last / have you," he said. He told,
too, of his busy years civil engineering
which carried him to far parts of the
earth-his latest commission, a great
bridge building in the mountains. Told
of his own loneliness In having lost
his kin. Both gone" said Billy, "Iny
father and my mother.n
It was showing when they, the two
solitary passengers slighted at Pay
son station. THE taxi" said Belts
dismayed, has not come out tonight
which usually happens when one most
needs it. should not mind so much
If I'd worn heavy coat"
Silently Billy wrapped his fur coat
about her. 81 am going to walk home
with you." he said briefly.
1t was surprising how short that
walk seemed. Belts felt with thrill
that she had not remembered how nice
Billy Barton was-how dear.
At the door he stood. II know how
badly you are going to think Of me, "
he said, but must confess my name
is not Barton-though It is Billy
Billy Tyler and you never knew me in
the past. If you had could never
have stayed away"
When William Tyler's friends Joke
about his flaming crown he smiles
contentedly.
MY red head brought me a wife"
he says, and Belts agreed.