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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8cd13ac --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #62288 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62288) diff --git a/old/62288-0.txt b/old/62288-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1c992c4..0000000 --- a/old/62288-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4998 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Billy To-morrow, by Sarah Pratt Carr - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Billy To-morrow - -Author: Sarah Pratt Carr - -Illustrator: Charles M. Relyea - -Release Date: May 31, 2020 [EBook #62288] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILLY TO-MORROW *** - - - - -Produced by David Garcia, Larry B. Harrison, David E. -Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -https://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - -BILLY TO-MORROW - - - - -_By the same Author_ - - - THE IRON WAY. A Tale of the Builders of the West. With four - illustrations by John W. Norton. _Fifth edition._ Large 12mo, $1.50. - - -A. C. MCCLURG & CO. - -PUBLISHERS - -[Illustration: BILLY] - - - - - BILLY TO-MORROW - - BY - SARAH PRATT CARR - AUTHOR OF “THE IRON WAY” - - _ILLUSTRATED BY_ - CHARLES M. RELYEA - - [Illustration] - - CHICAGO - A. C. McCLURG & CO. - 1909 - - - - - COPYRIGHT - A C McCLURG & CO. - 1909 - - Published September 4, 1909 - - - The Lakeside Press - R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY - CHICAGO - - - - - To One Boy, - strong, buoyant, and true, - generously loved, yet more generously loving, - this book is affectionately - dedicated. - - - - -CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER PAGE - - I. THE LITTLE EARTHQUAKE GIRL 1 - - II. THE SATURDAY GANG 22 - - III. THE SURPRISE 47 - - IV. THE TWO-LIGHT TIME 64 - - V. “THE FAIR ELLEN” 82 - - VI. “THE TRIUMPH OF FLORA” 96 - - VII. THE FIGHT 112 - - VIII. ON STORMY SEAS 128 - - IX. RED GOOSE FLESH 138 - - X. SIR THOMAS KATZENSTEIN 149 - - XI. GOOD-NIGHT IN THE FO’CASTLE 156 - - XII. THE CIRCUS 170 - - XIII. THE HIDDEN HUT 185 - - XIV. IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE 196 - - XV. AGAINST THE FIRE 207 - - XVI. THE BRIDGE TO SAFETY 228 - - XVII. BILLY TO-DAY 240 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - - Billy _Frontispiece_ - - The little earthquake girl 18 - - “What’s the matter with Billy To-morrow?” 44 - - Jimmy sprang for her 94 - - A faint sound caught his ear 118 - - May Nell plays teacher 140 - - “You’re George Rideout Smith’s kid, ain’t you?” 200 - - She scudded across the bending board 236 - - - - -BILLY TO-MORROW - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE LITTLE EARTHQUAKE GIRL - - -As Billy Bennett wheeled around the corner he saw his mother in the -doorway. Also he saw Jean Hammond across the street speaking with Bess -Carter,--the Queen of Sheba, the children called her, she was so large -and dark and handsome, and had such a royal way, like a sure ’nough -queen, one said. Though why children who had never been out of Vine -County should know so much about queens no one thought to ask. - -Billy suspected his mother was waiting for him; he must hurry, he -thought. Yet he couldn’t resist showing off a bit. He bent over his -wheel, went by the girls with a rush and a “Hello!” made a neat turn, -wheeled a figure “8” around a team or two, shouted, “Don’t frame up -anything there!” as he passed a second time, and whizzed through the -arch in his own high hedge with one wheel in the air. - -He swung his book-strap in greeting to his mother while rolling more -slowly up the rose-bordered path to the veranda. He thought his -mother’s face looked tired; but the smile there welcomed him warmly, -and he forgot the tired look with her first words. - -“I’m sorry to make you late with your mowing, Billy, but I must have -you go out to Mrs. Prettyman’s for some cream she promised me.” - -“Do you need it right away?” Billy stood his wheel against the steps -and flung his books on the porch table. - -“Not till evening; but there’s the lawn.” - -“I’ll mow in the morning. Let me stay and visit Pretty--Harold, I -mean--till sundown; can’t I, mamma?” He patted her cheek with a vigor -that made her wink. “You know you can’t refuse your darling boy,” he -wheedled. - -In spite of her smile there was a tinge of gravity in her silent moment -of consideration. “Very well, Billy. You know how short Saturday is, -and that to-morrow you’ll wish you’d cut the grass to-day. Yet I leave -it to you; do as you like.” - -The boy gave her a squeeze that made her last words come in jerks. -“That’s a mean trick to play on a fellow,--chuck such a responsibility -on a twelve-year-old. Say I must or I mustn’t, mamma.” He caught her -hand and gently tweaked her fingers. - -“You are not a baby, my son; you’ll soon be a man, and it’s time you -did your own thinking. Don’t be late for dinner.” - -Billy took the can she held toward him, and made a face that was half -fun, half discontent, yet not unloving. As his mother turned indoors he -noticed again that she was pale, and that her shoulders drooped; and -a sudden heat rose in his heart against the widowhood and poverty that -made it necessary for her to work so hard. When he grew to be a man, he -told himself, he would buy her a diamond ring and a silk dress; and she -should sit all day in the big rocking chair and work no more. - -To-day his mother’s words had left a pang. He would soon be a man and -have to “think for himself.” Yes, and work, too. “Gee whiz! It’ll be -tough not to play any more,” he exclaimed under his breath as he bowled -along the tree-lined road that led to the Prettyman farm. - -In the hours of joy that followed, joy known only to boys and farms -in conjunction, Billy,--and it was unusual for him,--more than once -recalled his mother’s words; heeded them to the extent of bidding -Harold a reluctant good-bye when the sun was still blazing high above -the horizon. But when, on his way home, he came to the branching of -the road his good resolution weakened. He looked back. The sun was -surely more than an hour high. He would have time to go up the hill -road to the “Ha’nt.” And, beside that, he wished to look at the river -where its divided flow encircled a tiny, shrub-grown island. - -A certain wide lawn, starred with white clover and daisies came -unwelcome to his mind. He ought that moment to be chopping off clover -tops. - -“Jiminy! I’ll have time in the morning,” he said aloud, and hurried -on, not slackening his speed till he came to a sharp turn that took -the road against the face of a rugged mountain. He hid his wheel and -can in a tangle of rose vine and snowdrop, and stood out on the edge -of the steep bluff that overhung the rushing river. There bloomed -the island. Near the centre a rocky point was aflame with gorgeous -poppies; and Billy could smell the fragrance of the snowy wild -heliotrope,--pop-corn the children called it. - -The water would soon be low enough, he decided, though the end of the -suspension foot-bridge hung very near surface. The rains had come in -a sudden flood that year, delaying sport he had planned, in which the -island was to play an important part. - -He went on, a little cautiously now, and shortly came in view of -the “Ha’nt,” a sinister though imposing house, built of cut stone, -close against the face of the most picturesque mountain of the range, -bounding Vina Valley. The windows were curtained with cobwebs and -dust. For years the wide front door had been nailed up with the same -sun-bleached boards; and “Keep out!” spoke from every gray splinter. - -Billy knew by sight the two Italians who lived there, brothers yet -enemies. Each dwelt by himself in a corner of the great building. Each -cultivated alone his share of the straggling vineyard on the heights -above, too steep and rocky for a plough; though the lush acres on the -river bottom went fallow. If either overstepped his bounds they fought. -Billy had seen one of these encounters; and the fierce fire in their -dark faces, the passion in the foreign words they spoke,--oaths the boy -felt they must be,--sent him flying home, tinged his dreams for many a -night. - -He was not more inquisitive than other boys, yet the mystery, the many -uncanny tales told of the old house, fired him with a desire to know -its secrets. Long before he was born a murder had left its stain there. -The owners, suspected but unconvicted, moved away; and for years the -house stared vacantly at passers. The coming of the Italians had only -increased its bad name. Late travellers on the lonely road declared -that shadowy forms and flickering lights passed the lower windows and -down into the cavernous basement; yet no sounds ever came from behind -the barred doors. - -Rational people laughed at these stories, declared them the fancies of -brains fuddled by too long a stay at the saloons in town. But Billy was -not so easily satisfied. He wished to see for himself those shadowy -forms; to prove to the small, scared children that, contrary to general -belief, the brothers sometimes had guests. And he had a queer feeling -that some way the house would have a place in his life. He admired -its gloomy grandeur; planned the additions he would make if it were -his own, and the gardens, the hedges of roses, and banks of fragrant -smilax, that should grow there. - -Now he crept through the brush by the roadside till he came close under -the west wall. The setting sun blazed red fire at him from the windows, -reminding him sharply of the hour. - -“Golly! Wish’t I had time to stay an’ watch. But I won’t, Betsey; I’ll -go right now.” - -Billy at work or at play was so absorbed that it was hard for him -to measure time; and he had a queer notion that it was some other -intelligence beside his own will that reminded him, often too late, of -duties waiting. This he named Betsey; and among the children Betsey -came to stand for Billy’s conscience. - -Up on the hillside one of the brothers still plied the hoe; and now -the other came from the back door and walked down the road with his -milk can in his hand. Billy had “the creeps” for a minute, and cowered -closer; but no one saw him. Now was the time! He would never have such -a chance again. - -“You keep still, Betsey! I’m going to watch!” he exclaimed, as if some -one had spoken. - -Cautiously he crept nearer the door, stopping at each step to listen, -to look again at the worker above. He was at the very corner of the -house when voices sounded from within. He started, his breath coming -quicker. He caught no words, but knew by the “ginger” in the tones -that the speakers were angry. Shuffling steps came up the stairway and -turned toward the rear. - -The boy scudded lightly across the narrow open space to the shelter of -a manzanita tree, and looked back again; but no one appeared. Did he -still hear the softly quarrelling voices? He fancied so. The sudden dip -of the sun behind a hill darkened the scene threateningly, and brought -a return of “the creeps.” - -It was not the hour for ghosts, they must be real people. Billy -encouraged himself with that thought and wished he could wait for -further disclosures. Did the sun ever before go down so fast? He -hastened to find his wheel and can, and set out at his best pace. - -As he came into the main road a rosy, wholesome looking girl was -flying by. “Hello, Jean!” he called after her; “that’s going some--for -a girl.” - -She turned back and rode up by his side. “Why shouldn’t a girl ride as -fast as a boy?” She had a bright, frank face, and her brown eyes were -as honest as they were beautiful. - -“Oh, I s’pose she can, only a fellow doesn’t expect it of her. How came -you out here? I thought you’d be watching for refugees.” - -“That’s what I’m hurrying for. Mamma sent me on an errand to Mrs. -Black’s and I want to be back at the station in time to see the train -come in. I wish we were going to have a refugee. Wasn’t the earthquake -awful?” - -“Yes. And the fire worse. Why can’t you have a refugee?” - -“Our house isn’t big enough.” - -“I guess ours’ll be a grown-up chap; but I wish he’d be a boy my size. -How do you guess poor old San Francisco looks to-day?” - -“Oh, Billy, don’t ask me. I can’t bear to think of it. But I almost -forgot,--your mother said if I saw you to tell you to go by the store -and get a loaf of bread. There’s the train!” - -The whistle shrilled up the narrow valley, echoing back and forth from -the steep green hills that bounded it. - -“She’s at Vine Hill--miles away; we’ll beat her if we hurry.” His words -were a bit breathless. - -Off they bounded, side by side, through the fragrant spring evening. -The red of the western sky touched to brighter rosiness their glowing -cheeks, tinted Jean’s wind-blown hair with gold. As they neared the -town she shot ahead in a last ambitious spurt, wheeled and faced him as -he came up. - -“Anything else you can do better than a girl?” she jeered, -good-naturedly. - -“Try a mile with this can and see where you come out in the race.” - -“Why have you been away out in the country for milk?” - -“This milk happens to be cream. I’ve been wondering what kind of a -dessert will take all this.” - -Jean hid a queer little smile that she could not repress. - -“I’ll wrestle with you first chance,” he challenged; “but you wouldn’t -have any show, your dress is so long. Why do you have ’em so?” - -Jean’s face fell, and she didn’t look at Billy when she spoke. “My -mother says I mustn’t wrestle any more.” - -“Why, I wonder? She used to watch us at it and laugh.” - -“Yes; but--oh, Billy, it’s awful to have to grow up and be proper. I -begged mamma not to put my dresses down, but I’m past thirteen, and big -as she is. And--” - -“That’s no giant. She isn’t bigger’n a kid. Will she let you come to -play? The Gang’s coming to-morrow.” - -“Yes, I can come. Shall I bring Clarence, too?” - -“Sure. All the kids. But Clarence especially,--he’s my son, you know.” -Billy grinned. - -“And just worships you. Is your lawn mowed?” - -“No; I’ll do it first thing to-morrow.” He tried vainly to change the -subject. “I--” - -“Oh, Billy To-morrow! You won’t have half time enough to play. You’re a -regular Mexican,--always _mañana_!” - -When the train snorted into the station the two were there, Billy with -his loaf under his arm, his can dangling. Most of the arrivals were -townsfolk home from visits to the stricken city; but a few, evidently -strangers, descended and stood by themselves. - -“That bunch with the tickets, them’s the refugees,” Billy whispered to -Jean. “See? Mr. Patton’s talking to them. Mr. Brown’s going to take ’em -to their places in his hack. I wonder which is ours. Jiminy! See how -hard that poor little kid’s trying to bluff her tears!” - -He indicated a fair-haired child, a baby in size, though her face gave -hint of more years than her slender body. She wore woman’s shoes, and -one was torn; a draggled skirt pinned up in front and trailing behind; -and a folded sheet drawn around her shoulders. Yet no incongruity -of dress could disguise the refined beauty of her face, or of her -uncovered hair. - -A kindly man held her by the hand, yet he was evidently a stranger to -her. - -“Billy, ask Mr. Patton to let her come to your house! There aren’t any -boys.” Jean’s voice trembled with eagerness. - -“Sure! Take care of the truck, will you?” He dropped his burdens to -Jean’s willing hands, and darted forward. - -Mr. Patton, who “placed” the refugees, was glad of Billy’s request, for -the child’s struggle for self-control had touched him; and he knew no -one would be a kinder mother to her than Mrs. Bennett. - -Billy hurried away, and arrived at his home before the hack, bread and -cream safe in spite of threatened dangers. - -“Ma! Mamma Bennett,” he burst out as he banged open the door; “she’s -coming,--our little earthquake girl! The cutest kid,--not so big as the -twins, but stylisher in the face.” - -Mrs. Bennett was setting the table. She put down a pile of plates, and -a new anxiety came into her careworn face. “A child? I told Mr. Patton -I couldn’t take one.” - -“But I asked for her, mamma.” Billy’s voice lost its exuberance. His -mother never had looked so tired, he thought for the second time that -day. - -“Oh, Billy, how could you, when mother has so much to do?” It was his -sister, Edith, who spoke, her sweet face clouded with rare disapproval. -Yet she went on with the music lesson she was giving. - -“I’ll help a lot. You shan’t have a bit more trouble, sister; nor -mamma, either.” He began to distribute the plates with noisy clatter. - -“She’ll be afraid to sleep in the downstairs bedroom,” Mrs. Bennett -reflected, planning rapidly for the unexpected child whom she still had -no thought of turning from her door. - -“Put her in my room and give me the Fo’castle; I’ve always wanted to -bunk there.” - -“She may come with me, mother,” Edith said, pausing in the lesson with -finger uplifted on the beat; “Billy mustn’t go into that bleak tank -house.” - -Mrs. Bennett crossed the room and laid a tender hand on her daughter’s -shoulder. “You’re not strong and need perfect rest. Besides, you -spoil the boy. It won’t hurt him to sleep there, and he must take the -consequences of his own act.” - -“Yet let him sleep downstairs,” Edith persisted. - -“No, no, the Fo’castle! I--Here they come!” Billy set down some cups -with dangerous haste and ran out. - -[Illustration: The little earthquake girl] - -In spite of noise and heedlessness there was something fine and true -about Billy; something that made old Bouncer whine when left behind; -something that called the kittens to rub against his legs; that made -the little children at school adore him, and men and women smile -heartily when they greeted him. It was this mysterious something that -brought a wan smile to the small tired face and tired eyes that looked -confidingly into his blue ones. He lifted her carefully down from -the carriage, and led her up the walk to where his mother and sister -came to meet them. - -“Your nose is out of joint, Edith! I’ve got a new sister.” But his eyes -belied his blunt words. - -“Yes, you shall be our dear little girl.” Mrs. Bennett took the forlorn -child in her motherly arms and kissed her. “You’re tired and hungry, -too, aren’t you?” - -“Yes, thank you. But most my heart is hungry. Will you help me to find -my mama?” - -The quaint words seemed incongruous for so small a child, as did her -self-control; and the accent on the last syllable of “mama” made her -seem almost foreign to Billy. Yet he admired her anew as she tried to -hold still her trembling lips, to restrain her tears; as she threw up -her head, winked hard, and felt vainly for a handkerchief. - -“Here, you poor darling, take mine! And don’t be afraid--you’ll find -your mother before long.” Edith’s words were brave, but her own eyes -were moist. - -“First you must eat, and rest, so that you can tell us about your -mother; then we’ll see what can be done.” Mrs. Bennett took the child -into the pleasant living-room where Billy had put a fourth place at the -table next his own. - -“Say, little kid, what’s your name?” he asked, merrily, as he routed a -great white cat from his own chair and placed it before the fire for -the child. - -“Mary Ellen Smith; but my mama calls me May Nell; and she says--she -says ‘kid’ is vulgar.” The last words were very shy. - -“The child may eclipse you in refining Billy’s language,” Mrs. Bennett -said, with a smile, aside to Edith; and went into the kitchen to “dish -up” the dinner. - -Edith finished her music lesson, dismissed her pupil, and made the -little girl tidy if comical, in one of her own frocks. And when the -four sat to eat, Billy’s voice rang above the rest in the little song -they sang in lieu of grace. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE SATURDAY GANG - - -The place Billy called the Fo’castle was a tiny room in the sloping -windmill tower. It was level with the second floor of the house, and a -narrow, railed bridge connected it with a door in his mother’s room. -Under it was the above-ground cellar, overhead the big tank. Still -higher whirled the great white wings that pumped the beauty-giving -water to lawn and gardens. - -The little room was rude and bare, but Billy loved it. He thought the -massive beams like the ribs of a ship, and planned to hang between -them all his ship pictures. Anything relating to the sea fired his -imagination. It gave him a sense of manliness to sleep there alone; -and when the heavier gusts of night wind rocked the tower, and each -revolution of the big wheel splashed the water against the tank, -as waves lap a ship’s side, he dreamed himself on the ocean, called -himself “Captain.” - -He woke early the next morning. This was rare for him; he usually slept -like a bear in midwinter. Perhaps the creaking of the windmill all -through the night made his slumber light. Another noise had disturbed -him, the sewing machine. Its whirr had come up to him from the open -window of the living-room. He knew mother and sister were sewing hard, -that on the morrow the poor little stranger might be suitably clad. -_He_ had brought upon them this extra work! And this was only the -beginning. If the child’s mother was not found they must buy clothes as -well as food; and this would take a lot of his sister’s money. - -“Jiminy! If they don’t let me work this vacation, I’ll have to run -away,” he thought as, through the uncurtained window, he watched the -evening star sink below the western hills. While he was wondering if -people lived in the star he fell asleep; yet waked later to hear the -busy machine. - -“Golly! They’re working all night. I--ought to--help--to-morrow. I--” -He slept again with his good resolution half made. - -Yet the impression of the night had been deep enough to wake him before -the sun rose. He dressed quickly, astonished the chickens with an early -breakfast; put fresh sand in the coop; climbed the windmill tower to -oil the bearings of the big wheel; and put the lawn mower in order, but -remembered in time that to use it would wake the sleepers. - -What more might he do to hasten the Saturday work? He could not chop -the kindling or fill the wood boxes. The weeding! It was behind. Both -mother and sister had reminded him repeatedly, but he had forgotten. -Only yesterday his sister had made tidy the flower beds that flanked -the house; but the melons, the vegetables,--they were not done, and -that would make no noise. - -The Bennetts’ was one of the oldest places in town, and the most -beautiful. It was near the heart of the growing village ambitiously -calling itself a city. Level lawns protected by high hedges and shaded -by many trees, spread amply around the house and back to the first -terrace, where a tangle of berry vines covered trellises that shut off -a lower level devoted to vegetables. Beyond this was the chickens’ -domain, rock-dotted acres that sloped sharply to where Runa Creek -boiled over its stony bed. Here mother hens fluttered and scolded while -web-footed broods paddled in the edges of the stream. - -Once Billy’s attention was fixed he was as earnest at work as at play. -He slaughtered the weeds rapidly, and had several clean beds behind him -when his mother called him to breakfast. - -“What happened to you, Billy?” she asked when he entered the kitchen. -“For a second I was frightened when I went to wake you and found you -gone.” - -“Thought I’d eloped? I ought to when I’ve brought you an extra mouth to -feed.” He was splashing and spluttering in the lavatory off the kitchen. - -“Never mind, son; we expected to take some one.” - -“Yes; but some one who could take care of himself. And you didn’t -expect to open dressmaking parlors.” - -“No matter, Billy. I think she was sent to us; and we shall find a way. -Are the chickens fed?” - -“Yes, long ago. And, mamma, you needn’t ask me that every morning; I’m -going to remember. Truly!” he added, as he came toward her, rosy and -shining, and saw her doubtful smile. “The vegetables are most weeded, -too.” - -Mrs. Bennett put down the pan of batter-cake dough and gave him his -good-morning kiss. His head was level with hers. “Thank you, my big -boy. Mother will soon have a man to look to. Go in and get your -breakfast; you must be nearly famished.” - -“Yes, I could eat a graven image.” - -“I hope my breakfast won’t be quite so--” - -“Rocky?” he interrupted. “You bet not. It’ll be just bully, that’s -what!” - -“Oh, Billy!” she said, despairingly; and he knew in spite of her smile -that she disliked his words. “The little girl is looking for you. She -is lonely; you must amuse her.” - -Billy was suddenly overcome with bashfulness when the child, quite -composed, came forward to meet him. A bath, a shampoo, and new clothes -had transformed her from a tangled, smudged little girl to a lovely -miss with a high-bred air foreign to the childish manners Billy -understood. He recognized Edith’s gown in the pretty frock mother and -daughter had sat late to make over; but the neat ties and hose, all the -little things it takes to make a girl look pretty, where had they come -from? - -“Aren’t you going to say ‘Good-morning’ to me, Billy?” She put out the -slenderest little white hand, and looked into his face appealingly. - -“Of course I am,” he replied promptly, with a squeeze of her hand that -made her wince. “At first I was scared; I thought you must be a fairy.” - -“Oh, no, not a fairy; only Cinderella. Last night I was the poor little -cinder girl; now my fairy godmothers, two, have touched me with their -wands, needles, and I’m so fine even the Prince didn’t know me.” - -“Well, the Prince will see that the glass slipper’s tied fast. He’s got -no ‘Ho, minions!’ to hunt for you if you turn Cinderella again.” He -stooped and fastened her tie. - -She clapped her hands. “Oh, I’m glad you like fairies, too. Do you know -about Bagdad and Semiramide and Good King Arthur and Ivanhoe, and all -the other beautiful things in the world?” she asked, breathlessly. - -“Dear me, mother,” Edith said when Mrs. Bennett came in with hot cakes, -“what shall we do with two children in dreamland?” Edith had not -touched her breakfast, but was waiting on the others. - -“Three you should say. Don’t you live in the dreamland of music? Eat -your own breakfast, or you’ll be late for the train.” - -“Train? Is she going away?” The small girl’s face grew sorrowful. - -“Only for a day, dear. I’ll be back to-night.” - -“She has a music class in Loma; and it isn’t dreamland, either, -teaching; but she has to earn grub for me, sister does.” The frank -statement of a truth he had grown accustomed to this morning roused a -feeling of shame, and he gazed steadily at his plate. - -“Don’t look so, brother,” Edith said as she kissed him good-bye; “the -‘grub’ is making a fine boy, and I’m proud of him.” Yet as she tied her -veil at the mirror she saw the cloud still lingering on his face. - -“Let him play to-day, mother,” she pleaded, when the two stepped into -the hall; “he can be a boy only once.” - -“But you work hard, and he should do his part. You are spending your -youth for us, and I’m glad he begins to see it.” They spoke softly, yet -Billy knew partly what they said; and it made him still more thoughtful. - -“You and Edith are fairies,” he said when his mother came again to the -room, “to rustle such pretty togs for the new sister in a night.” His -mother was piling his plate again with griddle cakes. - -“My conscience! You can’t eat all--” May Nell stopped, conscious of an -unkindness. But the boy only laughed; he was used to comments on his -appetite. - -“Good hearts need no fairy wings,” Mrs. Bennett replied to Billy -while she smiled at the little girl. “Jean told her mother about our -May Nell, and Mrs. Hammond came over with a generous lot of outgrown -things.” - -“But Jean’s two times as big as May Nell.” - -“Yes, now. Once she must have been about the same size, you know.” She -stood behind the child caressing her cheek. - -“What is the matter with your hand?” May Nell asked as she drew the -work-worn hand down and patted it. “It doesn’t feel like my mama’s. -And you have only one ring, a plain one. Are your others in the bank? -My mama has ever so many,--diamonds, rubies, and such a big sapphire, -perfectly exquisite! And they look elegant on her hand,--she has a -perfectly beautiful hand.” - -“There are other things besides gems, little girl.” Mrs. Bennett smiled -and began to clear the table. - -“Her hand would be as pretty as any one’s if she didn’t have to work so -hard,” Billy thought loyally; and promised himself again that the first -money he earned should buy his mother a diamond ring. - -“Take May Nell into the garden with you, Billy,” Mrs. Bennett said; “I -shall be busy with the Saturday work, and she will be happier in the -sunshine. And don’t speak of the earthquake,” she warned him aside; -“she must forget that as fast as possible.” - -Outside the spring warmth and fragrance enfolded the children as a -mantle, opening their hearts to each other. Billy showed his flock -of pigeons, his white chickens and the house where they roosted and -brought forth their fluffy broods. Old Bouncer barked and capered about -them; and the little girl tried to decide which cat was the prettiest, -white Flash watching for gophers in the green alfalfa, or Sir Thomas -Katzenstein, his yellow mate, basking in the sun. “He isn’t yellow like -any other cat I ever saw; he’s shaded so beautifully.” - -“Yes, sister says he’s rare, Persian or something; but I guess he’s -only a plain cat. He’s a lazy thing.” - -“Why doesn’t your mama have a man to take care of the grounds?” she -questioned after she had told him something of her parents and home. - -“She can’t, you know; she and sister have to work hard to make what we -spend now. I don’t do half enough myself.” - -“Giving music lessons isn’t work. I’d love to do that.” - -“You bet it’s work! ’Specially when she gets hold of a cub like me.” - -“‘You bet’ isn’t nice,” the child chid gently, and waited a moment -before continuing. “My papa won’t let my mama work. He went to South -America to get rich. When he comes back, he wrote in a letter to me, I -shall be as rich as a princess.” - -“My father didn’t let my mother work when he was alive; but he--he -died.” Billy bent lower over his weeding, and both were quiet. - -It was May Nell who first broke the silence. She had been thinking. “It -isn’t so very bad to have to work, is it? Your mama looks happier than -my mama does. She said she’d rather wear calico and work ever so hard, -and have papa at home, than be the richest, _richest_ without him. She -cries a lot--my mama does. And now--she’s crying--for me.” The last -word was a sob. - -“Here, here! You mustn’t do that,” Billy gently coaxed, rising and -taking her hand. “You’ll make me draw salt water, too. And it don’t -help, you know. I’ll tell you what--you can work some, gather the -flowers. I’ll show you how. Mother puts ’em fresh in all the rooms for -Sunday.” He bustled her up the terrace steps, brought scissors and -basket, and, starting her on her pleasant task, began to mow the lawn. - -“All over the house does she put them?” the child asked after she had -snipped a fragrant heap. - -“Yes. You see, she rents some of the rooms, and she says they must look -extra nice on Sunday so the men won’t mosey off to the saloons.” - -“‘Mosey’? Does that mean ‘little Moses’?” - -He had hardly recovered from his laugh when two little girls appeared -at the gateway. “There’s Twinnies! Come in, Kiddies, and see my new -sister,” he called, as they hesitated. - -“We came--we came to bring these,” one ventured timidly, and lifted one -end of the basket they carried between them. - -Billy peeped under the cover, not heeding the little girls’ protest. -“Golly, May Nell! The Queen of Sheba won’t be in it ’long side of you.” - -Mrs. Bennett heard anxiety in the voices of the visitors, and came out. - -“Mrs. Bennett, you must unpack it alone, mamma said.” - -“Alone, mamma said,” came the second voice. - -Mrs. Bennett seemed to know exactly what to do. She took out and -displayed to May Nell some of the generous gift of child’s wear sent by -Mrs. Dorr from the wardrobe of the twins, placed the basket within the -door, and introduced the children. Billy wondered what else might be in -the basket that made it “act so heavy; it couldn’t be shoes.” He looked -critically at May Nell’s small feet. - -“This is Evelyn Dorr, and Vilette, her sister,” Mrs. Bennett was saying. - -Billy laughed. “Mixed again, mamma. This is Vilette,” he drew one -bashful little girl nearer the stranger, “and _this_ is Evelyn, Echo, -we call her.” - -Mrs. Bennett smiled at her mistake and went in, while Billy took up his -mower. The girls looked at one another in the mute scrutiny children -bestow on newcomers, May Nell the least embarrassed of the three. - -“Are you as old as us? We’re seven,” Vilette said a bit loftily, as she -discovered herself taller than May Nell. - -“We’re seven,” came the echo. - -“Last November.” - -“Last November,” piped Evelyn. - -“I was ten in January, the twelfth,” May Nell replied, with no pride in -her tone; she was always older than those of her size. Yet she was not -prepared for the gasps and backward movement of the twins. - -“Ten? You won’t think of playing with us, then. Ma thought you’d be -just our age.” - -“Just our age.” - -The little stranger girl smiled winningly. Her childish companions -had not been numerous enough to justify her in drawing such close -lines; and she liked the sweet, half timid faces that always looked so -earnestly into her own. “Surely, I’ll play with you. I’ll come to see -you some time when Mrs. Bennett says I may.” - -A whoop startled her and she turned to see a handsome boy racing up on -a brown pony, also carrying a basket. - -“Hello, Billy To-morrow! Why didn’t you do that mowing last night? You -said you were going to.” He dismounted, tied the pony to the post, and -went inside; and one saw that in spite of jeers the boys were friends. - -“Something my mother sent yours. You mustn’t touch it,” he warned, as -Billy made a reach for it. “I was to land this safe in Mrs. Bennett’s -hands; and here goes!” He sprang from Billy’s outreached arms, ran into -the house and out again, before Billy had time to resume his mowing. - -“Say, it’s a donation party, isn’t it?” Billy did not see Harold wink -at the twins, but picked up his mower and started across the lawn at a -trot. - -“Here, let me do that,” Harold commanded; “you go and do the rest of -your work. We won’t get to play in all day. The Gang coming?” - -“Said so, but they’re late. We’ve got an addition, the little -earthquake girl.” This last was a sibilant aside. - -Harold turned and looked to where May Nell stood with the twins, -sorting her flowers. “Isn’t she a daisy, though? Little--why, she’s -only a baby.” - -“Look out! She’s ten, an’ never been to school; but she’s read more -things ’n you ’n me put together, Pretty. Knows ’em, too.” Billy -introduced the two in characteristic fashion and went within. - -“Mamma, Pretty’s finishing the lawn for me; can’t I rub the floors -right now? The Gang’s coming and we want to do a lot to-day.” - -“Never mind the floors, Billy. You’ve worked hard already; run off and -have a good time.” - -Another time he would have gone quickly enough, for he liked work as -little as the average boy, often shirked it; though when he forgot -himself in his task, the joy of doing it well held him to it. But May -Nell’s coming and the added expense still troubled him; and it was a -resolute face he turned to his mother. “No, mamma, you shan’t get down -on your marrow bones to these old floors. It’s only me that needs to go -on the knees, you know.” His eyes twinkled. - -He knew it was he and his friends who were never denied “the run of the -house,” that brought in most of the gray film that settled so quickly -on the dark floors; it was not fair to leave this back-aching task -to his mother. He hustled out the rugs, found dusting cloth, wax, and -rubber, and set vigorously at it, working so fast that he was nearly -finished when she returned to the room. - -“That’s enough, Billy. Jimmy Dorr and George Packard are coming.” She -was a sensible woman, yet she disliked to expose her boy to Jimmy’s -caustic tongue. But Billy was equal to more than Jimmy. - -“Let ’em come. What do I care for Sour ’n Shifty? I’ll never desert -Micawber this near success.” He rubbed on calmly, and the two boys came -in at the open door. - -“Hello, Billy! You washin’ floors?” There was a sneer in Jimmy’s voice. - -“Sure.” Billy looked up from all fours and grinned. “I haven’t got -two able-bodied sisters like Vilette an’ Echo to work for me; and you -wouldn’t have me see my mother do it, would you?” - -Mrs. Bennett did not know, as her son did, that the retort touched a -sore fact. Jimmy’s eyes darkened with the look that had earned for him -the name of “Sour.” Yet in spite of this he had a fine, strong face. - -Billy went on with his rubbing, and his next words were comically -resigned. “Besides, I suppose I’ll have to get married some day; of -course she’ll be a new woman; might as well learn housework now.” - -Jimmy’s face lost its scorn. Someway the sting of his sarcasm never -seemed to touch Billy, who could always strike back a surer if less -venomous blow. Perhaps that was the very reason why Jimmy, though -larger and older, sought Billy and heeded him as he did no other save -his own stern father. - -“You don’t catch Billy asleep,” said George, siding with the victorious. - -“We must go right back,” Jimmy declared, turning to the door of the -kitchen and thrusting a package within. - -“Tremendous long visit,” Billy taunted; “what’d you come for? Another -donation for my new sister?” - -George nudged Jimmy. “Hit again, Sour. Come on.” The two boys went out, -mysteriously embarrassed. - -Billy went to the door and looked after them. No one was in sight. -Harold, the twins, and May Nell, too, were gone. What could it mean? He -looked back at the clock. Nearly ten. Usually the Gang gathered earlier -than this, hung around and hurried him with his work, many putting in -lusty strokes, that Billy, the favorite, might the sooner be released. -But now even Jean, his stanch second in all the fun going, was late. -He had expected to be late himself; he always was. But he, who planned -most of the sport in spite of doing more work than any of them, had -this day expected his schemes to be well launched before he could join -in them. - -He was standing disconsolate, looking up the street for stragglers, -when his mother came in again. - -“What’s the matter, Billy? Why don’t you go and play? You surely -deserve a fine holiday, my big, big son.” She put her arm around -him tenderly; and he saw that she remembered. He would be thirteen -to-morrow. He had been counting the days; but he thought mother and -sister had been too busy to think of it. It was coming--to-morrow, -Sunday! If he didn’t have a good time to-day it wouldn’t be any -birthday at all. - -[Illustration: “What’s the matter with Billy To-morrow?”] - -“Why doesn’t the Gang come, mamma?” he asked, returning the kiss he -knew was one ahead for his natal day. - -“Suppose you go down to the creek,” she replied with a peculiar -smile. “May Nell and the twins went there some time ago. Harold, too.” - -Billy ran off full of vague expectation born of his mother’s smile. No -one in all the country round, not even Harold Prettyman, whose father -had the finest farm in Vine County, had such a splendid place to play -as the Bennetts’ back lot that sloped down to Runa Creek. As Billy -slammed the gate and bounded out on a huge boulder that hung over the -creek, a sounding cheer greeted him from below. - -“Hooray, Billy! Thirteen to-morrow! But this is the day we celebrate!” - -There they all were; those who had come first to the house, and many -others: Jean, Bess Carter, Charley Strong, Max Krieber, Jackson Carter, -the little colored boy, standing aloof, and others, large and small. -All in a line they stood, and shouted up at him: - -“What’s the matter with Billy To-morrow? He’s thirteen! Three and ten! -Most a man! He’s all right!” - -For a minute Billy stood, dazed, his heart thumping hard. Then he threw -his cap in the air, sang out, “Bully for the Gang! This time it’s Billy -To-day!” and raced down the hill to join them. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE SURPRISE - - -“Well, what do you want to play?” Billy asked, after the hubbub had a -little subsided. - -“Let’s go to the park and play football,” Jimmy responded quickly. - -“But the girls and small fry can’t come in on that. Besides, that -little city kid’ll be lonesome if I leave her.” - -“Well I’m not going to stay an’ play kid games,” Jimmy retorted -loftily, and turned away. - -“Me neither,” George endorsed. - -“All right,” Billy acquiesced with a nonchalant tact; “I thought Sour’n -Shifty’d make good surveyors, Pretty; but I guess you can do that an’ -your own job too, can’t you?” Billy turned to Harold, while George -watched to see what Jimmy did. - -“Surveyors? What’s your scheme?” Jimmy was quickly interested. - -“Why, I’d planned a big stock concern, like business men. We’ll build a -railroad, telegraph line--that comes first, though; we’ll have gold and -copper mines, and a wharf. And next we’ll launch the steamer we’ve been -making.” - -“_If_ she steams,” Harold put in sagely. - -“That big sand pile the kids made last week for a fort can be the -Sierras, and we’ll tunnel, and have a loop, and--” - -“But where does our fun come in? Girls don’t build railroads,” Bess -complained. - -“No; but you can ask concessions, and buy stocks, and keep hotel in the -shack, an’ board us men. Make more money ’n we do. They always do, you -know; not the fellers that works, but the smart ones that work _them_. -I’m hungry enough to eat May Nell right now!” He snapped his teeth -together with a ferocious grin as the little girl came near; and she -laughed back at him more joyously than her mother would have believed -possible could she have known; for this wholesome out-of-door frolic -was a boon to the child, white from life within brick walls. - -They were a happy lot. Each held some high-sounding position, the name -coined in Billy’s busy brain. His box of abused tools came forth; the -much mended wheelbarrow, picks, shovels wobbly from use as well as -abuse, improvised things that only an imagination as large as Billy’s -could have named tools,--something for each one there. - -Along the ridge of soft sand left by receding waters Billy let his -first contract to Harold, who immediately marshalled the “kindergarten” -with their broken fire shovels, kitchen spoons, what not, and set them -to digging briskly. “Straight to the line, mind you,” he sang out from -time to time, as he set his pins along the line the “engineers had -run.” Max was superintendent of telegraph construction; and Charley -Strong, “the Strong Man,” and Jackson contracted for the tunnel. They -were to start from each side, meet exactly in the middle in sixty -days,--a minute stood for a day,--or pay five million dollars fine. -And over all Billy kept a watchful eye, cast the glamour of his eager -spirit. - -What matter if the telegraph poles that were to be just twelve -feet--that is, twelve inches--fell short or long sometimes. - -“Their knifes bin too dull, and she must quick be done,” Max apologized -to Billy on his inspection trips. - -“We’ll play there’s a strike in the saw-mills, Dutchy, and this is scab -labor,” Billy excused amiably. And for a fact the white cotton string -carried the messages quite safely from the “Front,” where Jimmy and -George laid out the “line” over wonderful grades, across impossible -gorges; and “wired” back for further orders. Harry Potter was the -operator at the “Front,” and Vilette,--“Women do operate, you know,” -she said,--Vilette was the proud holder of “the key” at Headquarters, -where Clarence Hammond strutted around as Messenger; and because he was -the “son of the Boss,” bullied his Cousin Harry unmercifully. - -“Geegustibus! You kids are doin’ a fine job,” Billy encouraged, as he -walked by the line of little bending, sweating backs. “There never -was a railroad built on the square like this. Contractors on time; -men a-workin’ that’s got brains an’ ain’t afraid to use ’em. Jiminy -crickets, it’s fine!” - -Every back bent a little lower. Every face flushed a little rosier -under its coat of grime. Praise from Billy was all they asked. - -“Well, I must get at my job, too. That’s thinking up things. You -fellers do your work an’ get your money; but I got to rustle that money -or bust.” - -“O Billy, it hurts the ears of my mind to hear you say those vulgar -words.” May Nell, playing “man” for the first time in her life, looked -up from the “rod of grade” that she was piling deftly with a broken -shingle. The color from sun and exercise added much to her beauty. She -was neither blowsy nor smudged like the other children, and her lawn -frock was as spotless as in the morning. - -Billy looked at her thoughtfully, wondering why her fearless criticism -did not displease him; lifted his battered hat and mussed again his -tousled hair. “All right, Fair Ellen, I’ll try to obey the--” - -“Lady of the Lake?” she finished quickly in a question. “Do you know -that, too? I love it.” - - “‘One burnished sheet of living gold, - Loch Katrine lay beneath him rolled,’” - -she quoted glibly. “I know a lot more of it. Do you?” - -A scream from “the shack” stopped further quotations. Billy ran up the -hill to learn the trouble. Only Evelyn was there in the little house -built, half of boards, half of willow twigs woven lattice-wise, against -a huge smooth rock. Beside this rock also ascended a cobble chimney; -and the fireplace, roughly plastered, served its purpose well. Billy -had made it all, and Edith wished the house fireplace would draw as -well. - -He found Evelyn on her knees before a hot fire, bravely trying to hold -level one of the several pots that were sizzling there. Her drooping -hair smothered her small hot face, and perspiration stood like dew on -her anxious little upper lip. - -“What’s the matter, Kiddie? Gee! Those big girls ought not to leave -you alone with that fire; you’ll be cooked before the grub!” he -grumbled while he mended the fire and propped the kettle. “Yum, yum! -Things a-doin’ here. Makes a feller’s stomach feel like just before -Thanksgiving dinner.” - -Evelyn relieved of her fear of the tottering kettle, roused to her -charge. “Go ’way, Billy! Thank you, Billy. You mustn’t stay here! -They’ll scold me. They said for me not to let you come; an’--” - -“Why not, I’d like to know? Isn’t this my shack? And shall I let a kid -burn up?” - -“But it’s a secret,” she whispered in smothered distress. “Please to -go!” - -And Billy seeing sweet potatoes sticking out of hot ashes, and other -luxuries in evidence, concluded that some business was “doin’ among -the girls,” where he wouldn’t be welcome. He went back to the “Front,” -where some of the contractors were having a violent altercation over -the meaning of certain specifications. The Boss soon arbitrated -successfully, and things moved “lively” for a short time, when the -banging of a dishpan announced dinner at “the hotel.” - -“Right this way, ladies and gentlemen,” Bess called from the edge of -the far terrace. “A dinner fit for the gods, ambrosia and nectar; gifts -from Flora and Fornax! Come up to the garden of the gods and goddesses -and feast together!” - -Bess, though not quite twelve, was a striking girl, larger than most -women; with a mind as unusual as her body. Poetry, music, mythology, -she fed upon these as a plant upon the sunshine. She was not satisfied -with ordinary speech, but continually wove into the most commonplace -events the glamour of romance and poetic words. A wise mother had stood -between her and the jeers of the thoughtless, that she might have -a normal girlhood; and Billy’s mother and sister helped to make it -possible for her to play comfortably with those of her own age. Yet -it was a surprise to the stranger to see this dark-eyed, magnificent -woman-creature in short skirts romping with children. - -To-day she was happy. It had fallen to her to general this great feast -that Billy’s mates had planned for the celebration of his birthday. All -had contributed. Not only the girls had cooked--Jean had baked a big -cake, Jackson had made the candy, and Jimmy and George had sneaked up -from the “Front,” and set up the long table in the arbor. - -According to plan, Billy’s mother had called and detained him while -the score of laughing youngsters gathered and stood silently around -the table. When he was running across the lawn again, his face washed -and hair combed, matters he thought might well have been omitted when -time was so precious, he was struck by the strange stillness. What had -happened to stop every tongue at once? He ran on faster, through the -trellis gate, and halted, transfixed. A shout greeted him. Each one -waved a small flag, and sang lustily-- - - “Where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy? - Oh, where have you been, charming Billy?” - -He looked at the beaming faces, at the beautiful table with Jean’s -great pagoda cake in the centre, the dates, 1893-1906, in evergreen; -at the flowers everywhere; at the dishes,--they usually ate from vine -leaves at their out-of-door feasts,--at the paper napkins folded -fantastically and hovering over the table like gay butterflies. His -eloquent face told his surprise, his gratitude, his delight. He -opened his mouth to speak some fitting word, but it wouldn’t come. He -tried again, for he felt the occasion called for something formally -appreciative. But only a whimsical idea flitted into his mind; and he -sang back-- - - “I’ve not been to seek a wife, - You can bet your old sweet life, - For I’m a young thing and cannot leave my mother.” - -A gleeful yell greeted his paraphrase. While they ate it all came out, -how they had planned and executed. Harold had peas and strawberries -hidden in his mysterious basket, freshly gathered by his own hands -that morning. George and Jimmy had furnished and dressed the chickens, -and the girls had roasted them--with a little supervision from Mrs. -Bennett--in the Yukon camping stove that belonged to Harry’s mother. -Bess had given the dishes, blue and white enamel, strong as well as -good to the eye, and ready for many another frolic. - -Max furnished the milk. “I haf gif mine cow much sugar to make dot milk -sweet for Pilly to-day,” he explained happily to Mrs. Bennett. - -And so the story went on. All the wholesome things of the country that -children like had come from one and another. And each had been as happy -in giving as Billy could possibly be in receiving. - -Bess, an only child, was usually present at the frequent -entertainments her parents gave, and was familiar with some of the -more formal table customs. She wished Billy’s dinner to have every -dignity, and to this end rose and proposed a toast to him. They drank -it standing, with cheers. And Billy, accustomed to having the largest -voice in every noise, stood and joined lustily; till Jackson, who -helped his father at the catering for lodge banquets, and knew a -thing or two, reached behind Jean and pulled the back of Billy’s coat -violently. “Pst! Set down!” he hissed, tragically. - -And Billy, suddenly remembering who was being cheered, slid to his seat -sheepishly, a cold feeling down his back, uncomfortable heat in his -cheeks. - -Jean changed the situation by proposing a toast to Billy’s new sister. - -“Half-sister, step-sister, persister, or sister-in-law--” Jimmy began, -when Billy’s frown stopped him, and Bess interrupted with, “He thinks -he’s saying something witty: laugh everybody.” - -But Jean spoke at once and heartily. “Here’s to our latest addition. -May she never be subtracted from us. Already she’s multiplied our joys, -yet we hope she’ll not have to divide our woes.” - -Jimmy was the first to stand and cheer. - -May Nell sat still and smiled modestly. Billy stared at her, feeling -still more foolish over his own mistake. - -Presently Jimmy and George slipped away and quickly returned bearing a -huge freezer, Mrs. Bennett following. Now Billy knew what she had done -with the cream. - -“It’s only your notion, Billy, that mother’s cream is best; but I’ve -been very happy making it for you.” She began at once to serve it. - -“Billy, you’re a wise guy. This beats Maskey’s,” Harold declared. - -“There isn’t any Maskey’s any more,” May Nell mourned; “just ashes and -old irons where used to be such oceans of goodies in such beautiful -boxes and dishes.” - -All were silent for a little. Most of them had been more than once to -San Francisco’s celebrated dealer in sweets. - -“Do you know how ice cream is made, May Nell?” Jimmy asked to break the -oppression. - -“No; will you tell me?” - -“First they feed the cow a barrel of sugar, then they freeze her, after -that milk her; and there you have your ice cream.” - -May Nell looked incredulous. “And they feed her strawberries and -vanilla beans and chocolate for flavors, I suppose; but how do you -separate them when you milk? Will you show me the next time you fill -that big bucket?” She nodded her head toward the freezer, and was so -demure that not even Bess, still less Jimmy, knew whether she was -deceived or poking fun. - -May Nell was astonished at the country appetites, astonished at her -own; yet the cream also disappeared; after which Bess, the magnificent, -rose, waved her hand theatrically toward Mrs. Bennett, and declaimed, - - “Here’s to our mothers, - Better than all others, - Whose feet never tire, - Whose hearts never--” - -Just then mischief took possession of Harry Potter. He dropped a paper -parcel behind Vilette, and a little green snake wriggled out and ran -under the table. Vilette only grinned, but May Nell saw it, screamed -and grew white. - -“Oh, oh! It ran--across my--foot!” she gasped, and fell over. - -Confusion followed. Harry was struck with a great fear. Was she dead? -He had never seen a girl do so before. Would they hang him? - -But May Nell recovered almost before Mrs. Bennett had time to lift -her. “I often do--do--faint,” she apologized, “it isn’t--isn’t ’t all -dangerous.” She smiled at Mrs. Bennett, and the smile, the sweet, pale -little face with her hair a shining golden halo around it, made of her -an ethereal being almost unreal to the awestricken children. Yet she -was soon merry again, apparently as well as ever. - -The hours passed in an uproar of fun. The table was dismantled, toys, -tools, and dishes put away, and the feast had sped into the past. - -“It’s been the best ever,” Jean said, happily. - -“A perfectly gorgeous occasion,” Bess supplemented. - -“The bulliest time yet!” shouted Charley from the street. - -“Mine stomach ist so full mine head cannot t’ink,” Max stammered to -Mrs. Bennett; “but it vas bravo!” - -They all went off, a merry, noisy troop. And the disappearing sun was -the last to say to Billy “Good-night.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE TWO-LIGHT TIME - - -Sunday brought rain, and Mrs. Bennett decided that May Nell must remain -quietly in the house. The only apparent result of her exciting day, -and the faint, was a languor that made her willing to obey, to curl -up by the fire, with Sir Thomas by her side. He was a tremendous cat, -who accepted lazily all the caresses bestowed upon him, while Flash, -his white mate, was shy, and unless forced, would not appear before -strangers. - -“They’re great frauds, those aristocratic cats of sister’s,” Billy -explained; “not a bit of use. They won’t fight, and--” - -“O Billy, think how many gophers Flash catches, and what gentlemen they -are in the house,” Edith defended. She was chorister for one of the -churches, and was now gathering her music. - -“You never give my cats a chance,” Billy complained. - -“Yes, we have, Billy,” Mrs. Bennett corrected. “Bring them in now. -Let May Nell see our entire cat family.” She followed him out, and -presently returned with a plate of cut meat which she placed on a -newspaper on the hearth. - -“A cat tablecloth!” the little girl laughed. - -“That’s for Billy’s cats; mine need none,” Edith declared. - -The child reared without pets was delighted with the animal life about -her; the cats, old Bouncer, the white chickens, and pigeons cooing in -the loft. - -Mrs. Bennett called. The cats walked leisurely to the hearth, sat down, -one on either side, and began to eat, each from his own side of the -plate. They were as deliberate and dainty as well-bred children. - -Billy entered with a cat under each arm. “Geewhillikins,” he -introduced, “the best fighter in town,” and put down a stub-tailed, -gray cat, half as large as the house pets, with “tom-cat” speaking from -every hair of him. “I think mamma’s partial,--she lets sister’s cats -come in the house, but not mine.” - -Geewhillikins did not wait for four feet to be on the floor to spring -at the plate. He put his paws on one pile of meat, and began to gobble -the other, growling savagely. The house cats drew back, curled their -tails around their forefeet, and looked at the gorger in calm disdain. - -“You haven’t noticed Jerusalem Crickets, yet,” Billy said impressively, -anxious to distract attention from the little drama at the plate. He -placed his second cat on the floor, a gaunt creature, brindled in many -colors, with great scared-looking eyes. “She’s afraid of everybody. -She never had any home till I brought her here, poor thing! Just kicked -from door to door. And Geewhillikins, too--he was a tiny kitten put in -a sack to drown out in the creek. And he was so plucky he just wiggled -to shallow water and hollered for a deliverer. Of course that kind of -cats don’t have manners. How could they?” Billy was a fine special -pleader. - -“He was a real little cat Moses, wasn’t he? And you--you must be -Pharaoh’s son instead of daughter.” The child laughed and clapped her -hands. - -Meantime Jerusalem Crickets, escaped from Billy’s arm and eye, was -sneaking about for prey; and a clinking sound from the pantry warned -them that she had found it. - -“Run, Billy! You left the door open--she’ll get the dinner!” Mrs. -Bennett cautioned, hurrying out herself to reckon the loss. - -“It’s only a chop left from yesterday,” he excused on his return. - -“It might have been to-day’s roast,” Edith protested, as she took the -snarling Geewhillikins from his feast. “You see why Billy’s cats don’t -come in the house, May Nell.” - -“Did you forget their breakfast, Billy?” the child questioned earnestly. - -“No, Billy never forgets his cats,” his sister answered for him; -“though the chickens might sometimes suffer but for mamma. Take your -ill-bred felines out, Billy.” - -He obeyed, talking whimsically to his pets as he went. - -“Flash and Tom wouldn’t touch meat left on the table alone with them -for a day,” Edith said as she replenished the plate, shook and folded -away the paper, and called her cats. - -They walked up as before, and ate slowly, piece by piece, neither -touching a morsel on the opposite side of the division line. Sir Thomas -finished first, and looked on while Flash minced more daintily. He did -not eat all, but walked off to the plush-cushioned chair they claimed -as their own. Sir Thomas watched him curl up and rest his nose on his -white forepaws, then quickly finished the rest of the meat and joined -him. And now such a toilet began. Each groomed the other; yet, as -always, Tom tired first while Flash worked on till they both shone like -silk, when he put his long arms about Tom, nestled his head close down, -and both slept. - -The little girl forgot herself in watching them, till Billy came in, -smart and almost handsome in his best suit. - -“Are your going to church?” she asked, disappointment drawing her lips -to a tremulous curve. - -“I have to help sister, you know.” - -“But it isn’t ten o’clock.” - -“Sunday School comes first.” - -“Sunday School, too? How long you’ll be away!” - -Billy made no reply. He wondered if he ought to stay at home. - -“Do you like it, Sunday School, I mean? I don’t. I like church, -though,--the great booming organ, the beautiful singing. And when the -minister speaks I just float away into fairy-land and never come back -till he says, ‘The-Lord-make-his-face-to-shine-upon-us-amen.’” - -“I like Sunday School best ’cause I do things there.” - -“What things?” - -“I’m sec’etary; and I pass the books, and sing; and I’m--I’m giggle -squelcher.” - -“What a funny word! What do you mean?” - -“Why, you see,” Billy hesitated, for he was modest, “sister has a -class of us heathen boys, and--well, you see, it’s this way; sister -says,--she’s partial, you know,--she says I have influence; if I don’t -giggle the others won’t, and she gets on O. K.” - -“How splendid! You must go, Billy. Do all the boys mind you?” - -“All but Sour; an’ sister’s fixed him. He’s crazy over music, and she -got his father to let him take lessons, and that kid’s her slave ever -since. But it isn’t minding, Ladybird; the guys take my cue, and we -tell things we’ve hunted up in the week about the lesson; and sister -tells things, and we’re so busy we forget to be silly.” - -May Nell looked at him a minute before speaking. “You like doing -things, but you don’t like work. Isn’t work doing things?” - -Billy stooped to tie shoestrings already tidy; he was gaining time for -thinking. “I reckon doing things you don’t like is work, and doing -things you do like is play,” he explained, doubtfully. - -“But some people like their work, don’t they?” May Nell persisted. She -was exploring strange country. - -“I guess so. Teacher says every live thing that’s happy works; birds, -flowers, children; that those that won’t work shouldn’t eat. He says -the greatest joy is to do the work you like best as well as you can.” - -“I’ve never worked,” May Nell said reminiscently; “but there’s one hard -thing I’ve done--I’ve kept very still when mama has her headaches.” - -“Gee whack! That’s the hardest work of all,” Billy complimented. - -Edith came in dressed for church. - -“My conscience! How lovely and stylish you look!” The child, accustomed -to elegant dress, praised with discriminating eyes. - -When brother and sister left her, strange thoughts flitted through -her head. She heard Mrs. Bennett beating eggs in the kitchen; saw the -logs Billy had piled in the wood-box. On the wall above the piano hung -Edith’s schedule--time table, Billy called it. May Nell had already -studied it, had seen the fifty or more lessons set for each week; -and needlework on the music table, and books there the child had -discovered were for music study,--these told her what a busy woman -Billy’s sister must be. - -Yet it was very strange, they were all happy! Happier, she felt, than -her own mother with maids and money, gems, rich gowns, and her motor -car at command. Why was it? “Those that won’t work shouldn’t eat.” -Could that be true? Then she should not eat, for she never worked. She -wondered how it would seem to work. - -Full of her thought she slipped from the couch, and went to the -kitchen. “Mrs. Bennett, haven’t you some work a little girl could do?” - -The divining woman looked into May Nell’s beautiful eyes, too deep and -thoughtful for her slender body; drew her close and kissed her. “Yes, -dear, just the nicest sort of work for a little girl. You may hull -these strawberries; and if you eat some for toll I shan’t be looking.” - -The child seeing the twinkle in the older eyes, laughed aloud; and, -wrapped in a voluminous apron, began the first task that had ever left -its stain on her pretty fingers. - -Her questions brought long and wonderful tales of Billy’s younger life; -of Edith when she, too, was a little girl. The child helped to set the -table, carried in bread, salad plates, and jelly. “It shakes like the -fat woman at the circus when she laughed. How do you make jelly?” - -“Next month when currants are ripe you shall see.” - -“And help?” May Nell asked, eagerly. - -“If you wish to do so.” - -Why, it was going to be fine to work! Why had she not known it before? - -Services were over before she found time to be lonely. Dinner passed -happily. The cats stayed quietly in their chair till dessert, when they -came, one on either side of Edith, and stood with their forepaws on the -table, their heads and shoulders above it. - -“Flash has cake, Sir Thomas cheese,” Edith explained, giving each -his coveted bit. They took the morsels from her fingers, ate them -delicately, and mewed once. “That’s ‘Thank you,’” Edith interpreted. - -“It’s a hurry-up order for more,” Billy amended. - -“No more, kitties; that’s all that is good for you. Go back to your -chair.” - -They looked at her a minute, dropped reluctantly to the floor, and -retired. - -“Why, they know what you say--mind!” May Nell exclaimed, admiringly. - -“Obedience, thy name is cats,” Billy preached solemnly. - -It had stopped raining, but was still cloudy. This was the hour when -Billy usually wheeled long miles by himself, dreaming dreams no one but -a boy knows how to dream. Nothing short of a downpour ever hindered -him; thus mother and sister knew it was genuine self-sacrifice that -kept him beside the little girl through the long afternoon. - -All his treasures, pictures, marbles, mineral specimens, what not, -were displayed and explained. And finally came the books, when Billy -discovered that she knew most of his favorites, loved them as he did, -and could introduce him to new ones that promised delight. - -So the hours passed. The two women had their quiet rest till five -o’clock when they came down for the usual singing. May Nell had a sweet -voice, surprisingly strong for a child; and when she asked to play her -own accompaniment to a little song unknown to Edith, the latter was -surprised by the child’s skill, and still more by her rare feeling and -expression. - -“I can dance, too,” she said with childish pride. - -“Sister, she’ll be hunkey for the fairy queen in your Spring Festival, -won’t she? She’s a regular progidy, isn’t she?” Billy’s eyes shone. - -“Can he mean ‘prodigy,’ do you think, May Nell?” Edith’s eyes were -mischievous. - -“I mix up words that way sometimes, too,” the child excused. - -“Bully for you, Ladybird. I’ve got a backer you see, sister.” - -“I like ‘Ladybird,’ but not ‘bully,’” the little girl returned shyly. - -Supper passed. Edith went to church, Billy to keep an appointment -with his teacher; and the spring twilight settled down over the room. -Mrs. Bennett knew this would be a trying hour, and hastened her work, -inventing some light task for May Nell; hastened also the errand to -her own room. Yet though she was gone but a moment, on returning a sob -greeted her from the cuddled heap on the couch. - -She took the child in her comforting arms. “Don’t cry, little one! We -shall find her, never fear.” - -“But this is the time my mama needs me,” May Nell sobbed; “Sunday night -in the two-light time, before the stars come out, really, and when the -shadow people creep from the corners and blink at you.” - -“We won’t have any shadow people to-night, darling.” Mrs. Bennett -rose and turned on the lights, though it was not yet dark; drew the -curtains, and punched the fire till a storm of sparks sputtered up the -chimney. - -“My papa told me to be a very brave little girl, and no matter what -happened to take care of my mama. And now--I’ve l-lost her; and my -braveness is all leaking away.” She covered her face with her hands and -sobbed bitterly. - -Mrs. Bennett hugged her closer and patted her cheek softly, but let the -passion of tears spend itself a little before trying the comfort of -words. Then she questioned of the child’s parents, her past life, and -the events just preceding the catastrophe in San Francisco, that she -herself might better understand how to shield and make happy the little -waif that a terrible, heaving earth had cast into her home, her arms. - -“Papa went away to South America when I was eight. He told me I must be -very wise and help mama to do what was right,--sometimes she does take -my advice, you know. I’ve tried to be brave so God would bring her back -to me; but my braveness isn’t very strong yet, or I wouldn’t cry so, -would I?” she questioned, with a teary little smile. - -Not all at once but slowly, with mother’s tact, Mrs. Bennett won the -little heart to partial peace; and when the gate clicked, and Billy’s -voice was heard, she was almost gay. “I must be laughing when they come -in,” she whispered, “so they won’t see the tears in my eyes and think I -am unthankful.” - -The door opened on a smiling little face, though she tried to keep in -the shadow. Still when Billy kissed his mother good-night, caught -his sister in his arms and raced up and down with her, singing -extravagantly a snatch from some opera, May Nell hid her face and cried -again. - -Watchful Mrs. Bennett was not far away. She stopped the boy’s noise, -and cuddled the bereft one once more. “What is it, child? You are to be -brave, you know.” - -“Y-yes, b-but how can I when I have no one to say ‘mama’ to, only a -Mrs.” - -“You have, you have, dear baby! I’ll be your mother, and you can call -me ‘mamma’ as Billy does.” - -“And you’re my Ladybird sister,” Billy said, very softly for him, and -threw his arm about them both. - -“And, darling, I know how to find your mother,” Edith encouraged, -brushing her own moist eyes, and clasping them all in her round young -arms. “I’ll have your picture taken, and get it in all the papers--” - -“Just like a football champion,” Billy interrupted. - -“No, like a prima donna,” his sister retorted. - -“Rather like a dear little girl, that so will find her mother,” Mrs. -Bennett reassured. - -Amid the wealth of love how could the little heart refuse comfort? -Billy tossed her to his shoulder and carried her to his mother’s room, -where both women coddled her and Edith sang her into a sweet sleep. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE FAIR ELLEN - - -Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story. Her -mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the -earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness. Mrs. -Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her -little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in -a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother -at the Ferry Building the next morning. But where at night had stood -the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s -sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely. A stranger rescued -May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to -their fiery death. - -All that dreadful day the man searched for the little girl’s mother, -but their house was early prey to the flames, and he could get no trace -of her. He was only passing through the city; and having fortunately -saved his money and tickets, was anxious to be on his way across the -Pacific. Consequently nothing better offered than to send the child -with other refugees to the kind hospitality of the country. - -Edith had quickly put her plan in execution, aided by the willing -newspapers; but so far nothing had come of it, and mother and daughter -feared their charge had lost more than aunt and cousin. South America, -a very definite spot in the child’s mind, was still too vague a -postoffice address for even Uncle Sam’s marvellous mail-carrying; and -so, while encouraging May Nell, the two women tacitly adopted her into -their hearts and discussed her future as if she were their own. - -It was a blessing that even her loyal soul must yield to nature’s balm -of passing time; in wholesome companionship and the fragrant warmth -of a country spring she somewhat forgot the grief that would otherwise -have worn to death her frail little body. - -“My mama doesn’t believe in public school,” she had announced that -first Monday morning; but had gone obediently when Mrs. Bennett decided -it best. And the new life, the stimulation of study, the competition in -class, her knowledge of books, and the prestige of her story,--these -made school a delight, brought a happy light to her eye, a tinge of -color to her too fair cheek. - -Her wardrobe was a heavy drain on Edith’s purse, yet the young teacher -delighted almost as a mother in the dainty garments that won her to -extravagance. - -Billy also undertook to do his share. A generous sum of money had been -offered to the best student in the graduating class of the grammar -school; and he decided to try for it. And when Billy made up his mind -to anything connected with books, it was as good as done. For if he -had to study a little harder than some, his perseverance, added to an -unusual facility in telling what he knew, helped him to success. - -Mrs. Bennett wished May Nell to be in the open air as much as possible; -and this meant a new experience for Billy, which he accepted with -tolerable grace. - -“A girl under foot all the time,” Shifty complained. He had no sister. - -“Well, you know the other thing to do if you don’t like it,” Billy -retorted, bluntly. “She’s my sister till her folks are found, and that -isn’t likely.” - -“But if your steamer works you don’t want its secrets peddled round; -and girls always blab.” - -“You’re the only girl I’m afraid of in that line. Isn’t that so, -Pretty?” - -“You bet!” Pretty endorsed, inelegantly. - -This conversation took place in Billy’s shop, a room adjoining the -wood-house and given over to his use. Nothing short of the world in the -second verse of Genesis was equal to the chaos of that place. Every -conceivable scrap and job lot of “truck” was there in a jumbled heap; -and Billy was never happier than when mussing it over in search of -“material”; in greasy overalls and crownless hat, whistling merrily, -bringing forth to substance and form the inventions of his busy brain. - -The blandishments of soda water fountains, candy stores, and other -boyish temptations, found no victim in Billy. But if Mr. Cooper, the -tinshop man, had driven hard bargains he would have bankrupted the -boy. As it was his weekly allowance suffered in spite of Mr. Cooper’s -generosity and Billy’s free access to a rich scrap heap at the rear of -the big shop where everything, one would say, in tin and iron was made, -from well pipe, tanks, and boilers, to tin wings for Edith’s fairies -in the opera. - -Now a steamboat was on hand. At odd times for weeks, Billy, Harold, and -one or two other boys, under secrecy of lock and key, had been slowly -bringing to completion a wonderful structure. - -Billy had intended naming it _The Jean_, but Charley had stood for -_Queen Bess_, Harold didn’t like either name, and George and Jimmy had -objected to “girl kid names, anyway.” They had, however, unanimously -compromised on _The Edith_, for Billy’s sister was adored privately -by all of his older friends, adored openly and “tagged” by the -little ones. Edith, since May Nell’s coming, suggested her name. The -little girl agreed if it could be Ellen; Billy added “Fair” with her -permission; and this name he painted over each paddle wheel with no -opposition from the others. - -All was now ready for firing. “She” was to be run by oil. They took -her out through the double doors, both swung wide for the first time -in many weeks. It was all the boys could do to carry the heavy thing, -though they went quite steadily across the vegetable garden, not -without some damage to spring lettuce and summer corn, however; but on -the steep, uneven slope below, the _Fair Ellen_ came almost to grief. - -“Bear up aft there!” Billy commanded; and “Ay, ay, sir,” came back in -equally nautical language. - -“Easy, mates. Kids, belay there, till we launch her!” This to the -gaping youngsters always in the way. - -“Wharfmaster, ahoy!” Billy hailed, as they came near the water’s edge. -“Is all ship-shape?” - -“Ay, ay, sir,” came this time from two boys who had charge of some logs -lashed together and crossed and recrossed by a hash-like lot of refuse -lumber, and moored with a dog chain. - -“Mother, do come and look at the procession,” Edith called cautiously -from the trellises, where she was slyly watching. - -Billy heard her, though. “Come on, sister, mamma, too, and see the -fun,” he called, not unwillingly, for he was a bit proud of their work -now that it was out in the light of day. He had reason; it was really -an imposing craft for boys to build from scraps. - -A crowd of smaller children momentarily increasing, capered about the -sweating five. Max bounded over the high fence, breathless, fearing he -would be late. Jean and Bess hurried down the hill, each telling the -other she couldn’t spare the time for “just boys’ foolishness.” Jackson -appeared on top of the south stone abutment, halting there till Billy’s -hearty invitation brought him flying down into the inclosure. - -Bouncer barked at Billy’s heels. Geewhillikins chased an imaginary foe -down the hill, and Jerusalem Crickets crept stealthily along the upper -support of the side picket fence, trailing a venturesome sparrow. - -Even the white chickens followed in a cackling bunch as they always did -when Billy appeared at this hour, for it was almost feeding time. And -the pigeons wheeled and whirred, lighting almost under foot only to be -up and off again, a flash of white and gray. - -Behind the two women trotted a chubby baby. “I see Billy boat,” he -cried, shrilly, stumbled, fell, scrambled up again, and repeated his -refrain. - -“Why, Buzz Lancaster, how did you get here?” Edith went back and -steadied him over the uneven ground. “Phew! He smells of gasoline! -Where has he been, do you suppose, mother?” - -“I comed,” he said, calmly, “I see Billy boat.” - -“Hurry up, Buzz!” Billy called as he raced by from the shop, where he -had been for the oil can to fill the boat’s reservoir. - -“Shan’t we defer the ceremonies till we can get Charley’s little sister -and Jackson’s two weeks’ old brother?” Jimmy asked, disagreeably. - -“Hold your grouch, Sour,” Harold expostulated. - -“Please don’t call Jimmy ‘Sour,’” May Nell pleaded. “He’s big and dark -and splendid; and his other name is going to be Roderick Dhu; and he’ll -be kind to all weak things, and fight for the Douglases, and for the -_Fair Ellen_.” She waved her hand toward the steamboat. - -Jimmy tried not to look pleased, but failed. Something about May Nell -attracted him, whether it was her beauty, her fearlessness, or her -air of distinction he did not know. It was really her recognition of -something fine in him that his cold and irascible father had almost -whipped out of him. - -“All ready?” cried Captain Billy. “Are you ready, Ladybird?” - -“Yes, Captain,” she answered, her eyes aglow while she smoothed -refractory frills. She wore a wonderful trailing robe of tissue paper, -“ruffled to the guards,” Billy said. On her head was a towering cap -of the same; and a light wind bellied out her wide angel sleeves like -sails before a spanking breeze. - -She stood at the end of the creaking wharf, and one little bare arm -was lifted high. She held a small fruit jar filled with water and beet -juice. It was awkward, but Billy had insisted on the fruit jar,--“So’s -it will be sure to break; it’s the only kind of a bottle that always -will break.” - -They fired up. An ominous sizz and clatter began. Five pairs of hands -shoved the smart boat into the water at May Nell’s feet. The children -shouted. The dog barked and the chickens cackled. And above all the din -May Nell’s sweet voice rang out, “I christen thee, O wondrous vessel, -_The Fair Ellen_.” She improvised hastily; for no one had thought to -prepare a speech for the occasion. - -The bottle went crash, and a furious yell informed the neighborhood -that the Gang was “up to some new deviltry.” - -But another and unexpected crash followed, and a shower of burning oil -shot up and caught May Nell’s flimsy paper frock. - -Yet before one could think, almost before the paper had time to burn, -Jimmy sprang to her, seized her in his arms, tearing at the shrivelling -paper, and jumped far out over the flaming boat into a deep pool. - -For a horror-stricken moment no one spoke. Even the dumb creatures were -still; and Buzz, thinking it all for his benefit, watched open-mouthed -for the next act in the play. - -But Mrs. Bennett, fleet though speechless, was at the water’s edge by -the time Jimmy had risen with May Nell quite safe. She spluttered and -choked a little; but Jimmy had been so quick there was not even a red -spot on her flesh to show the touch of fire. - -She was a queer draggled little creature, with her soaked and tattered -dress, and her yellow curls all stringlets. Timidly she touched Jimmy’s -blistered hands, realized what he had saved her from, and when she -looked her gratitude into his dark eyes something awoke in his heart -that never slept again. - -“You had very soon to fight for the Douglases, didn’t you, Roderick -Dhu?” she said, as Mrs. Bennett covered her with an apron, and Billy -took her up and went toward the house. - -“I thank you, Roderick Dhu,” she called out over Billy’s shoulder with -another little choke, for Jimmy had refused Mrs. Bennett’s offer of dry -clothes and was starting home alone. - -[Illustration: Jimmy sprang for her] - -So imminent had catastrophe been, that no one thought of the poor small -steamer burning unchecked to the water’s edge while the procession -climbed the hill; no one knew till days afterward that busy Buzz had -entered the open shop and mixed Billy’s cans so that it was gasoline -instead of kerosene that he fed that fated craft. But gratitude for -Jimmy’s bravery and May Nell’s safety supplanted even in the youngest -heart all regret for the boat. - -All but May Nell; when Edith and Mrs. Bennett rubbed and warmed her she -declared she didn’t need it, and was so absorbed in lamenting the loss -of the _Fair Ellen_, she could think of nothing else. - -“So long as it isn’t you, Ladybird, it’s all right,” Billy consoled; -“we can make more boats.” - -But May Nell was not to be comforted, till that evening when she -composed a wonderful ode to “The Wreck of the _Fair Ellen_.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -“THE TRIUMPH OF FLORA” - - -After the disaster of the _Fair Ellen_, Billy promised his mother to -bar explosives from his play, a promise made readily, for “Betsey has -been giving it to me good an’ plenty for leaving that door open,” he -explained to her. Thus the Alaska trade which the boys intended the -_Fair Ellen_ to wrest from Seattle, thereby transferring some of her -prosperity to California’s stricken seaport, remained with the northern -metropolis; and they sought other outlet for their energies. - -Billy organized a real estate syndicate, and sold lots to the Gang, -“with or without liability to assessment, as the purchaser prefers.” -A Board of Trade was organized to which all promised to defer, except -Jimmy, who smiled in disdain. He leased the railroad and did a -thriving carrying trade, timber for fencing and warehouses, dirt for -filling, and so on; and was fast becoming “the millionaire of the -crowd,” when the “Board” met and decided he should cut his tariff in -half or leave the syndicate; and as Jimmy was heartily interested in -the game, he accepted their decision and no longer smiled at the Board -of Trade. - -Max, whose father was a gardener, knew wizard’s tricks with seeds and -soils; and as Farmer and Forester to the syndicate, gave his knowledge -right and left with happy importance. He taught the girls how to plan -and plant their flower beds, and started the boys on a career of -vegetable-raising that made them feel rich before they began; talked -trees to Harold and other farmer boys, and astonished his father by the -questions he asked and the work he did. - -“I haf learn for gifing avay already, but I feel more as rich dan if -they haf gif to me. How ist dat?” Max asked himself, not knowing, this -little German lad so lately come to America, that he had discovered one -of the profoundest secrets of the universe. - -To his mother and sister Billy seemed changed. He stuck closer to his -books. His teacher told them the boy stood at the head of his class. -“Jimmy Dorr may be a rival if he feels like work, which isn’t probable. -Jean’s accident last year put her behind, otherwise the boys would have -to work much harder if either excelled her.” Yet even these welcome -words did not account for some things the mother quietly observed; -Billy’s growing promptness, better attention, and memory for matters -outside of play. He was more silent, too; and there was less hammering -and whistling in the shop. - -“Billy, I don’t like the look of your eyes; you’re reading too much -at night,” his mother said one evening when he was helping with the -dishes. “You must go to bed earlier.” - -May Nell had learned to use the towel; and the two children usually -“did” the dishes at night; but now she was away with Edith at the Opera -House, and mother and son were alone in the kitchen. - -Billy had been reeling off stanzas of his favorite “Lady of the -Lake,”--“by the yard,” Mrs. Bennett said, acting it as he recited, -somewhat retarding the work and endangering the dishes. Now he dropped -his towel, caught up his mother and raced with her around the room. He -was so strong that she was almost helpless in his grasp. - -“You little bit of a woman! Do you think I’ll mind you? I’m Roderick -Dhu of Benvenue, the bravest chief of all the crew! I’m Captain Kidd, -the pirate bold, whose treasure, hid, lies yet in mould. I’m the strong -man, the bad--” - -A lot more nonsense he rattled off, squeezing and kissing her till she -was breathless with laughter. - -“Now you’re Fair Ellen and I’m defending you at Goblin Cave!” He thrust -her behind him, held her tight with one arm, while he flourished the -carving knife and called on Clan Alpine’s foes to appear. - -But the moment of frolic passed, and he turned to her with shining -face. “You’re the only mother I ever had--so far as I know--” his eyes -danced; “anyway, you’re the only one in sight, an’ a heap too good for -this guy; I guess--I’ll--I’ll mind.” - -His mood grew more thoughtful. He put the dishes away quietly, and -neither spoke again till the work was finished. Then he went and kissed -her on the cheek. “It’s good to have you all to myself, little mother; -to be just chums once more.” - -She put back his tumbled hair, looked long into his eyes, realizing -with a shock that she was looking _up_. Her little boy was gone. - -“But I don’t wish May Nell away, mother, do you?” - -“No, my son.” The answer was more sincere than a few weeks before she -could have believed possible. The coming of the child had taken from -her life many hours of association with Billy, sweet as only mothers -know; yet May Nell’s influence had softened and refined Billy, enlarged -his vision. - -He tidied himself, bade his mother good-bye, and followed the girls to -rehearsal. - -Sometimes all the small meanness of everyday life is swept away by a -great calamity, and the world forgets to hate, and opens its great -heart of love. Such an event came through the catastrophe in San -Francisco. It inclined every ear, moistened every eye. From all the -world’s pocketbook came the golden dollars; from every soul the longing -to do; and when it was done, disappointment because it was so little. - -Vina was no exception. Ball games, church collections, children’s mite -societies, girls sewing, boys running errands, each and all helped with -the relief work. - -When Edith planned to turn her pupils’ recital into a great Spring -Festival, for the benefit of the sufferers, all the town applauded, and -asked how it could help. - -Edith worked very hard. She called her operetta “The Triumph of Flora.” -The words were her own, written hurriedly and set to familiar though -classic airs. Yet many of the daintiest, most tripping melodies she -wrote herself. The sorrows of humanity had winged her brain and dipped -her pen in harmonies, that she might assuage them. - -All went well with the preparation; and on a glorious spring night in -the full moon, the town and countryside jammed the Opera House “to its -eyebrows,” Billy said, looking through the peephole in the curtain to -the high window seats crowded with boys. - -The operetta opened with a weird winter scene, when the Sower (Harold) -sowed his grain, and the gnomes and elves set upon him; and evoked -Storm King (Jimmy), Wind (Bess), and Frost (Jackson). He was the -comedy of the little drama; and dressed all in black, covered with -silver spangles and diamond dust, he made a joke that the wine-growers -appreciated, for it is the black frosts of April they fear. - -After these followed Jean as Rain. Wherever she passed the singers -bowed their heads and sang more softly, and Frost retreated in haste. - -Billy was the sun, dressed in a pale yellow tunic, and crowned with a -fillet of sun-bursts cut from gilt paper. He came but a little way on -the stage from the south for each of his short solos; and the others -pelted him back. Especially did he hide from Rain behind Cloud, a tall -girl in a small ocean of gray tulle. - -At the close of the act, in the far, high distance, the Goddess, Flora, -appeared on a hill-crest. This was Edith herself, arrayed in a filmy -gown of pale green, garlanded with snow-drops and buttercups. High, -far, and faint came her song of the dawn of Spring. But the gnomes and -the elves, Storm, Wind, Frost, and Rain, roared and howled; and Flora, -affrighted, fled from view. - -The curtain fell on the first act and the house rocked with the noise. -It is probable the audience, predetermined to be pleased, would have -approved anything offered; but so far it was more beautiful than had -been expected. - -The second act brought a conflict between elves and gnomes, and the -fairies, when first the earth sprites were victorious, but at last -the fairies. May Nell was the Fairy Queen, and enchanted all with her -beauty, her dancing and singing, and her acting, which was sweetly -childish as well as clever. - -Flora came into view, clad in palest pink, and wreathed with almond -blossoms. Wherever she stepped the ground was white with almond snow. -Gnomes and elves peeped from behind gray rocks and tree-trunks, but -fled as she came near, following the ever-beckoning fairies. - -Sun, dressed this time in bright yellow satin, and crowned with yellow -gems, was surrounded by fairies, and came more and more boldly forward. -He beckoned to Flora, menaced the earth sprites, and threatened Storm, -Wind, and Frost; and at the close was rewarded by Flora’s rejoicing cry, - - “I come! I come at thy call, O Sun! - Thy high commands shall quick be done.” - -The curtain fell a second time to still heartier applause; and the -long wait between the acts was forgotten in discussion and approval. -The richest people in town had aided Edith with her costuming and -properties, that thus every penny of the receipts might be saved for -the great purpose. They had brought out all their stores of rich -fabric, fine lace, jewels, and ornaments, for the small mummers; and -the effect was entrancing. - -The last act exhausted the possibilities of the theatre in light -effects and sylvan scenery; and the curtain rose on a gorgeous scene. -But oh, horror! In the middle of the stage the scene-shifters had left -the ugly truck that moved Storm King’s reservoir of ice and snow. When -used in previous acts, bed and wheels had been hidden by moss, the tank -had been covered by his mantle, and the entire mechanism, moving as he -moved, had seemed a part of himself. Now its secret was disclosed and -it was ridiculous. - -Edith in white, half smothered in blush roses, with the fairies and -their Queen, stood ready in the wings. Billy was also waiting his -cue. This time he was to be pulled swiftly in on invisible wheels. -Over his satin tunic was a network of glittering mock gems that must -have included every yellow bead and spangle in Vine County. From his -shoulders floated a cloud of yellow, diamond-dusted tulle; and the -crown of gems surrounded a cluster of small lights, a device Billy -himself had figured out with the aid of the electric light man. - -“Oh, Billy, Billy! My beautiful opera is ruined!” Edith wailed, as she -heard the jeers of the small boys in the audience. - -“No, it isn’t, sister! I’ve thought of a way out. Keep the kids -straight here--I’ll be back in a minute.” - -This act opened with a hidden chorus that lasted two or three moments, -the fairies on the one hand inviting the elves and gnomes to join them; -the others responding. While this was in progress Billy rushed to the -boys’ dressing room and talked furiously but straight to the purpose. - -“Say, fellows, business now, and no questions asked. There’s a hitch -on the stage. Storm, wrap that cloak round you--don’t wait for -fixings--and get to your place in the wings, quick! When I say ‘Go,’ -take Rain’s hand, crouch low, run to the centre, and between you yank -that snow tank off the stage. _Sabe?_” - -Across to the girls’ side he flew. He knew Jean. She would manage -somehow, no matter what the difficulty. And he did not trust her -without reason. She was already in her shining misty robe that was to -change her from Rain to Dew; but she caught the gray mantle, covered -herself with it as she ran, and was in the wings almost as soon as -Billy. - -He placed them before him, Rain and Storm, took his great golden horn -of plenty under his arm, stepped on the wheeled board, signalled the -super, and rolled on, driving the crouching pair in front of him with -pelting showers’ of rose leaves, and landing at his station just as the -chorus filed in. The gray pair threw their shrouding mantles over the -truck, and still crouching pushed it out of sight; and the spectators, -believing they had laughed in the wrong place, cheered vociferously, -and never knew the difference. - -Rain dropped her gray mantle behind a tree, and reappeared with her -chalice of diamond-dust dew, to touch the fairy chorus to shimmering -beauty. The gnomes, their queer masks and hunched shoulders showing -grotesquely under their gray garb, joined the fairies’ dance. Wind came -floating in as Summer Breeze. Storm was transformed to the Slave of the -Sower; while Black Frost was perched high up at the rear, grinning from -the top of the mountain. - -The Sun called to Flora, and she appeared by his side. In front of them -knelt the Sower, crowned with leaves. The Sun bestowed upon him a -cornucopia overflowing with cherries; Flora laid on his other arm long -sprays of roses. - -The fairies, gnomes, and elves, danced, sang, and retired; elves and -gnomes crouching close against trees and rocks, the fairies withdrawing -only to reappear one by one as the music went on, here and there, high -in the trees; and each had a tiny light on her brow. But just over -Flora and Sun, poised and upheld by invisible wires, stood the Queen of -the Fairies, crown, wand, and shoulders fire-tipped, her arms waving, -her filmy draperies continually fluttering, fanned by an artificial -breeze. Over all fell a rain of rose leaves. - -The scene ended in a crash of music; the curtain fell to a house wild -with cheering. Edith and the principal performers were called again and -again before the curtain. It was a generous, appreciative audience, -giving its heartiest approval by rising. - -Late that night when Billy’s mother followed him to the Fo’castle, he -asked, “Are you pleased with it, little mother?” - -“It was all splendid; and, Billy, I never dreamed it was in you! -Sister’s operetta would have been a failure if it hadn’t been for you.” - -“And Jean and Jimmy, too.” - -She stooped and kissed him. - -“That’s good enough for me, then,” he said, sleepily. And no one ever -heard him mention again his unexpected addition to the scene. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE FIGHT - - -It was a gray, cold day, unusual for May, the kind of day that accords -with ill-nature. It reminded Billy of the incident of the opera when -Rain and Storm, driven by his own insistence, had blown in on the stage -quite out of season, and dragged off with them the remnants of winter. -For the first Sunday since May Nell’s coming he took his wheel after -dinner and went off alone. He was in accord with the sullen sky and -air. In the morning he had answered his mother angrily; because Bouncer -wished to play instead of coming through the gate when called, Billy -had slammed it on his tail, knowing well that in a happier mood he -would have been more careful. - -Now he flew off down the county road at a speed that made passers turn; -but he saw no one. He neither slackened nor looked back till he found -himself at the river where the little island rose, flower-crowned. -The poppies were fewer; and where a month before the flame-flower had -triumphed, to-day wild roses perfumed the air. - -Billy halted and looked up into the threatening sky. His eyes twitched, -and he noticed wonderingly that his breath was short and his hand shook -on the handle-bar. He dismounted and propped his wheel against the -fence; climbed down to the river and sat on a projecting rock, with his -feet dangling near the water. - -There was a strange weight in his left side, like lead. He felt as -if the whole world was against him; and the future looked dark and -terrible. Three days ago life had reached out, a white shining road to -success. Only three days! He looked north to where clouds were shutting -down over the Mountain, gray to-day, not blue. _The_ Mountain, every -one called it, for it closed the valley and towered, a sentinel, far -above all other mountains in view. Billy thought that stood for him; he -was to be chained to this narrow valley all his life; struggle as he -might he should never be free. - -If he had been older he would have said he had “the blues.” -Yet probably he would not have known that his mental--and -physical--condition was a natural result of the long strain of previous -weeks. All the children felt it. That morning the cousins, Clarence and -Harry, who loved each other dearly, had come to blows in the Sunday -School room before the teachers arrived, over the question of which one -of them should marry Miss Edith. Clarence received a bloody scratch -the full length of his palm from Harry’s Band of Mercy pin; while -the careful parting disappeared from his own hair, and a red splotch -marred the whiteness of his wide collar. No one can tell what further -calamity might have happened had not the Twins opportunely arrived and -questioned of the quarrel. - -“You needn’t fight any more,” Vilette said, loftily; “we shall marry -her ourselves.” - -“Yes, we shall marry her ourselves,” Evelyn echoed; while both girls -made childish efforts to rehabilitate the depressed cousins. - -The unstinted praise of the children in the operetta, the aftermath of -buzz about the “show” at school,--this excitement lasted for a day or -so; but on this lowering Sunday tired nature put in a claim for her -own; and relaxed nerves were irritably near the surface. - -Billy had the excitable musical temperament. He spent his forces -lavishly, and it was because of this that he was a leader; could think -and act quickly in emergencies, as when he saved the operetta from -failure. Edith and her mother knew that he had lived hard through -the past few weeks, that next to Edith herself he had carried the -entertainment, though Jean had been a host also. So it pleased Mrs. -Bennett that afternoon to see Billy start off alone for the country. - -Now in the silence and fragrance his tightened springs began to -relax. Presently he found himself in a dream of possibilities of the -island,--Ellen’s Isle, he always called it; of what might be done with -the smooth places in the river, the hills, Sunol Creek not far away, -boiling and tumbling in boisterous beauty; of hidden nooks, piled -boulders, and tiny meadows, vine-enclosed and flower-fragrant. - -Had he but dreamed on for an hour or so he would have returned, rested, -refreshed, the cheery boy that helped to make the Bennett house a home. -But a voice in the road above startled him. Only a word was spoken, a -greeting; but it was surly and foreign, Italian. - -Billy sprang up. The dark man of the sinister house was passing on his -way to town; had answered a horseman’s salute. The boy could not see -the house; but on the high hill above it he saw the other brother, -regardless of the Sabbath, hoeing his vineyard. - -Now was Billy’s chance! The place was alone! He waited till each -traveller was out of view on the curving road, then climbed up, crossed -the dusty wheel tracks, and crept into the brush on the other side. -Once hidden he “snooped” silently through the tangled chaparral, coming -shortly to the mystery-house, so close to it that he could have looked -in at the windows had they been clean enough. - -A faint sound caught his ear, as of clinking coins and soft voices. -People there! He had thought it before, now he was certain. Were not -both brothers away? - -Billy cuddled down in the low-growing manzanitas, whose screen was -further thickened by a tangle of wild pea vines all a-bloom. Placing -himself so that he could watch both the house and the man on the hill, -he settled to await further disclosures. - -All the excited nerves in his body that had been resting were tingling -again. He could feel his temples throb, count the beats of his heart. -For a time nothing happened. He heard no different sounds, though he -strained his ears nervously. The moments passed and seemed hours. He -crouched motionless, but his stillness was not repose. - -What if they should find him? Gee! Couldn’t a boy run faster than a -man? Another sound banished these thoughts; wheels on the road, whose -thick coat of dust almost hushed the ring of metal tires. A horseman -before, and now a wagon; this was an unusual amount of travel for that -lonely road. - -[Illustration: A faint sound caught his ear] - -Billy looked up at the Italian, saw him take a pistol from his pocket, -discharge it in the air, replace it, and go calmly on with his work. -What could that be for? A warning? Yes; for he realized suddenly that -every sound in the house had ceased. The wagon passed from sight. He -could hear the voices of the men as they drove by, see the driver -pointing to the house with his whip; and one of the women on the rear -seat looked back as long as the house could be seen. Then the soft -mysterious sounds began again. - -Billy took no heed of time till he saw the man above shoulder his -hoe, pick up his wine jug, and start down the hill. At that Billy’s -heels grew swift. He scurried out of his hiding place, slipped rapidly -through the brush, found his wheel, and bowled off. No languor or -heaviness now in body or mind. Every atom of him was alert as on the -night of the opera, yet not so normally alert; for the evil atmosphere -of the place was in his soul, filling his teeming brain with imaginings -of many crimes. - -In this mood he turned into the main road and came upon Jackson -limping, bloody, and crying. - -“Jiminy crickets! What’s happened, kid?” Billy asked, slowing up beside -him. - -“Sour’s licked me ’cause I’m a n-nigger, ’n gave T-Twinnies some -f-flowers an’ walked with ’em. He’s back there now l-lickin’ the -T-Twins.” - -Billy didn’t wait. Like all generous natures that are slow to anger, -the passion once aroused possessed him to madness. He raced down the -turnpike, his face aflame. Ahead he could see the Dorrs’ horse and -buggy standing near the fence. Jimmy was on the ground beside the -Twins; and Billy saw the whip descend more than once before he arrived. -Had he known it the blows were make-believe, for moral effect alone. -Jimmy was giving a lesson that his Southern breeding made him think -necessary, if painful. - -Billy heard the pitiful cries of the children, Evelyn’s the loudest, -though Vilette was receiving the blows. Every drop of blood in his -veins was a spark of fire. An unsuspected power came from somewhere, -mysteriously. He felt himself lift, expand, grow strong enough to -battle with an ox. He dropped his wheel, sprang upon Jimmy from behind, -and bore him down. In an instant he had snatched the whip, broken it, -and tossed the pieces into the field beyond. “You bully! You skunk! To -horsewhip girls! Why don’t you take one of your own size?” - -Jimmy was taken by surprise. Billy was his favorite play-mate, and the -whip had disappeared before he realized the import of the attack, and -he thus lost any advantage he might have gained while Billy’s hands -were busy. But the words roused Jimmy’s anger. No boy had a right to -interfere between him and his sisters; and he struggled to his feet and -launched some telling blows. - -Billy heeded no prize-ring rules, no boys’ traditions of fair play. -Every savage instinct inherited from far-distant ancestors and sleeping -till to-day, rose, conquered the human in him, for the moment made him -brutish. And the sobs of the little girls were as whips of fire. - -The struggle was short. When Jimmy resisted no longer, but, after a -fall against the fence with his arm doubled under and back, did not try -to rise, Billy came to his senses. He cleared the dust from his eyes -a little and turned to see why Jimmy didn’t speak. He lay with closed -eyes, motionless! - -A chill as from an ice field swept over Billy. His heart seemed to fall -down, down, as far as his shoes. He noticed that things looked darker, -and his head felt light and queer. Another fear assailed him; would -he, too, collapse, leave the little girls alone with the terror of two -senseless boys? - -He roused himself sharply; found his handkerchief and rubbed his eyes -a little clearer; bent swiftly over Jimmy, who stirred when touched, -and, to Billy’s intense relief, spoke. - -“I think you’ve broke my neck, kid,” he said, feebly, as quaking Billy -helped him to his feet. - -“Jimmy, can you stand?” - -He winced with pain, reeled, and would have fallen but for the other’s -sustaining hand. - -“Here! Sit down on the bank.” Billy himself was trembling so he felt it -safer to see Jimmy sitting. “I’ll get--Twinnies, run, run to the tank -and wet your handkerchief. Quick!” - -They were at the dripping roadside tank and back in a trice. Gently -where a moment before he had been ferocious with anger, Billy wiped his -play-mate’s face, or rather, changed the mud from one spot to another, -got him to his feet again, and finally into the buggy with the little -girls by his side. - -“Can you drive?” he asked, anxiously, as he unhitched the horse. He -noticed with a second sinking feeling that Jimmy’s face twitched with -pain, that his right arm hung limp. - -“If I can’t Vilette can. Old Bob goes by himself, anyway.” He made a -brave though unsuccessful effort to appear as usual. - -“Are--are you hurt bad, Jimmy?” came in a quaking voice. - -“No worse ’n you, I reckon,” was the rueful response. Billy’s -appearance justified Jimmy’s speech; for freckles were standing out -large and ghastly from one or two very white spots on the younger boy’s -battered face. “Can you get home alone?” - -“Yes--go on quick! Here come folks!” - -He watched the three drive away, the brother holding the reins in his -left hand; the other he did not attempt to lift; and Billy’s heart -thumped faster as fear grew to a certainty. He brushed himself weakly, -turning his back as a surrey-load of people passed. - -“Had a fall, Billy?” Every one knew the boy. - -“Yes, Mr. Brown,” he answered, keeping his face from sight. - -“Hurt?” - -“My clothes mostly,” he replied, hoping he had told the truth, though -a dreadful, big feeling in his head, the humming in his ears, and the -pain in his eyes, made him guess he had told a lie. - -The travellers passed on; he righted his wheel and began his slow, -painful way home. It was still cloudy and the welcome darkness setting -in early, shrouded him as he slipped down the least public streets -and alleys to his own side gate. He put his wheel away, fed his -chickens,--though they had gone to roost,--went to the cellar and -brought meat and milk for dog and cats, and reconnoitred the way to the -Fo’castle. - -Visitors! He saw them through the window. Every step was growing more -painful,--he must get to his room. The space from the woodshed roof to -the tower room, before so easily surmounted by a swinging jump, looked -now as high and far as Mount Whitney. Back to the window he turned. The -firelight was dancing on the walls. Sister Edith was talking gayly to -neighbors who were standing near the door, and May Nell was snuggled -beside his mother on the couch, the great yellow cat, or a part of him, -sprawling on her small lap. - -How sweet and dear they all were! How peaceful it looked in there,--too -peaceful, clean, for a dirty, fighting brute like himself. What could -he do? He shivered in the cold, and the pain in his eyes increased. -Would he fall? Would they find him, have Doctor Carter, learn the -disgraceful truth? If the world had looked dark that afternoon, it was -now Egyptian blackness. - -There was a stir in the room. His mother stood--May Nell, too--and the -cat stretched lazily on the couch. Sister Edith followed the guests to -the porch, as did his mother and the little girl--the room was empty! -He opened the kitchen door, tried to hasten noiselessly, yet thought he -clattered like a threshing machine. Into the living-room he crept, and -lumbered softly up the stairs that seemed a mile long. - -“It’s time Billy was at home,” he heard his mother say as he opened her -room door; and he stumbled on more hurriedly, across the bridge--at -last, the Fo’castle! - -He threw himself on the bed and wept the bitterest tears he had -ever shed in his life, tears of shame. There he lay--hours, he -thought--determined to bear his pain and disgrace alone. Yet it was -only minutes when he heard his mother in her room, coming! - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -ON STORMY SEAS - - -Billy did not lift his face from the pillow; he was striving to steady -throat and voice. - -“Billy,” she called. - -“Don’t, mother! Mother, don’t come in here! Don’t come in the same room -with me,--I’m not fit for-- O mother, I’ve hurt Jimmy for life!” - -Mrs. Bennett caught the despair in his words, and knew this could be no -ordinary trouble to be petted away with a few caresses. Some crisis had -come that must be wisely met. She entered, knelt by the bed, and put -her arms around him. The spring starlight dimly outlined his head on -the pillow but gave no hint of its bruises. “Billy, dear, nothing you -can ever do will be bad enough to keep your mother away from you. What -is it, my son?” - -The gentle words, the tender touch, the comfort and hope in her words, -unlocked his lips and he told what he had thought to keep forever -untold. - -He kept his hands from hers, and begged her not to touch the -handkerchief he had bound around his head; but before his story was -finished, a growing stain on the pillow had oozed into sight. - -“Billy! You said you weren’t hurt, but you are!” Alarmed, she rose and -switched on the light, pulled off the bandage, and turned faint at the -wreck of the bright, clean boy who had left her that afternoon. “My -boy! You’re dreadfully hurt! I must send for Doctor Carter, and--” - -“No, no! Don’t, mother! I’ll run away! I’ll--” He groaned and left his -sentence unfinished. - -“But you may have broken bones--be seriously injured.” - -She took a step, but he caught her hand. “I don’t care if I am, he -mustn’t see--no one must,--I didn’t mean you should. Besides, I walked -home and brought my wheel; I’ll live, I guess,--I’m too mean to kill.” -He put his stiff, swollen hand over his face. “It’s Jimmy that’s in -danger.” A new note of terror came into his voice as he remembered -the pale face and limp arm; he had never seen a fighting boy look so -before. “I’m afraid Jimmy’s hurt inside, mother. What if he should die?” - -Mrs. Bennett knew better than Billy how much thumping a boy could live -through; and reassured him while she took off his soiled garments, and -started below for hot water and remedies. - -“Don’t tell--must Edith and May Nell know?” he called after her. “Oh, -all the town will--mother!” The anguish in his words halted her. -“Mother, this wasn’t a boys’ scrap at all. I didn’t think of you or--or -anything; an’ something must have squelched Betsey, she never peeped. -Mother, I felt--I felt mad enough to kill him!” He whispered the -awesome words. - -“But you don’t feel so now, my son. Jimmy will soon be well; you, too. -Then you can talk with him about it. Rest, now; that is your first -duty,” she comforted, and left him. - -Hot water, lotions, a mother’s tender hands, best of all, a mother’s -comprehending heart,--it is wonderful what cures these can make. In an -hour Billy was comparatively at ease. His sore body still ached, and -his eyes “felt like red fire on the Fourth,” he said; but the world -seemed less dark, and he was glad his mother had not taken him at his -word and left him to bear his trouble alone. - -Yet he could not long keep his mind from the struggle. “Mother, won’t -you find out soon about Jimmy, how bad he’s hurt? An’ I wish I knew if -Vilette ’n Evelyn ’re all right; it looked awful to see ’em hit with a -horsewhip.” - -“I’ll get word from them in the morning. Don’t worry any more, but -rest; sleep if you can. You can’t help them till you have helped -yourself.” - -Still, since Billy had broken his resolution of silence, he was -feverishly eager to talk. His thoughts were erratic, now in the -present, again flying back to the past. “O mother, you should be -lickin’ me ’nstead of petting me!” he broke out passionately. - -“Why, Billy? I don’t believe in whipping unless all else fails.” - -“Well, papa did. If he was alive he’d be giving it to me about now, -good and plenty.” - -“Why do you think he would have whipped you?” - -“Don’t you remember the first day I went to school, he took me between -his knees,--I was a little kid then,--and said, ‘Billy, if I know -that you ever jump on a boy first to fight him, I’ll lick you. And if -another boy jumps on you first, and you don’t fight back, no matter how -big he is, I’ll lick you then.’” - -“I guess he didn’t say ‘lick,’ Billy.” - -“Yes, he did. And he said, awfully solemn, ‘Remember, Billy, no one -but a coward strikes his foe in the back. A boy of mine who could do -that,--I don’t think I should wish him to wear this.’ And he pointed to -his Loyal Legion button. O mother, I hit Jimmy first, I hit him in the -back, and I--I kicked him in the stomach! I’ve disgraced papa’s button -forever!” His last words were a groan, and he hid his face. - -Mrs. Bennett leaned over him without speaking for a minute, but stroked -his hair softly. “Remember, with One there is no ‘forever.’ As long as -we live we have a chance to retrieve. Rest on that, my child. Now you -must sleep.” She kissed him and was silent, for a drop glistened on -his cheek she knew he would not wish her to notice. - -She thought he should be in a warmer room, but he begged so hard to -stay that she yielded. She put a bell near, that he might call her, -and went to him several times before she slept, finding him somewhat -restless, yet too profoundly asleep to be wakened by her light touch. -Outraged nature was in charge now. - -It must have been hours past midnight when Billy’s chattering voice -startled his mother. She had heard no bell; the boy himself stood by -her bedside; she could see him dimly against the window. - -“I don’t know what’s the matter,--I’m drowned, I guess.” His teeth -rattled, and the hand he put out to her was icy cold. - -“Billy! You’re freezing!” She sprang up and turned on the light. - -He was a queer figure with his bandaged head, one eye peering out, -and a long, dripping red quilt trailing behind him. “I found the bed -flooded, and put the comfort round me; but someway that’s wet, too.” He -could hardly speak for shivering. - -She clapped him into her own warm bed, and incredibly soon things were -sizzling over the alcohol lamp. - -“The tank must have run over, Billy. You forgot to shut it off.” - -“No, I didn’t forget; the water was low, and I left it running on -purpose. But it’s that west wind; she’s a hummer. She can pump faster -’n the old waste pipe can discharge.” - -Friction and mustard, hot water bags without and hot tea within soon -set Billy’s teeth at rest. - -“How in the world did you ever sleep through it, Billy?” his mother -asked, coming in from the tank-room where she had been to investigate. -“There is a small flood there. I should think the first drop would have -wakened you.” - -“It came to me feet foremost, I guess, and soaked the quilt in -instalments. I had a tough dream, too; couldn’t wake up in the middle. -I dreamed I was on a ship in a bang-up storm, and the vessel lunged -like a bucking horse.” - -“Yes, I can see that the wind, the shaking tower, the creaking mill, -would bring such dreams,” his mother said. “Hear the wind howl now!” - -“And I thought all the crew were washed overboard like chips,” he went -on; “and I was left alone. And she shipped water in mountains. And I -was cold as the North Pole. And at last she foundered, and I went down -with her. And when I couldn’t choke any more I woke up.” - -“Poor little Billy! You’ve had a hard night of it.” - -“Kinder rocky.” - -He smiled wanly, and her heart ached for him; but she knew sympathy was -unsafe just then. “If you could see that comical, crooked eye of yours -blinking at me, like a chicken asking your intentions, you’d laugh, -Billy.” - -He did laugh, yet was sober again. She was tucking the clothes close -about him, preparing to lie down by his side. But he reached his arms -out suddenly and flung them around her neck. “O mamma, the awfullest -thing in the world next to doing a crime, must be not to have a mother. -I must jolly May Nell more. And, mamma--mother, I don’t know why,--” -his voice was very low and shy, “why God’s looked out for me so good; -but anyway, you’re--you’re the whole bunch!” - -She pressed him closer and kissed him. And soon he slept. - -But his mother watched out the night. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -RED GOOSE FLESH - - -The next morning Billy had a “temperature.” His mother decided -against school for that day. At first he was glad. He didn’t care -if he had forty temperatures. He thought almost anything in the -way of fever was cooler than he would feel if the boys--and the -girls--should see his face. Not that this was the first time he had -been scratched in a fight; before he had not cared who knew. To-day it -was different,--there were things about this fight he wished he could -forget, even though he knew Jimmy was not likely to die. - -But a second idea came that made him fidget about the room, lift his -bandage and watch the children on their way to school. His record for -attendance for the year had so far been perfect. He knew that he owed -it partly to his mother’s tireless watch of the clock, and wondered -why he had not realized this before. Now it was to be broken; she would -be as sorry as he could be; and it would have counted well toward the -prize. He tried to calculate how many days he could be absent and still -have left some chance of it. The work was all reviewing, he almost knew -it, anyway. If he only had his books,--but no, they wouldn’t let him -use his eyes. - -A gentle rap halted his reflections, a sweet voice asked to come in; -and in a moment there was a rose-leaf touch on his cheek. - -“Your mamma said I was to ask no questions, and I shall obey; but I do -wish I knew how I could help you.” She touched the bandage that bound -his head. “Does it hurt you awfully much, Billy? I’m so sorry. My eyes -ache me, too, for looking at you.” - -He was pleased with her sympathy; but being a boy, he didn’t like -to show it. “I’ll tell you,” he said, eagerly, and without further -acknowledgment of her kindness, “ask Mr. Brown to give you my books. -Perhaps to-night I can see to study.” - -But not that night nor for days after did Billy look at his books. The -second morning the fever was still present, and he told his mother he -was “all over red goose flesh.” - -“Measles,” Mrs. Bennett pronounced; and though it was a light case, and -in a day or so Billy felt as well as ever except his eyes, they were -sentenced to a dark room. - -[Illustration: May Nell plays teacher] - -May Nell had been “through the measles,” yet she shared the quarantine. -Billy resented this at first. It was “no fair.” Afterward he was -grateful; for aside from the cheer of her presence she did him a fine -service. It was her clever brain that proposed to read his lessons -aloud to him; and though he didn’t think much of it at first, he soon -saw that this would make a chance for the prize which in his heart -he had resigned. - -She made a quaint picture curled in a big chair under the window, -where a lifted corner of the curtain gave light to the book, but left -the rest of the room dark. It pleased her to play teacher. She asked -Billy numberless questions, coaxed him to explain what she did not -understand. And he soon learned that one must know a thing very well -before he can tell it. He dictated some of the written work, and she -transcribed it in her prim little script. - -Yet Billy despaired when he thought of the mathematics; Jimmy-- With -the thought of Jimmy the hot blood rose to Billy’s cheek, and he was -glad the room was dark. It was Jimmy’s right arm that was broken. - -But May Nell’s ambition was boundless. “We can do mathematics work, -too. I can multiply, and divide, and other things beside, I can do; -I’ll just be your paper and pencil.” - -Billy was skeptical, yet soon convinced, as the little girl slowly and -carefully read the problems, followed his directions, and obtained -correct results. A few problems were too complicated; these the boy had -her mark for attack with recovered sight. - -Yet only a part of the long day went to study. They spent delightful -hours rehearsing the stories of favorite books, and otherwise amused -themselves by improvising tales of marvellous adventure. The school -children sent notes, the latest school jokes, and original pictures, -interesting if sometimes not quite clear as to meaning. Clarence -indited his first letter. Here it is: - -[Illustration] - -The best of all was a letter from Jimmy, scrawled with his left hand. - - “DEAR BILLY,” it read; “Shifty seen the fight. He says it was - something fierce. He says you looked like a mad bull. He was hiding - behind the fence. He says he bet on me; but he was glad he didn’t bet - with nobody, because you whipped. Shifty’s doing some of my written - work--I’m telling him how, of course. And I’m studying right smart. - Say, Bill, I don’t lay no grudge. My arm’s getting on fine. - - “Yours truly, - “JIMMY.” - -Billy read the note several times. He knew that Jimmy meant much more -than the words said; it was his offer of the “olive branch.” And Billy, -thinking over that miserable afternoon, wondered again how it had been -possible for him to feel such murderous hate for anything living. And -for Jimmy! His mate at school, in play! The picture came to him of -Jackson crying, of Vilette,--yes, it was not strange he had been angry. -But it was not his duty to punish; even if it had been, he knew he had -forgotten Jackson and Vilette, forgotten everything except the rage of -the fight. Why was it? Older heads than Billy’s have asked in sorrow -that same question after the madness of some angry deed has passed to -leave in its wake sleepless remorse. - -The best amusement of the hours of imprisonment was planning for the -performance of “The Lady of the Lake.” Nothing definite, except that it -was to be out of doors, had unfolded till now, when irksome leisure and -May Nell’s quick mind together bore fruit. - -“We can play the first canto, ‘The Chase,’ across the river in the -Sunol Creek canyon,” Billy explained, eagerly. - -“But there aren’t any deer,” the little girl objected. “What will you -do for - - ‘The antlered monarch of the waste - Sprang from his heathery couch in haste’?” - -“There ’re deer up there, all right; but of course we can’t get ’em. -We’ll have to catch a jack rabbit beforehand and let him loose.” - -“O Billy, the poor rabbit will surely be caught; and you know the stag -hid in ‘Trosach’s wildest nook.’” - -“Oh, the kids’--boys’ dogs are mostly old or else too fat to run, like -Bouncer. I guess the rabbit can get away,--too soon, perhaps. We’ll -have you for Fair Ellen.” - -“Oh, no; she must be Jean.” - -“She won’t do it; she said so before. She wants to be Alan-bane.” - -“But she’s a girl.” - -“That’s the reason. She says a boy will spoil the part; won’t get the -shivers like she will. She thinks a minstrel can’t--can’t minstrelize -properly without the shivers.” - -“Yes, that’s true,” May Nell replied, with conviction. “And Queen will -be Lady Margaret; and you are Malcolm Graeme; and who is Fitz-James?” - -“Pretty; and Charley will be Douglas, and--” - -“And Jimmy is already Roderick Dhu.” - -“But Roderick Dhu died from fighting Fitz-James; I hate to give Jimmy a -dying part.” - -“Oh, my conscience! That isn’t any matter. All the grandest actors have -the dying parts; and they die gloriously; and the audience claps and -claps and claps; and the curtain goes up, and they all come out alive -again and bow and smile; and you eat some candy and don’t cry any more.” - -“That’s bul--dandy.” - -“But I don’t like them to do that, Billy. They ought to stay dead till -the play is done. When I see them smiling I feel as if--just as I would -if you made fun of me when I cried for my mama,--it takes all the true -out of the play.” - -“As soon as I get out of this,” Billy went on, after a short silence, -“I’ll go over and fix up Ellen’s Isle for you and Lady Margaret. We can -have - - ‘--a lodge of ample size,’ - -with - - ‘The lighter pine trees overhead,’ - -but not the strong log house where----” He hesitated, and May Nell -quoted on glibly, - - “‘The sturdy oak and ash unite’; - -but I can - - ‘twine, - The ivy and the Idean vine.’ - -If I only had an Idean vine; what is it, Billy?” - -“You can search me.” Billy was about to remark further, when a -commotion arose among the school children just passing on their way -home. - -May Nell needed no second request to “catch the racket and bring it -in.” She flew downstairs, and presently up again, arriving with a -breathless story. “O Billy, the circus train’s wrecked! There won’t be -any circus next week! Some of the animals are all dead, and the fire -burned some-- Oh, I can hear them scream now, can’t you?” She put her -hands over her face and shivered. - -“Don’t feel so bad, Chick,” he comforted; “it won’t bring them to life, -and it hurts you. That’s why you don’t grow faster; your feelings eats -up all your blood.” - -She smiled faintly. “Then my feelings must be bloodthirsty, Billy. How -dreadful!” - -“Did the little kids take it hard?” - -“Awfully hard, Billy. Some of them had ‘grief swimming in their eyes.’” - -“Poor little chaps! They’ve been talking circus for a month.” - -“Billy! I’ll tell you what let’s do; we’ll make a circus ourselves!” - -“Heavens to Betsey! We’ll do it!” - -The “Lady of the Lake” was that moment deserted. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -SIR THOMAS KATZENSTEIN - - -“Billy, Flash is the cleverest cat ever!” May Nell exclaimed as she -bounded in some days later. - -The quarantine had been raised, and at night Billy had “the run of -the house”; though his days were still spent in “the prison cell” as -he called the dark room. It seemed to him that light came in with the -little girl, and all the sparkle and fragrance of the young summer -without. - -“What new trick has Flash been up to?” - -“You know that bad, old, half-tailed Tom that whips every cat in town -but Geewhillikins and Flash and Sir Thomas--” - -“Yes; he’d lick him too, if Flash wasn’t Tom’s body-guard.” - -“Well, just listen! This morning your mama set out the meat for their -breakfast. I had Geewhillikins and Jerusalem Crickets in the pound--the -woodshed, you know. Oh, they had a big breakfast before,” she added -quickly, feeling rather than seeing Billy’s disapproval. - -“I forgive you,” he condoned. - -“In a minute I heard the teentiest little mew. I looked and there was -Tom crouched against the side of the house. He was shivering with -fright, and that old tramp cat was eating up his breakfast.” - -“The darned old robber!” Billy started up and walked restlessly toward -the door. - -“I took a stick of kindling from the kitchen and crept out to chase the -thief away; but just then Flash trotted around the corner of the house. -He’s been on the front lawn all the morning watching for gophers; -wouldn’t come when we called him.” - -“That’s Flash; he always works for his breakfast,” Billy pompously -approved. - -“He ran up and touched noses with Tom like a Feegee Islander,--are they -the people that touch noses for ‘How do you do?’” - -“I guess so. What else?” - -“And Flash mewed just once, very softly. He couldn’t see the tramp cat, -for the big oak tree hid him. But the second Tom answered his mew, -Flash flew like a lightning streak, around the tree and up to that old, -stealing feline cat. And he ran-- O Billy, you’d have laughed an ache -in your side if you could have seen him run,--over the fence, he ran -again, across the street, down the sidewalk,--he never stopped till he -came to the tip top of Mr. Potter’s big locust tree.” - -“By heck! Flash is all right.” - -“Then he walked back as slowly and dignifiedly as a minister,--isn’t -‘dignifiedly’ an awkward word? I wonder if it is right?” - -“Never mind grammar, or spelling, whichever it is; what did Flash do?” - -“He went up to Tom--he was still crouching against the house--” - -“Like the lazy coward he is,” Billy tartly interrupted. - -“O Billy, he’s so beautiful and so clever; and he put his nose up to -Flash _so_ gratefully. Flash just mewed again, low as before, and -walked off round the house. And Tom went and ate his breakfast.” - -“Well, old Tom’ll have to be cleverer than I ever saw him to pay for -that.” - -“You don’t like Sir Thomas because he’s a little indolent.” - -“It’s plain lazy. He won’t even wash himself.” - -“Yet he has more mind than Flash.” - -“Mind? What do you mean by that? Anyway, you can’t prove it.” - -“Yes, I can, right now!” The little girl, full of enthusiasm for her -beloved yellow cat, went over and laid her hand impressively on -Billy’s arm. “You know the dining-room window screen hung from the top, -that has the broken catch on one side?” - -“Uh huh.” - -“Well, Tom jumps up from the outside, hangs on the sill with one -forefoot, and pulls out the edge of the screen with the other till -he gets his nose in, when he can pry out the screen and slip through -easily.” - -“Yes, he can do that; I’ve seen him myself.” - -“Well, Flash can’t do that.” - -“How do you know?” - -“I’ve watched, and called to him from the inside; but he only stands -and mews. Did you ever see him climb up and open the screen?” - -Billy could not remember that he had. - -“But, Billy, Tom opens it for him! He climbs up, gets his nose in, and -the largest part of himself; then he crowds along as hard as he can, -and calls to Flash, ‘The way is clear; come’;--you needn’t laugh; he -says it just as plain as words,” she protested. “And Flash springs up, -creeps through, and jumps to the floor, with Tom after him; and the -screen slaps to with a big noise. I’ve seen them do it three times this -week. Isn’t that a wonder?” - -“Sure!” Billy assented, heartily. “I take it back about old Sir Thomas; -I guess they’re equal partners, after all.” - -“They’re a regular Damon and Pythias, aren’t they? And we’ll have Flash -for the Polar Bear, in the circus, and Tom for the Royal Bengal Tiger, -the baby tiger, you know.” - -“Yes; and we’ll have to train the dogs,-- Whoopee! Only four weeks of -school. We’ll have to hurry if we do the circus and “Lady of the Lake” -both before vacation.” - -“Before vacation? Why, they’ll be just the things to do _in_ vacation.” - -“They’ll have to be done before vacation or not at all,” he answered, -so seriously that May Nell wondered a little; wondered still more -as the moments passed and the dark room grew very quiet. She did not -know what purpose was growing in Billy’s mind, a purpose that largely -concerned herself. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -GOOD-NIGHT IN THE FO’CASTLE - - -The silence was broken a little later by merry voices on the stairway. -For several nights the girls had been gathering in May Nell’s room. -Billy knew “things were doing” there by the sounds; the tap, tap of the -tack hammer, added to much chatter and rustling. Now May Nell caught -him by the hand and pulled him across the hall. A strange pungent -fragrance like burning spice, yet not familiar, met them at the door. -And inside, the dark hangings full of lurking shadows gave the room a -foreign air. - -The Queen of Sheba in gypsy dress, and her harum-scarum train buzzing -with gossip and exclamation, flocked in. Bess looked magnificent in a -mass of draperies that included every Oriental thing to be found in -several families. - -“Jiminy whiz! Your royal splendor dazzles me!” Billy chaffed. - -“I’m the Royal Egyptian Fortune Teller!” Bess announced, in a deep -voice. “This is my desert tent. I shall reveal the past, present, and -future to those only whom my favor shall designate. Slaves, the lamps!” - -Clarence and Harry, much wrapped in white about the head, but with bare -little white arms and bare little brown legs, came in solemnly and -placed some red lanterns on the table. Bess posed in a chair decorated -for the occasion, arranged her draperies, pulled nearer the “incense -lamp,” which was her father’s Turkish cigar lighter, laid out her -cards, and bent over them in grave silence. - -Her absorption hypnotized the others to wondering stillness. In -a moment her attitude and intensity had transported them to the -mysterious East, and put upon them the spell of ancient superstitions. - -At last she looked up and pointed a startling finger at May Nell. “Mary -Ellen Smith, my familiars, who guard the portals of futurity, declare -that you shall be the first honored. Minions, depart! Slaves, guard the -door!” - -Jean and the twins, Charley, George and some others, rattled down the -stairs; while Clarence and Harry stood rigid, with wooden scymitars -drawn, one on each side of the door. - -Billy hesitated a minute. The dim room, the wicked-looking red lights, -Bess so stern and mysterious,--this might frighten the little girl. He -ought to wait. - -“Avaunt, hesitating noddy! The angel child is quite safe!” Bess waved -an arm, partly bare and brown in spots. - -“Yes, go away, Billy; I’m not afraid.” May Nell laughed happily. Her -quick mind was delighted with the masquerading. - -Yet it was a very quiet little child that crept down to the others a -few minutes later; when asked of her fortune she burst into tears. - -Mrs. Bennett came in and tried to learn the trouble; but it was some -time before May Nell could be induced to tell. - -“She said, the Queen of Sheba did, that I’d be in danger, and some one -would save me. And I’d have a s’prise, and a hus--husband, and fi-five -c-chil-- children!” She wailed again and hid her face on Mrs. Bennett’s -shoulder. - -“Golly! There’s nothing skewgee about that fortune,” Billy commented, -encouragingly. - -“Oh, yes; yes, there is, Billy.” May Nell lifted a teary face. “Five -children! If it had been two, or perhaps I could possibly bring up -three; but f-five, o-o-oh!” she wailed again, heedless of the laughter -around her. - -Several others were summoned and returned with remarkable reports. At -last two high-pitched little voices called in concert down the stair: -“The Royal Seeress will rend the veil of futurity for William Bennett.” - -“That’s you, papa,” Clarence piped, as an anxious post warning. - -Artful Bess! Billy had treated it all as a huge joke; but now May -Nell’s depression, the unfamiliar sound of his right name, the dim room -with its shadows and half-suffocating odors,--all conspired to send a -sober Billy into the circle of lurid light that came from the two lamps -gleaming on either side of dark Bess like angry eyes. - -A few minutes later the entire Egyptian fortune-telling outfit came -down stairs at Billy’s heels. The hubbub was a riot of fun, and no one -noticed that Billy said nothing about the revelations of destiny made -to him; though later Jean recalled that in the zig-zag journey around -the park that was Billy’s evening exercise, he spoke very little to the -chatterers with him, even forgot to “jolly.” - -That night when Mrs. Bennett went into the Fo’castle there was an -unusual note in Billy’s voice. - -“Stop and chin with me just a little, won’t you, marmsey?” - -“And what’s the ‘chinning’ to be about?” she questioned, sitting on the -bedside; “the fortune?” - -Billy looked at her wonderingly for an instant. “You guess everything -that troubles a fellow, don’t you? How do you do it?” He sighed deeply. - -“Was it as bad as that?” She smiled, and smoothed back the thick, -tumbled hair. - -“Worse! She said soon I’d have to be very brave--that ain’t bad--but -I’m goin’ to be--to be a minister--a preacher!” The last word came with -a woe-begone vehemence that made his mother laugh. - -“Why do you think that’s so dreadful?” - -“O mother,” he began, excitedly, and stopped. Only lately had he -called her “mother” in his serious moments, and the name gave her pain -as well as pleasure, for it was one more announcement of the coming man. - -“Mother,” he resumed, “I know I must freeze to some sort of business, -and that mighty soon, too. But a preacher--why, he can’t be like -anybody. He never has any fun.” - -“Do you think fun the first business of the world?” - -“Oh, no,” he sighed; “I suppose duty is the first business; but duty -is such a narrow, knock-you-down little word.” His voice was tense and -hard. - -Mrs. Bennett continued her gentle, even strokes; bent and kissed him -softly before replying. “Duty looks narrow only when it opposes -inclination, my child. Selfish people hate duty; but those who live -the longest and best lives could tell you that every victory duty wins -brings an ever-increasing joy.” - -“O mother, how can there be joy if life is all work and never any fun?” -He took her hand and pressed it against his cheek. - -“There’s a little secret about work; with grown-ups it is often their -play; and they like it.” - -“Do you _like_ to work?” His tone was insistent; and he lifted his -head and looked hard at her, as if to challenge the tiniest bit of -insincerity that might be lurking back of the words. “_Like_ to work?” -he repeated with added emphasis. - -“Billy, I don’t think you could possibly have been happier on your -birthday than I was; yet I was so tired that night that I could not -sleep. The work of that day was play to me.” - -Billy threw both arms around her and hugged her. - -“And there are many times when the duty itself is disagreeable, yet -doing it brings a finer joy than shirking it ever could bring.” - -“Then I’ll be a--a preacher if I ought to. But gee! it’s rocky!” - -“O Billy,” his mother laughed, “you need not decide to-night. Besides, -it was all Bess’s nonsense. I can’t quite imagine my heedless boy in a -pulpit.” - -Billy thought he detected a touch of resigned disappointment in her -words, and looked up with a sudden wonder widening his eyes, making -them shine even in the dim light of the shaded lamp. “Do you want me to -preach, mamma?” - -“Not unless you wish to so much that you will not do anything else, -Billy. The world needs preachers of the right kind sadly; and the right -kind take up the calling reverently, though they know it will bring -them small worldly return and much toil.” - -The boy was very still for a little, but burst out presently: “I’m -going to work, mother; as soon as school closes I’ll start.” - -He felt his mother start. “You’re too young for hard work, Billy; you -do enough as it is.” - -“Yes, when you and sister turn gray getting it out of me. No, I’m -going to do real work that will earn money; and I’m going to take this -never-get-enough grub-basket of mine to a table where my own hands have -earned the grub.” - -“Billy! My--boy!” Mrs. Bennett bent over him; and he felt a tear where -her cheek touched his. - -“Feel that muscle,” he said a moment later; bending his arm, and -pressing her fingers to it. “That’s got to grow by a broom or hoe, -something besides football!” - -His words had a new ring, and his mother was wise enough to respect the -young independence in them. “What brought you to this decision, Billy?” - - -“You remember that story about a man who died for love of a girl -because he knew he ought not to marry her? I thought that sort kind of -noble, but you said there was nobler. Do you remember?” - -“No; I can’t recall what I said.” - -“You said, ‘Death is easy. It is much braver to live without the love -one craves, to do one’s duty each day, and smile as the world goes by. -That’s the finest love I know,’ you said.” - -“Well?” she questioned. - -“I couldn’t understand it then. Now I do. My own sister is that bravest -of lovers.” His words rang with pride as well as love. - -“Why, Billy, what has happened to make you think so?” - -“Last night I heard something on the Q. T. I didn’t mean to, but I’m -glad I did. I was in the pantry chuckin’ some bread an’ butter under my -solar plexus when I heard Mr. Wright tell sister in the sitting-room--I -guess some door was open a crack--that his law business was growing a -little. I didn’t hear the next words, but there was ‘please’ in italics -in his voice. But sister said, an’ I heard her plain enough, ‘No, Hal, -not till I’ve saved enough to take Billy through school.’ ‘I’ll help--’ -Mr. Wright got as far as that when this guy waked up,--knew he’d snuck -information not intended for him. So I made a noise; I scatted the -cat--no cat there--slammed the door, and kicked up a racket generally -so’s they’d know I was there.” - -Mrs. Bennett smiled. She thought they could have had no trouble in -locating Billy. - -“Then I went in an’ spoke to ’em ’s though I hadn’t heard a word, and -hustled off to bed. I thought ’most all night, and decided that sister -shan’t wait a day longer for me to grow up. I’m going to hustle for -myself, so she can get married.” - -“Billy, my little, little boy!” She lifted the tousled head and pressed -her cheek close against his. - -“I’m going to work as soon ’s school’s out; it’s for you and May Nell, -too, you know.” - -“But your school, my child! You must be educated; you--” - -“Yes, yes, marmsey; but there’s night shops where a fellow can gobble -education by the hunk, you know, and--” He paused. Even his own mother -didn’t know the pang in his heart when he thought of Jean and Jimmy, -and the others, going on together through the high school, perhaps the -university. - -Mrs. Bennett rose and tucked him in snugly. “Let us drop it till school -closes, Billy. Then we’ll talk it over.” - -“All but finding the job, mother. Jobs don’t hunt boys; and mine’s -going to be waiting for me when the school house door shuts: that is, -if I can persuade any man in the town or county that he needs a boy my -size.” - -Mrs. Bennett bade him good-night, and left him to the stars and the -quiet night. Her heart was still sore for the little boy of the past, -yet a strange joy came to her; the thoughtful, observant, earnest man -had heralded his coming. She should be very proud of him. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE CIRCUS - - -The day was fine. Billy, not long released from his green shade, -wondered if the world was ever so lovely before; the flowers so -sweet, the birds so joyous. Could it be only a few short weeks since -that gray Sunday? Billy’s confinement had quickened him, introduced -him to himself; now he looked on life with wider eyes, with a more -understanding heart. - -He was out early wheeling from house to house, where various parts -of the “show” were receiving last touches. One by one he gathered -each “attraction,” and herded them all to Jimmy’s big barn, where the -procession was to form. Some were late, Bess for one; but Billy was not -anxious about her. - -It had been hard to persuade her, though her heart was aching to join -the fun. “Huh! Do you suppose I’d be a common snake-charmer?” - -“Common?” Billy retorted, “they can’t be common. They have to have -power more’n anybody. And snake charmers ’most always are Egyptian -Princesses, or royalty of some kind,” he added hastily, lest exact Bess -should call on him for a genealogy of his princesses. - -The magic name won the day. Bess was ever dreaming of the land of -mystery, whose pictured daughters of old she resembled; and the chance -to masquerade in its atmosphere lured her. - -Max was the first to be quite ready with his exhibit. It was a queer -creature that one gradually discovered to be some sort of a bird; -though such a one had never before been seen on land or sea. Max had -arrayed his mother’s big white gander for the occasion. A turkey-tail -fan made a huge breastplate, if one can imagine a breastplate of -feathers. All the long-tailed roosters that had been killed in town -for months, one would guess, had contributed to the coat of sprawling -feathers that was tied over the body of the bird. And no one knew by -what magic the boy had coaxed some one to lend him the magnificent -peacock plumes that rose high above the little wiggling goose tail. - -In a cage of wire netting bearing the legend, “The Roc--The Egg,” the -uncomfortable gander swayed and craned his neck; and all but his voice -was satisfactory. In the bottom of the cage a whitewashed stone the -size of a small pumpkin did duty as the egg. - -A three-legged rooster appeared. And Sir Thomas Katzenstein, according -to schedule, roamed his box in great agitation, though in fine form, -impressively carrying out the label on his cage, “Baby Royal Bengal -Tiger.” - -Lying in silent disdain on his familiar cushion, Flash, as the “Polar -Bear,” did equally well; while Bouncer fretted between the fills of -the home-made, bunting-draped chariot that served as “The Polar Bear’s -Snowy Lair of the North.” - -There was a half-grown calf with an artificial hump for the “Water -Buffalo”; and Harry and Clarence were cunningly strapped together for -the Siamese Twins. - -“But they are dead,” Jimmy protested. - -“But couldn’t another pair have been born in Siam?” May Nell -questioned; and as no one felt sufficiently informed to deny it, Harry -and Clarence continued their strained relations. - -The Prettymans’ white cow was ingeniously shaped and caparisoned to -represent “India’s Sacred White Elephant”; and Jackson was the Hindoo -leader. This exhibit caused much controversy. The attendant should ride -on the neck of the elephant, all agreed to that; but the cow objected; -so they compromised by having Jackson walk. The matter of costume -for Jackson was not so easily settled, as the differing pictures of -sacred elephants presented a variation in the attendants’ garb. May -Nell,--who was to be the “Fair Princess of Bombay,”--as soon as she -could get a hearing, ended the dispute amicably by suggesting that -Jackson be allowed his choice in the matter of dress, an alternative -that permitted each disputant to withdraw from the argument with honor. - -Jimmy had the trick ponies and the trained dogs. Teaching them was the -chief joy of his life. What if there were only two ponies, and their -spots were painted on? And what if the children had seen all the tricks -over and over again? They were good as new each time. Besides, the -ponies’ one brand-new trick, when at the crack of a whip they stood -on their hind feet in unison, was so effective that it frightened May -Nell. She saw it first in the barn; and when their shod hoofs came down -she thought they would crash right through the floor. - -Jean was the Goddess of Liberty; Shifty and another larger boy the -steeds that pulled her car. But boys and box wagon were so smothered in -bunting that only the Goddess was conspicuous, standing, well-balanced, -stately, and fair. - -One tall, ambitious girl contributed a unique float called, “Lot’s -Wife Looking Backward.” She had not been certain of the color for the -desert, consequently had made the whole thing, including the wagon, the -boys, and herself snowy white. She had copied an old Bible picture, -carrying out the idea with sheets, and such liberal doses of flour, -that only a heavy dew was needed to turn the float to dough instead of -salt. However, the sun shone, and the addition of diamond dust over all -made a very realistic picture that Billy praised heartily. - -Guinea pigs, pigeons, and other and larger live stock, normal or -otherwise, masqueraded as marvellous creatures from foreign lands. - -Bess arrived at last. A gorgeous affair was her chariot, the foundation -being Mr. Prettyman’s spring wagon. Bess, with some borrowings, -Charley’s help, and her own quick invention, had made a very good -imitation of a circus wagon. Charley, the Strong Man, held the reins -over old Dom Pedro, the horse she loved, that had once been a racer. -She had discovered some very real looking, jointed snakes that wriggled -and curved in a manner startlingly serpentine; while tremendous boa -constrictors, cut from old circus posters, were disposed about the cage -in alarmingly lifelike positions. - -Bess’s coming launched the procession. People in the vicinity who had -not before known of the presence of a circus, knew it now. Everybody -talked at once, and every living thing made its own kind of a noise. -Billy as Master of Ceremonies had his hands full, his voice full too, -one might say. - -But at last they got under way and proceeded as quietly as possible -down the back street to the home of Mrs. Lancaster, where Buzz, as the -“Prize Baby of Vine County,” awaited them in his car, which was very -handsome,--one would never have dreamed it was only a large wash-tub -strapped to a coaster; flowers and cloth do make such wonderful changes -if handled with art! - -That preliminary march was not without adventure. The “howdah” on the -White Elephant where May Nell rode as the Fair Princess of Bombay, -became loose and threatened to spill its small bit of royalty. And -when Harold cinched the thing tighter the old cow bellowed so the -smaller children broke and ran. However, they were soon back, and the -procession halted at Mrs. Lancaster’s front gate in fair order. But -when she saw the imposing string of wagons, children, and animals, -known and unknown, she was afraid to trust her precious Buzz to them. - -“Billy Boy, it’s fine! It’s splendid! But it’s so big I’m afraid Buzz -will be scared.” - -“Well, why don’t you go along, Mrs. Lancaster? Don’t prize babies have -attendants?” - -“Surely; but--” - -“Oh, please, Mrs. Lancaster,” Billy coaxed. “The circus won’t be any -circus at all without Buzz. We’re to have him for a side show after the -performance. We’ve advertised _him_,” Billy pleaded well. - -“Well, the lack of Buzz shall not damage your show; I’ll go,” Mrs. -Lancaster yielded. - -And Billy did not think of it as strange till Buzz’s grandmother called -from behind the window curtain, “Delia, you surely won’t traipse -through town with that crowd! How you will look!” - -“Why, ma, the children are quite respectable; I know all their -mothers.” Buzz’s mamma looked a little mischievous. - -“You romp!” came the disgusted voice once more. “You’d better cut your -hair, and your skirts, and be a child again.” - -“I’d love to, Billy,” Mrs. Lancaster whispered; “I’ve never liked being -grown up.” - -Billy beamed upon her. He adored her, as did every child in town. - -Now the band came up, a troop of boys in gorgeous uniforms made of red -calico and tinsel paper. A drum and fife kept tolerable time; but the -wheezy harmonicas and paper-covered combs, the tin horns and clanging -triangles, quite “covered” any tune the fife attempted. Yet what -matter? It was a joyful noise; and even the horses kept step to the -valiant drum. - -Flags waved. In spite of Billy all shouted orders at once. The line was -as serpentine as Bess’s snakes that she held high and wriggling above -her snake-entwined head. Oh, she was a very realistic snake charmer! -Buzz crowed and clapped his pudgy little hands; and the Lancasters’ -small Chinese boy who pulled the baby’s car almost fell over himself -laughing. - -Before they turned into Main Street, however, the procession was in -fair alignment, and the solemnity of the moment hushed all chatter. -Billy’s most personal disappointment was Bouncer, who, unhappy because -he could not caper in freedom at Billy’s heels, let his lovely, bushy -tail, that usually waved above his back in a graceful curve, hang limp -and dusty between his legs; while from drooping head and sad eyes, he -looked reproachfully at Billy every time the latter ran past. - -But on the whole Billy was proud. “The kids showed their pluck and -stuck to their jobs,” he told his mother afterward. The White Elephant -bellowed impressively in front of the postoffice; and Jimmy’s ponies -never reared so gracefully as in front of the bank. - -All the people came out of their shops and offices and clapped -generously. A light breeze floated out the flags, and made the gold -fringe on the Snake Charmer’s cage wave and look rich and foreign. The -band outdid itself; and as the forward end of the procession turned out -of the street, a great cheer began behind them, grew and swelled, till -even the youngest child knew “folks liked the circus.” - -“To the park!” Billy shouted, his heart thumping with joy. - -“The children will get too tired,” the Snake Charmer warned. - -“No, we won’t!” came a dozen voices. - -“Yes, yes; take us to the park, papa,” piped one half of the Siamese -Twins. - -“Of course they won’t be too tired! The kids have pluck.” - -The Snake Charmer was silenced; for if the children had before this -been tired, not one of them now but swelled with pride and fortitude at -this praise from Billy. - -All went well for some blocks. There was a flattering audience at each -front door; a few honored the pageant by following. These were mostly -mothers of the younger children, who knew the possibilities of such an -aggregation of animals and boys. - -But just before they were to enter the park Bouncer had his innings. A -rabbit, startled, sprang from under the roadside bushes and ran down -the street toward the open country. Bouncer’s tail went up. He dashed -out of line, overturned the Polar Bear’s cage, and was off after his -quarry, barking wildly, with the fast disrupting cage dangling at his -heels. The Polar Bear, liberated, flew home like a streak of white -light. The trained dogs broke from their struggling boy leaders, -carrying with them gleaming bits of red paper uniform. - -The two steeds attached to the car of the Goddess of Liberty, also -deserted their task, and marked their path with bright bits of paper -and bunting. - -Old Dom Pedro, scenting fresh excitement, snorted and bolted. The -Strong Man was not strong enough to hold him to line, though he guided -the horse safely to the Carter stable, where Bess appeared suddenly, -swaying alarmingly in her flimsy snake cage. - -Half an hour later Charley went back to the disappointed remnants of -the show gathered in Jimmy’s barn, and told them Mrs. Carter had said, -“no more circus this day for Bess.” Buzz and his laughing Chinese had -been hurried to safety. The Roc had shed a part of his false feathers, -and was fast giving himself away as plain gander. The White Elephant -had also become restive, and it was thought best to transfer the Fair -Princess of Bombay from her howdah to _terra firma_. And the Goddess -of Liberty, minus her car, and a part of her draperies, and plus a -big smooch on her cheek, was somehow not very imposing. Various other -livestock became weary or rebellious, and the Siamese Twins had to be -severed to prevent their coming to blows. - -It was too bad! There could be no show in the barn. But the band was -still lusty, the trick ponies remained, the boys and girls were eager -to talk it over, and--the procession had been a success! - -Presently the little Chinese boy returned, his grin resumed, and a -large basket on his arm. - -“Missee Lancastler, she say you heap good show. Now you heap hungly. -You catchee him plenty glub.” With that he uncovered a treat that made -them forget the circus. They munched the sandwiches, the luscious -fruit, candy, and cake, and other good things from Mrs. Lancaster’s -generous pantry, and discussed the procession; voted Mrs. Lancaster a -trump; and decided to have a circus every year. - -And the shouts that greeted this fiat shook the old barn and made the -hens in the hay cackle with fright. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -THE HIDDEN HUT - - -The last week of school arrived. It was almost as good as a holiday, -for those who had made the required percentage during the year -were excused from examinations, and after roll call, released from -attendance; and these included Billy and most of his cronies. - -Mrs. Bennett spoke frequently of the change in Billy. He was growing -more thoughtful, observant. He remembered small duties, noticed if -mother or sister looked tired or ill, and volunteered help where -formerly he would not have known help was needed. Perhaps none of them -knew, least of all May Nell herself, how lastingly her example of -watchful kindness had impressed itself on Billy’s heart. - -If he was more thoughtful, quiet, at home, his hours of play were more -keenly enjoyed as they grew daily fewer. He had found a “dandy job” -that would not take him away from home; he could still mow the lawn, -and do the chores. He was glad now that he had learned various parts -of the housework, for he was to be janitor and messenger at one of the -banks, a fact to be told his mother as a surprise on the last day of -school. - -He went home after the engagement, walking on air and talking aloud to -himself. “Gee! I don’t suppose there’s a squinch-eyed ghost of a chance -for me to win that prize money; but twenty-five a month’ll pay mamma -for what I eat,--and break, I guess.” - -Billy didn’t see Doctor Carter passing in his buggy, nor hear his -greeting; neither did he see the understanding smile; the Doctor easily -guessed that Billy was planning fun. And he was; this last week of -school should be the happiest ever. Didn’t work begin next Monday? Real -work! He couldn’t catch up the bankers in his arms, like his mother, -and cajole them into favors. No; it would be all day and every day for -a hundred years! Only Sundays, and they didn’t count; for wouldn’t he -have to go to church just the same? Mother and sister would be hurt if -he “put out to the woods” Sunday mornings. And the bank people, too, -would expect him to go to church; hadn’t they said none but steady, -well-behaved people could remain in their employ? - -“Jiminy whiz! This is my very last week of boy; next week I’ll have to -be a man,” he said gloomily. - -He was soon at the “lodge of ample size” made the week before, not of -“strong logs” but of old fence-rails and willow twigs. He wondered if -the girls would be able to imagine it a “lodge,” or if May Nell and -Jean, who were to come a little later, could fix it according to the -poem. - -He decided to go first on the mountain and set his traps for rabbits; -also to mark the bounds for the “chase,” so that they could gather on -time at the island and go on with the second canto. If they didn’t “do” -two cantos a day they wouldn’t finish; for Friday must be given to -school. As it was some of them had to be at the school house each day -at three to rehearse for the “last day” exercises. - -Billy hid his wheel in the same tangle of rose vine, now all pink -and fragrant with bloom, that had sheltered it that earlier Spring -afternoon,--was it years ago? It seemed so. As he crept out of the -brush and turned to the steep tangled mountain, he saw the haunted -house, with the bare space in front. There were the two brothers -fighting fiercely! - -Billy slipped quickly to cover again where he could watch unseen. The -men’s faces were black with passion, and their low, intense words -seemed all the more deadly because strange, foreign. A coat split down -the back with a ripping report, and the boy saw the flash of a knife, -and turned away feeling sick. - -Was there to be another murder? Ought he to call? If he did wouldn’t -they turn on him--kill him? No matter. Some one might be on the road -and hear. And he could run pretty fast. Anyway he must risk it. - -“Murder! Murder!” he shouted with all his strength; and his boy’s voice -reached far up and down the lonely distances. - -He saw the men stop, draw apart, and look around. They discovered no -one, but delayed their quarrel and hurried in the direction of the -sound, exchanging short angry speeches as they ran. - -With a boy’s cunning and swiftness Billy made a running creep through -the underbrush up the steep mountain side. From a peephole higher up he -stopped, breathless, and watched them beat the chaparral round about -where he had stood; saw them go down into the road, look each way, -turn and scan the mountain; and at last slink off, one to the house, -the other to the vineyard. - -Relieved, yet with his nerves quivering Billy plunged into the deep -woods of the higher altitudes. The air was unusually hot and stifling, -and his eyes watered. “Fire in the woods somewhere,” he murmured, -recognizing the odor of smoke. - -He had left his traps,--the fight had sent all else flying out of his -mind. No matter. He could set them in some vineyard. Already the short -grass on the hills was brown, and many of the wild flowers were past -their blooming. The rabbits would be seeking the tender green of the -vines, the purpling alfalfa, standing lush and sweet, ready for mowing. - -Up, up Billy climbed. On the bare spaces, or balanced on the point of -some slender rock, he stopped frequently to look down on the beautiful -valley below; on little farms laid out checker-board fashion, -dark green squares for orchards, lighter green for vineyards, with -tree-lined lanes running between. Overhead fleecy clouds chased one -another like freshly washed, woolly sheep across the blue pasture of -the heavens. In the north the great blue mountain loomed, all its -opalescent tints and shadows hidden till the setting of the sun should -light them forth. - -Billy breathed deep. How he loved this opulent valley which was his -birthplace and home! He longed to see all the world, yet he thought no -other place could be as beautiful. - -As he crashed again through the close-grown brush he almost forgot the -ugly scene just enacted below. He had been sorry to leave Bouncer to -come with the girls; now he was glad. It was good to be quite alone up -there with Nature in her less familiar places. A dark ravine lured him. -Well as he knew the mountain he had never explored this gorge. The -delicate fragrance of wild azaleas greeted him; he could see their pale -pink bloom tipping the tall trees that rose out of the chaparral forty -or fifty feet above the stream that tinkled beneath them. - -As he climbed down, reaching from branch to branch, very cautiously, -he knew not why, he was suddenly halted by the sound of low voices. -Carefully he crept nearer. A tiny hut came in view, with an open door, -and the glint of fire within. A man was standing outside, smoking a -pipe, yet wearing hat, coat, and gloves, as if about to set off. He was -very large. His clothes were new and showy, too bright in color, too -large of check. His watch chain was massive; the big diamond out of -place with his colored shirt; and the soft silk handkerchief he drew -from his pocket was a brilliant red, and the largest Billy had ever -seen. Another man, in the doorway, was smaller and bareheaded. His -sleeves were rolled up, and his hands were stained. - -Billy heard the hatted one say “So long!” saw him start down a path -that followed close beside the stream, perfectly hidden from any one -who might be walking the crests above. The other man brought a pail and -started up the hill. - -Billy knew that the man was going to the spring for water; knew where -it was hidden, far in the woods, big and round, deep and clear! It was -more than a hundred yards away at least. He waited and listened till -the noise of snapping twigs was hushed, then crept down and peered into -the hut. The place was so small there was no need of entering; he could -see all the interior from the sill. - -What he saw there lent wings to his feet. - -He climbed cat-like to the crest again, slid through the brush, dashed -across bare spots, jumped from rocks that jutted in his way, struck -stones but righted himself before falling, truly “hit only the high -places,” as he breathlessly told the girls waiting for him at Ellen’s -Isle. - -“No ‘chase’ to-day, girls. I’ve got business in town.” - -“Oh, chuck the business,” Jean said impatiently. “Can’t it wait till -noon? I must go home then.” - -“No, it can’t wait one minute longer’n it’ll take me to get to town. -Maybe I can come back though.” - -“You’ll have to break the record if you get here before noon.” - -“Billy, let me plan,” May Nell interposed. “We’ll work hard to fix -up the Lodge before Jean has to go home. I’ll stay and wait for you, -and Bouncer with me; and I’ll search for my Idean vine. I must have -something that will do for that. I wish I could find a real one.” - -“I hate to have you stay without Jean,” Billy objected. - -“What’s the harm? She’s on Mr. Potter’s land, and the road’s near.” - -“And Bouncer’s here,” May Nell added, hugging the dog affectionately. - -“All right. I’m off!” - -“But you haven’t told us what hurries you so,” Jean called, while Billy -was already sprinting away. - -“Can’t stop. It’s private anyway.” He waved his hand, ran across the -foot-bridge and down the road, dodged into the brush for his wheel; and -in a moment they heard his shout as he sped by toward town. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE - - -The girls worked hard to bower the interior of the Lodge with -evergreen; to spread and hang the rugs they had brought; but before -their task was finished distant whistles warned Jean. She took -Bouncer’s face between her hands and charged him with May Nell’s -protection as if he were human. And Bouncer wagged his tail, and in a -short, sharp bark pledged himself as if he were human. - -“Don’t go off Mr. Potter’s land, will you, May Nell? The fenced part, I -mean. Eat some lunch soon; Billy may be gone an hour longer. Good-bye. -Don’t get too tired. I’ll send Clarence if I can find him.” - -Jean, too, crossed the little bridge, climbed the fence, mounted her -wheel, and rolled off down the dusty road. - -May Nell watched the flying figure turn out of sight around the -mountain; and for a minute the forest grew absolutely still, and the -child began to tremble. But a meadow lark, almost from under her feet -it seemed, sent forth a rippling song; across the river her mate -replied. A flock of white ducks came waddling and quacking from the -opposite field, plunged into the water, and swam about noisily, tipping -their little tails up and their big bills down as they reached for -submerged morsels. Bouncer made a swift circuit of the Lodge, sniffing -now and then questioningly; but came soon and sat down in front of May -Nell; put his paw on her knee and gave her another short bark. - -“Good dog! I understand you, Bouncer, and I’m not lonesome any more.” - -She opened the lunch pail and gave him a scrap from it; ate a sandwich -herself; and in a moment started off to find the Idean vine. Nothing -appeared that fitted her mind’s picture of that creeper; but she found -a great sheet of delicate wild clematis, covering the tangled roots -of a fallen oak with its pale green tendrils. The earth was soft, the -roots easily lifted; and shortly she had masses of it uprooted and -trailing after her to the Lodge. - -Many times she had seen Mrs. Bennett transplant the garden flowers, -had helped; now she put all her lore to use. Patiently she toiled with -brittle sticks and pointed stones till the vine was replanted against -the rude walls; emptied the dinner pail and trudged back and forth to -the river several times for water, to wet the earth above the roots; -and patted it down with muddy little hands. - -She was happy and the time passed unnoticed till she had finished, and -put the food back in the pail, when a queer, dizzy feeling came upon -her and she sank down on one of the rugs. - -“Why doesn’t Billy come?” she asked of Bouncer; and the dog ran out of -the door and stood on three legs, one forefoot lifted, his eyes fixed -on the spot where Billy had disappeared. But no master was to be seen, -and he went back to May Nell, whined, and put his nose on her knee. - -“My stomach’s crying so I’ll have to eat one more sandwich, Bouncer. -It’s a shame when Billy isn’t here. I’ll give you half, old dog.” - -She put out her hand for the pail but stopped suddenly, for the dog -growled; and the next instant the room darkened, and a man stood in the -doorway. - -May Nell looked at him with wide eyes. She saw that he was not a -vineyard workman, his clothes were too fine. She did not see them in -detail, the large checked trousers, the shiny gloves, and the big -diamond, but she felt instinctively that one who could dress so was -different from the men she knew. And the look in his face made her -cold. - -“Well, Miss Smith, are you alone here?” - -How did he know her name, she wondered, yet answered more bravely than -she felt. “Yes, sir.” She thought it best to be as polite as possible. -“I’m alone now, but the boys are expected every minute.” She would say -“boys” even if Clarence didn’t come; it sounded more protecting. - -“You’re George Rideout Smith’s kid, ain’t you?” - -[Illustration: “You’re George Rideout Smith’s kid, ain’t you?”] - -“Yes; but I’m afraid my papa’s dead, he’s been gone so long.” How she -hated that word “kid.” - -“Well, he ain’t dead; he’s alive and bully, with a wad that bulges. I’m -going to take you to him.” - -“Right--now--are you?” The arm that was around Bouncer tightened, and -she thought her “heart would fly right up into her throat.” - -“Yes, right now.” He stepped nearer, and Bouncer growled and bristled. - -The man swore and looked for a cudgel. - -“Oh, please, mister, sir, don’t hurt Bouncer. I’d rather you’d hit -me. He’s the best dog ever lived, and I won’t let you hurt him.” Her -courage grew as she spoke, and he stopped his search and glanced her -way. She looked up, bravely pleading for the dog she hugged harder. - -“You’re a plucky kid, all right,” he replied, touched more than he -would have admitted. “I won’t hurt the dog if you do as I tell you.” He -looked for a cord or rope, but found none, and pulled from his pocket a -red handkerchief. “Tie this around his neck; let one end hang down.” - -The child obeyed, but her fingers trembled; and Bouncer whined and -licked her hand. - -“Pull it tighter.” - -That was not difficult, for the soft silk slipped into a knot as strong -as if tied in hemp. - -“Bring him here.” The man stepped out and laid his hand on a sapling -that grew beside the Lodge. May Nell followed with the dog. - -“Now hold his head between your hands and tell him not to touch me.” - -The child was “boiling inside,” yet she believed Bouncer’s life -depended on her obedience. And anyway, Billy would come in a minute. -Oh, why wasn’t he there now! - -The big hands in spite of the shiny gloves tied the dog fast and very -close to the tree. “Now give me that dinky ribbon from your hair,” he -commanded, and tied the growling dog’s forefeet together. And May Nell -knew the man’s voice was gruffer when Bouncer was helpless. He gazed -at her reproachfully from eyes that moved though his head could not. -She would never forget those sad eyes that followed her when she was -ordered away. - -She glanced down the road, and swiftly around. Not a soul in sight. -Obedience was inevitable. - -He held out his hand, but the little girl put hers behind her. “I’ll -come by myself,” she said with dignity. Whatever happened that dreadful -man should not touch her. - -He laughed coarsely. “George Smith’s kid, all right. You’ve got the -same high way with you.” - -“Where are you going to take me?” she asked, trying to equal his long -stride. - -“Where you’ll be safe till I let your father know I’ve got you.” - -“But you said you would take me to him. I thought you knew where he is.” - -Again he laughed, and patted May Nell roughly but not unkindly. “I do; -but there’s preliminaries before I get you two together. _Sabe?_” - -May Nell didn’t understand, but thought it best to answer in the -affirmative. Beyond that she said nothing, but trudged along by his -side till they came to the road and turned toward the haunted house, -when he took her suddenly in his arms and walked on in the deepest of -the dusty ruts. - -“I can walk,” she said, struggling to be put down. - -“So you can, but I’ll carry you just the same.” His smothering hold -warned her to quiescence; and she did not stir till he set her within -the rear door. - -“Do you live here?” she questioned with an irrepressible shudder. - -“No; but I stop here sometimes. Are you afraid of ghosts?” - -“Oh, no; there aren’t any. Billy says so, and he knows. He knows, too, -that there are other people here beside the Italians.” - -The man faced her abruptly. “The devil he knows!” - -“Does he?” May Nell stared innocently into the darkening eyes. “I -should think that would make you awfully agitated.” - -For an instant he looked as if he would beat her. Then his face broke -into a smile that held no fear for her. “Say, kid, you’re up to the -limit; and I’m on the square with you. In three days, if you obey me, -you’ll jump into your dad’s arms. I’ve got to lock you up now; but -nothing’s going to hurt you, and I’ll see that you’re comfortable.” - -Locked up! The child’s heart beat stiflingly; yet she did not cry out; -she thought self-control would win her more favor than tears. - -“This isn’t so bad,” he continued, as he led her into a sunny upper -chamber that looked on the mountain in the rear. “And it’ll be all over -in a day or so; you’ll see your father,--on the square you will, little -kid. Do you think you’ll scream? You’d better not.” He put his hand -under her chin to lift her face, and she was glad he wore gloves. - -“I’ll not make a noise, and I’ll--I’ll try not to cry; but I’m afraid -I’ll ha-have t-to,” she faltered, struggling to hide her eyes that grew -moist in spite of herself. - -Again he patted her shoulder, and this time his voice was more kind. -“You’re a brave little girl, and if I was your dad I’d be dead stuck on -you. Just you don’t be afraid. I’ll bring your supper by and by.” - -He went out. May Nell stared after him, dazed and trembling. When the -key turned in the lock she looked around wildly; ran to the window -and tried it. It was nailed down. For a second she stood quite still, -gazing straight before her. Then the horror of her plight swept over -her; she threw herself on the bed, a crumpled little heap, buried her -face in the pillow, and sobbed piteously. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -AGAINST THE FIRE - - -Doctor Carter was not in when Billy arrived at his office breathless -and hatless. He had not foreseen this. All the way to town his thoughts -had raced with his wheel. He had planned how he could tell his story -the quickest; had thought of no other ear for his confidence than -Doctor Carter’s, the kind, all-understanding physician who had fought -valiantly if losingly to save Billy’s father; who had ever since been -the most thoughtful of friends as well as the best of physicians. -He seemed to Billy the only man to trust with his secret. This was -something that could not be told to the best mother in the world, even -not considering the fright it would give her; it was quite out of a -woman’s world. - -The boy went into the street again, mounted and rode rapidly round the -corner. His own home was across the way; his mother might see him at -the office and call him. But once out of sight he stopped to consider -what came next. Who was the right man to tell after the Doctor? The -Sheriff! - -A shiver chased up and down Billy’s spine. He knew the Sheriff by -sight only; and he was so inseparable from the handcuffs the boy had -seen protruding from a pocket, that Billy felt it would “almost fasten -suspicion on a fellow just to be seen speaking to the officer.” - -But a familiar sound came to his ear, and he turned to see the Doctor’s -splendid bays pounding down the street, pulling the buggy almost by the -taut reins. Billy followed quickly and was soon closeted with the man, -who listened, first with a smile, afterward with grave attention. - -“My boy, you have done a wonderful thing!” he said when Billy had -finished. “You must come with me and tell your story again. If it -comes out as I think, you’ll earn at least a thousand dollars.” - -Half paralyzed with astonishment Billy went with the Doctor to the -Sheriff’s office; but he was out and the deputy didn’t know when he -would return; thought it might be within an hour or so. There was -nothing to do but wait. Billy’s perplexed, baffled face touched the -Doctor. His temples were already gray, but he had not forgotten how a -boy feels. - -“You don’t want to see your mother now, do you, boy? No more do you -feel like jabbering with Bess at our table. Come over to the hotel, and -we’ll lunch together.” - -“But Mrs. Carter’ll expect--” Billy began, yet stopped, for the -physician was laughing. - -“A doctor’s wife gets over ‘expecting’ very young, Billy. They won’t -think I’m dead if I don’t come home to lunch. But your mother?” His -inflection finished the question. - -“She’ll be all right. May Nell and me--I--we took our lunch and went -over to Potter’s pasture. Shoot! She’s waiting now! I hope the poor -little kiddie--little girl--eats, don’t wait for me,--she an’ Bouncer.” - -“Oh, she’ll eat when she gets hungry, never fear.” - -But Billy thought with pride that May Nell was one person he knew -better than the Doctor. - -They turned into the town’s finest hotel, just opened. - -“I didn’t--I haven’t washed. I’m--” All at once as Billy walked through -the tiled entrance, and felt himself in the midst of splendors he had -viewed only from without, he was overcome with the suspicion that he -looked rather queer beside the immaculate Doctor. He knew his hair -“stood up all ways for Sunday”; and his face must be dirty. “But they -won’t know how dirty,” he reflected; “this is the time them plaguey -freckles’ll get in an’ hide the dust.” Freckles were Billy’s sorest -point. - -“Come with me, Billy; I must wash up. I’ve had a dusty drive up Spring -Mountain; you know the roads aren’t watered up there.” - -Billy looked the Doctor over and wondered. He was not subtle enough -to suspect the Doctor’s purpose. “Golly! I’d hate to have to wash as -much as a doctor,” he exclaimed, as they stepped into the exquisitely -appointed lavatory. “You look now like you’d just had a Turkish bath. -But I’m glad of the chance for myself.” He surely did look better when -the two came out and crossed to the big dining-room; though there was -a tell-tale streak around his neck, and his crown lock stood stiff and -divided. - -At first he could not eat with relish, his mind was so distracted with -admiration of the magnificent room, and impatient to get his worrying -secret off his heart and conscience. But his wise host ordered so -artfully, and filled the intervals of waiting with such delightful -stories and anecdotes, explanations of the decorations, funny facts -or conjectures concerning the hotel and guests, that before he knew -it, Billy had, he told his mother afterward, referring to his stomach, -“loaded her up to the guards, ’nough to make you ’shamed of me, mother.” - -When they entered the Sheriff’s office again it was two o’clock. He -was there, and gave Billy a private audience far more graciously than -he would have done had not Doctor Carter’s presence been voucher -for the importance of the matter. When the boy repeated his story, -less confidently, less dramatically than before, yet not needing the -Doctor’s comment to prove its value, the Sheriff drew a long breath and -emphasized it with a blow of his fist on the table. - -“That’s the gang we’ve been hunting through five counties. Boy, you’ve -done what the State’s been trying a long time to do. The reward’s a -good lump; if we bag the game you shall have your share.” - -Billy looked on wide-eyed, as the Doctor said with a puzzling smile, -“And, Sheriff, if I don’t think you divide fair with my friend here, -you’ve got me to deal with next election. See?” - -“All right, Doc,” the other replied a bit gruffly; “suppose we catch -’em before we fight about the divvy.” - -It took a very short time to gather the posse, instruct it, and set -out for the mountain. The Sheriff gave Billy an old hat and bade -him to a seat behind the swift horses; and Billy obeyed, feeling a -strange elation as they set out. It was just like a story. Could it -be he, plain Billy Bennett, that was assisting the State to find -long-sought-for criminals? The horses flew, yet Billy thought they -would never arrive at the turn in the road where they would leave -them. He felt as if in some unknown way the man at the hut would surely -know of their coming, would hide, destroy, perhaps carry off all that -would convict him, and the other, the big man,-- Oh, would they never -be there? - -But a different and sudden fear leaped in both hearts as they -rounded the shoulder of the mountain. The air had rapidly grown more -oppressive; now they knew the cause, the forest was on fire! - -June had been unusually warm and dry, and careless early campers had -already started their annual conflagrations. Now high over the crest of -the mountain the flames came sweeping down; came with the wind from the -valley on the other side where they had raged till fuel was exhausted. - -“Great Scott, boy! We’ll have to hurry. We must get up there before the -fire gets down. Do you know the shortest way?” - -“Yes,” Billy answered breathlessly as he leaped from the buggy; “but -we’ll have to go in the way I did if you want to catch ’em sure. We can -come out by the trail.” - -They tied the horses, and once hidden from the road, shed every -superfluous garment. Billy was quite ashamed of the chill he could not -help when he saw the handcuffs, pistols, and cartridges disposed neatly -and conveniently about the Sheriff’s waist. They looked so vicious, -“disrespectable.” - -The heat and smoke increased alarmingly as they went on, the man -puffing at the boy’s pace. In and out, occasionally doubling and -returning but never losing altitude, Billy crashed on. His slender body -slipped through underbrush by way of small apertures that would not -admit the man’s greater bulk; he had to break his way. The boy, also -accustomed to running, climbing, had the advantage of better breath; -though the other could not, Billy still held his mouth shut against -the suffocating smoke, kept his smarting eyes partly closed. - -The roar of the flames came dreadfully near. Trees cracked, crashed and -fell, sending up columns of sparks and cinders that dropped about the -panting climbers. Billy began to wonder if he would hold out to the end -of his task. His boy’s agility had easily outdone the man’s; but he had -made the trip once before that day, had ridden from town at a killing -speed; and now his endurance was almost at an end, while the Sheriff -was getting his “second wind.” - -They came to the crest of the gorge. “We’ll have to slow up and zig-zag -down carefully or they’ll hear us an’ get away,” Billy suggested. - -“They won’t be watching for visitors,” the man answered; “they’ll be -hiding the plant and skinning out of here,--if they haven’t already,” -he added apprehensively. He stood back to the wind and scanned the -opposite bank. “There they are, two of our fellows; the chaps haven’t -escaped in that direction.” - -As ordered two of the posse were closing in from the west toward the -rendezvous. A few more steps and the four met. Those who had been -ordered to beat the mountain about the spring were waiting below; the -fire had perfectly policed that territory. - -As the four descended the air in the gorge became clearer. They -approached the hut stealthily; and when in full view of the closed -door, the Sheriff told Billy his part of the work was done, and ordered -him home out of the fire. - -“Oh, Mr. Sheriff, you won’t send me off now, will you, when the -business is just beginning?” - -In spite of the grave situation, the officer smiled at Billy’s -entreating words, remembered suddenly the danger from both fire and -possible lurking desperadoes. “All right. Get behind that tree, and -stay out of the reach of stray shot.” - -The three men lined up in front of the closed door, and one of the -deputies quickly threw it open. For an instant the officers stood -motionless with weapons drawn. Billy watched with fascinated eyes; -the moment the door opened forgot orders, ran and crouched behind the -Sheriff, peering under his uplifted arm. There in the lurid firelight -that streamed through the closed window, stood the two men he had seen -before, hands up, rigid, staring into pistol barrels. Floor boards were -torn up; strange vessels, scales, various paraphernalia Billy could not -understand, lay about them; while in a deep hole they had dug, a small, -iron-bound chest was partially covered with earth. The men’s faces were -smutched, streaming with perspiration, and pale with terror. - -“Just in time, I reckon,” the Sheriff said facetiously; “pull up that -chest and come along to our party.” - -Fight gleamed in the big man’s eye, and for the breath of an instant he -hesitated. - -“Come, come! We can’t be cremated while we wait. Mush!” - -The Sheriff was a small man with fair, curly hair like a girl’s; but -there was that in his eye that reinforced his pistol, made the big -fellow quail, the other mutter a low warning. The two lifted the chest -by its strong handles and stepped out. - -In the short moments that had passed since their coming the Sheriff saw -that the fire had gained perilously. Instead of sparks great flaming -brands dropped all around them; the crests of the ravine were sheets of -fire that swept downward, wrapping every tree and shrub in their path, -making of the pines huge towers of flame. - -“There’s a better way,” Billy called, when the deputy leading started -to climb back as he had come. “Follow the creek; there’s a trail.” - -“That’s good news. Run ahead, boy, and show us the way. Fly, fly!” - -Billy needed no hurrying. He dashed off along a well defined path, free -from hindering branches. It hugged the brawling stream, crossed it -more than once by way of stepping stones, and led on past the already -shriveling azaleas. It must have been long used to be so clear. - -Billy ducked his head into the cooling water, filled his mouth, and -ran on. He could hear the painful breathing of the prisoners bearing -the chest. It looked heavy, and he knew it was hard to carry, walking -single file down the steep trail. How awfully they must feel, Billy -thought. It was like the children in the fiery furnace. Did the men see -that this was a tragic beginning of the just penalty for their sins? -Cheats! Robbers! No, not robbers, boldly risking life for booty, but -cunning thieves, stealing from their fellow men, from widows, orphans, -perhaps from his own mother; she had taken a counterfeit piece only a -little while before. - -The heat was awful; yet it was growing less, for the fire was nearly -spent, but Billy was so exhausted he did not perceive it. He began to -stumble, to see double. Everything seemed to be on fire,--trees, rocks, -even the water gleaming from overhead flames. His blood felt hot in his -veins; and long afterward he saw red in his sleep. At length his foot -caught in a root, and he fell heavily. - -They came upon him a second later, insensible, his head bleeding from -a scalp wound. Hurriedly the Sheriff lifted him close to the brook, -dashed water over his face, washed out the cut a little, and bound it -with his handkerchief, not untenderly if in haste; for Billy had won -something more than his approval. - -“Oh, don’t wait for me,” Billy exclaimed, opening his eyes suddenly; -“you won’t catch ’em! The fire’ll get there first! Hurry! Leave me -alone, I tell you!” - -The Sheriff smiled at the note of command in the boy’s incoherence. -“Not on your life, sonny,” and his voice softened; “we’ve got to have -you in our business. Help him along,” he said to one of the deputies, -as they came a moment later to where the path broadened; while he -walked behind covering the panting prisoners. - -Presently they came to others of the posse, and after that to a -long line of farmers and other citizens, fighting desperately but -successfully against the dying flames. - -The clearer air revived Billy, and he was soon walking without help, -coming shortly to the road where the wagons waited; coming in sight of -Ellen’s Isle. - -May Nell! Where was she? He had forgotten her! It must be -three--four-- Oh, how late was it? Was she safe? Or had she fainted -from fright; and was she lying there now, helpless? He looked across -the plashing river to the green, blossoming isle, grateful for water -and grass and green shrub, and the sheltering Lodge that would keep her -safe from the fire. Yet the terror of being there alone, of seeing that -awful sheet of flame sweep down the mountain to her very feet,--perhaps -a fainting spell,--that surely must have followed,--with no one there -to revive her, it might be--fatal! - -“Oh, Betsey, give it to me!” he whispered in agony of soul. “Don’t let -up’s long’s I live! Maybe I’ve killed her!” - -But even as he looked he saw two people coming; his mother and Jean, -crossing the foot-bridge that led to the pasture side of the river. The -throbbing in his head, the stifled lungs, interest in the capture of -the prisoners,--all faded before this terrible dread. - -“Let me go, please!” he pleaded. “There’s a little girl, our refugee, -over there, fainted, I think, perhaps--dead.” - -The Sheriff wondered at the boy’s vehemence, yet was too busy loading -the wagon to pay much attention to him. “Think you’re fit, sonny? You -look all in. Better ride to town--we’ll send some one for the little -girl.” - -“Oh, no, no! I’m fit--I must find her myself--right now!” - -The man gave him an affectionate slap. “Go, then. You’re a right game -kid, sure.” - -Billy was off, fear lending fleetness to feet that a moment before had -been leaden. He overtook his mother and Jean in the path to the Lodge. -“Have you come for her?” he panted. “Do you think she’s alone still?” - -“What has happened to you, Billy?” his mother questioned sharply as she -turned at his voice and saw his damaged head. “You’re hurt, Billy!” - -“Not a bit!” His words were strangely impatient. “I’ve got to find -her!” He started past them. - -“Wait, Billy! You _are_ hurt, badly. Let me see.” She put out a -detaining hand. - -But he was not to be hindered. “It’s only a scratch, mother; you can -fuss it up all you want to later; but you mustn’t stop me now!” He -pulled away from her and bounded up the path. - -“It’s my fault, too, Mrs. Bennett; don’t put the blame all on Billy,” -Jean half sobbed; and hurried after him. - -But Mrs. Bennett wasn’t blaming any one; she didn’t really know what -the excitement was all about. - -Before he emerged from the leafy path Billy heard well-known whining, -and wondered why the dog didn’t come to meet him. The next instant he -saw him straining against his bonds. - -Bouncer tied? That red handkerchief! The boy went cold and pale. -Before he looked he knew that May Nell was not there. He turned his -white face to the others as they came up. - -“She’s been stolen, mother! But I’ll find her--I know where to look. -Don’t be afraid, mother, I _will_ find her!” he repeated with grave -emphasis, as he whipped out his knife and cut the dog loose. - -“Billy! Who could steal our little girl? I cannot think it. She’s gone -with some of the children to watch the fire.” Mrs. Bennett’s words were -braver than her face, for in her heart she felt Billy was right, though -she wondered why. - -“They’ve stolen her, all right. I don’t know why, but I know who,--it’s -the Ha’nt people!” Billy panted, coming out of the Lodge. - -“O Billy!” Jean gasped, fear for the little, delicate girl in that eery -place lending sympathy to her voice. - -“Are you sure, my boy? I’ll go with you--” - -“No, no, mother! This is business for only Bouncer and me.” He caught -up the cut handkerchief and called the dog before his mother could -hinder. “Find her, Bouncer! Find May Nell! Sic ’em!” he shouted, and -set off heedless of his mother’s continued protestations, after the -bounding dog. - -“You can send some one after us, a man--not you, not either of you,” he -called back over his shoulder, and was soon out of sight. - -Jean was for following in spite of Billy’s commands; but Mrs. Bennett, -full of apprehension, insisted that the girl should go with her; and -the two set out in search of help. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE BRIDGE TO SAFETY - - -Neither boy nor dog paused till they came to the dusty road. There -Bouncer stopped and ran excitedly about the spot where the big man had -taken May Nell in his arms; doubled back on his track, stopped again, -and looked up at Billy, perplexity written all over his face. Billy -encouraged him with word and caress; but he came at last, put his nose -against Billy’s knee, and whined apologetically. - -“Never mind, Bouncer. I’ve another card up my sleeve!” He patted and -hugged the old dog till his tail waved once more gracefully over his -back. “Here! Try this. Sic ’em!” Billy thrust the scraps of red silk -under his nose; and in an instant Bouncer was off after the new scent. - -“I knew it!” Billy panted feverishly. “The Ha’nt!” Heedless of the dog -running with his nose close to the ground, Billy rushed on. His shirt -was torn, his trousers hanging by one suspender, his shoes cut and one -tap turned back. Ashes whitened his hair; though at the back a dark -mat was still damp from oozing blood,--the handkerchief that had bound -it had been torn off by a twitching twig. His smarting eyes watered so -that he could hardly see his way. Yet of all this he was unconscious. -Weariness, pain, his cracked and bleeding lips,--he knew nothing of -them, felt nothing. - -It was as if some tremendous force had taken possession of his tired, -stricken body, and carried it on with no volition of his own. Afterward -he remembered, understood; knew it was his own will that rose and ruled -every bodily faculty; knew, and was glad, for that day he stepped into -a realm of power he should never lose as long as he lived. - -In front of the stone steps that led up to the barred door he -hesitated; but the dog raced round to the rear. Instantly Billy -followed. - -What if the Italians should be there? Impossible. Surely they would -be on the mountain fighting fire. What if the door should be locked? -The thought made him tremble, yet he hurried on and softly tried the -handle. It would not open! - -Baffled, yet knowing he had expected it, he ran this way and that, -peering round each corner, scanning the bare, high walls to see if by -chance some window had been left unbarred. Not one less than a dozen -feet from the ground! He ran back to the door, was almost tempted to -shake it, yet knew that would be a foolish trick; some one might be -within guarding May Nell; might at the first noise still more securely -hide her,--they said there were fearfully deep and dark cellars under -that house! She might come to--to some dreadful harm! - -In desperation he stood still, gazing at the windows above; -reprimanding the dog sharply when he whined, though his fingers -unconsciously patted away the sting of the rebuke. - -The solid rock of the mountain had been cut away from the rear of the -house to form a natural, paved court. At the top was a small chicken -coop, its wall flush with the wall of rock; and near it grew an oak -sapling not larger than Billy’s arm. - -It quickly occurred to him to run around and climb up there by the -coop. Perhaps he could see into the windows--perhaps see-- He didn’t -wait to finish his thought, but scrambled frantically up the steep and -came around to the top of the wall. The window opposite and level with -him was bare but not as dirty as the others; and against it he saw a -bed-post. Anyway that room was used by some one besides ghosts, he -thought; and wondered what to do next. Just then Bouncer sprang up and -gave a single short bark, his bark of greeting. - -“She’s there, old dog!” Billy caught Bouncer’s nose tight in his hand -to prevent a repetition; and at that instant May Nell herself appeared -at the window! - -It took two hands to hold the dog’s mouth shut now; and for a minute -that Billy thought much longer, it seemed as if he never would be able -to make him keep quiet. But he succeeded at last, and turned again to -see May Nell standing in full view with her finger on her lips. - -“Are you hurt?” Billy spelled with the hand alphabet every boy and girl -knows. - -“No; well,” came the answer. - -“Alone?” - -“Not in the house; in this room, yes.” - -“Who?” - -“One of the brothers, hurt.” - -“Any one else?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“Open window.” - -“I can’t. Nailed.” - -“Break it,--not now; when I tell you.” - -“No, no! They’ll kill us!” - -From where he stood Billy could see the distress in her face. He must -think of a way to get her, and he must, _must_ hurry! - -He ran back a few steps and found a loose board he had climbed over -when coming up. This he carried to the edge of the wall. “When I call,” -he spelled out, “break window, use chair, come across on board.” - -She shook her head. - -Just then he saw a wagon in the distance rounding the curve of the -mountain. This was his minute. He must get her before that team passed. -Then if any one attempted to prevent him he would have help. He turned -back to May Nell. - -“You must do it,” he spelled. His stiffened fingers must have carried -authority, for she nodded; and he saw her get a chair and stand with -it, ready to do his bidding. - -He lifted the board, trying its weight. Could he ever get it safely -placed? Higher he lifted it, and began to let it drop; but he saw that -if the other end missed the window sill, it would pull him down to the -court below. Frantic, he stared about for help, for inspiration. He -dared not wait till the passers came in hearing; the sound of his voice -calling might too soon rouse men inside, make them shoot perhaps. As -it was he expected every minute to see a swarthy face appear, a hand -with a knife or pistol. It was not for himself he feared, but for May -Nell, the little girl who for some strange reason was worth something -to these desperadoes, and whose life would be on his soul if he did not -save her. - -His boyish knowledge and imagination, equal to many pictures of danger -for the girl, did not extend to her captors. He never stopped to -consider, nor would he have understood if he had, the plight of the -criminals. He knew that two had been captured, one of whom before that -had carried off May Nell; but his small newspaper reading of “gangs” of -counterfeiters had given him visions of dozens of desperate criminals, -terrorizing communities, and equal to any bold crime. Now in his mind’s -eye he could see men skulking in the brush, listening in rooms below, -only waiting to pounce on May Nell the moment she smashed the window. -Oh, yes, he must hurry--hurry! - -In his distress his wandering eye discovered a bunch of vine ties, -short pieces of soft hemp rope for fastening vines to their supporting -stakes. They were hanging against the rear of the coop, and a gust -of wind had blown them into view. Like a flash he sprang and caught -them; tied several together in quick, strong knots, and lashed himself -to the little tree. Then he took up the board again, poised it at a -perpendicular, calculated the angle, and slowly dropped it. Would the -end reach the sill? No, it was too short! - -He tried to hold it from falling, but could not. It seemed as if his -arms would be pulled out of their sockets. It would fall short--he must -hold on to it, not let it strike below, for the noise would betray them -too soon; and--the men in the wagon were passing! - -With a supreme effort he straightened his arms just as the board -reached the level of the sill, pushed it forward with all his might; -and--it caught! Caught by an inch or less! - -“Stop!” his upheld warning hand said to May Nell. He found his knife, -cut his lashings, and beckoned to her vehemently. He waited only for -the crash of glass and sash, when he threw himself outstretched on the -ground, and pushed the board hard against the lower edge of the window -frame. - -[Illustration: She scudded across the bending board] - -“It’s up to you now, my girl,” he panted under his breath. “The board -will bend--you mustn’t be frightened. Fix your eyes on the tree--come -fast.” - -Gee! It was a scaly trick for a little girl, he thought; and felt sick. -Would the plank bend too much? Slip? She was such a little thing--if -only she could be a truly fairy for a minute! - -“Oh, God, walk with her!” he prayed silently when he felt her weight -first touch the board; prayed as he never had before. It seemed as if -something strange and strong was going out of him right to May Nell. - -Yet almost before the prayer was breathed the child with incredible -swiftness scudded across the bending board and stood safe by his side! - -He sprang up, caught her hand, and raced with her down the rocky steep, -calling wildly to the men in the wagon as he ran. Bouncer, no longer -watched, vented his pent-up excitement in noisy yelps; and above the -din Billy heard loud angry words in a foreign tongue that he knew were -execrations, commands to return. - -It seemed to him that his voice made no sound; that May Nell never ran -so slowly; that the travellers would surely not hear him, not stop. How -could they hear in all the noise? - -Yet they had already stopped, turned, and driven quickly to the house, -hurried by the frenzy in the boy’s tones. - -“Take her in,” Billy gasped. “They stole her; they’re after--save -her--hurry--” He could say no more, but suddenly collapsed and sank to -the ground; and the last sight he remembered was the dark Italian at -the house corner, talking fast, with one hand in a sling, the other -waving a knife threateningly. - -Yes, Billy had fainted for the first time in his life. The two men, -heedless of the Italian, took the boy up gently. One sat in the bed of -the wagon and held Billy as easily as possible, while the other lifted -May Nell to the seat, mounted beside her, and drove rapidly back to -town. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -BILLY TO-DAY - - -Things happened very fast the next few days. “Something doing every -minute,” Billy put it. Billy had neither been ill nor injured,--only -exhausted. The wound on his scalp had been worse in appearance than -in fact; and a couple of long nights in sleep, and easy days at home -mended him completely. - -Was not May Nell safe? Almost recovered from her fright and hours of -imprisonment? Was not the town ringing with her courage and quaint -sayings? For she had told her story more than once; and when she came -to the place where she said, “And I thought, ‘God can see me all the -time; if He means for me to suffer awfully I must have an awful lot of -courage; I must ask Him for it.’ So I did, and I said ‘Now I lay me,’ -and lay down on the bed so I could hear God speak--you know you can -hear better lying down--and I waited--” - -When she came to this point all her listeners looked for their -handkerchiefs. And May Nell stopped suddenly, smiled, and finished, -“And God heard me; and Billy rescued me.” - -May Nell was not taken to her father; he came to her. Edith’s pictures -of the little girl fulfilled their mission; they met him as soon as -he landed from South America. He had been a busy man during those few -days; had found not only his child but his wife, ill in a country -sanitarium; where, for weeks after the earthquake and fire had, she -supposed, swallowed her little daughter, she lingered, praying only to -die. Now with husband and child both saved to her, she was fast growing -well; needed only their presence to complete her recovery. - -It was on the first of these busy days in San Francisco that the big -counterfeiter saw at a distance May Nell’s father; saw the child’s -pictures posted in the galleries, hurried back to the “Ha’nt,” and -planned the kidnapping as a chance for “getting even” with Mr. Smith, -who had discharged him years before for dishonesty. But Billy had -thwarted him, brought him safely to justice for all of his crimes. - -“I always knew that house had something to do with me,” Billy declared -to Mr. Smith. “The kids call it a wicked house, but it’s only the -people living in it that’s wicked. It’s a splendid old place; and when -I’m a man and have money enough, I’m going to buy it and fix it up -fine, and give it a fair chance.” - -Friday came; and May Nell delighted her father with her part in the -exercises. Billy was very proud of her as she stood on the platform, -lovely in her white frock and her fair, curling hair, reciting her -“piece.” - -“She’s the swellest looking one in the whole school,” he whispered to -his smiling mother. - -“The prize is equally divided between James Dorr and William Bennett,” -the judges announced. - -And that night after school, when May Nell’s little wardrobe was all -packed,--not without a slight baptism of Edith’s tears,--and waiting -for the morning train, Mr. Smith came in and put a ceremonious looking -document into Billy’s hand. - -“The Sheriff tells me a thousand dollars will be paid to your account -as soon as the State settles, Billy. Here’s something else for you.” - -Billy turned the bulky papers over and over as if to gather some hint -of their meaning from fold and stiffness. “What is it, Mr. Smith?” he -asked wonderingly. - -“A deed to the stone house, the Ha’nt, May Nell calls it. I was glad -to know of something you wanted; and I’ll furnish the money to redeem -the place to your idea of the beauty it deserves. It is a splendid -location. And Mrs. Bennett,” he turned to Billy’s mother, “you must let -me see Billy through college.” - -“Oh, no! It’s too much. We only did what all--” - -“Too much?” he interrupted; “is anything I have in this world too much -to give for the life of my wife and child? Didn’t your son save them -both? Save May Nell from--” He turned away and did not attempt to -finish his sentence. - -May Nell ran and hugged Mrs. Bennett, and Edith and Billy in turn, -nestling afterward in her father’s arms. - -“Surely Billy has earned it, Mrs. Bennett,” Mr. Smith urged. - -“And I’m always going to be your little girl, too,” the child pleaded; -“so Billy must be my papa’s little boy.” - -Mrs. Bennett looked fondly at Billy, then back to Mr. Smith. “Thank -you,” she said slowly, trying to gather courage for what she was to -say. “Billy must not be paid for doing his duty. With the money he has -earned from the State I am sure we shall be able to help him through a -good schooling; for the rest my husband’s son must win his own way.” - -Billy felt his head lift a little higher at his mother’s words; felt a -new standard of honor and independence leap into being. The house was -too small for him. He ran out into the summer evening, down the hill -to the big rock that overhangs Runa Creek. The stars were beginning to -shine, and he could hear the tinkle of the water below. Bouncer rubbed -against him, and Billy hugged him to the peril of the old dog’s breath. - -“They shan’t ever again call me Billy To-morrow. It’s Billy To-day, -Bouncer. It shall always be _Billy To-day_!” - - -THE END - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - -Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - -Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - -Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Billy To-morrow, by Sarah Pratt Carr - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILLY TO-MORROW *** - -***** This file should be named 62288-0.txt or 62288-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/2/8/62288/ - -Produced by David Garcia, Larry B. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Billy To-morrow - -Author: Sarah Pratt Carr - -Illustrator: Charles M. Relyea - -Release Date: May 31, 2020 [EBook #62288] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILLY TO-MORROW *** - - - - -Produced by David Garcia, Larry B. Harrison, David E. -Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -https://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" /></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<h1>BILLY TO-MORROW</h1> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="bbox"> -<div class="hangingindent"> -<p class="center"><i>By the same Author</i></p> - - - - -<p><span class="smcap">The Iron Way.</span> A Tale of -the Builders of the West. -With four illustrations by -John W. Norton. <i>Fifth -edition.</i> Large 12mo, $1.50.</p> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A. C. McClurg & Co.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Publishers</span></p> - -</div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_0" id="Page_0"></a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/a0004-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">Billy</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="titlepage"> - -<p class="ph1">BILLY TO-MORROW</p> - -<p>BY<br /> -<span class="large">SARAH PRATT CARR</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Author of “The Iron Way”</span></p> - -<p><i>ILLUSTRATED BY</i><br /> -CHARLES M. RELYEA</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p>CHICAGO<br /> -A. C. McCLURG & CO.<br /> -1909</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="center"> -<span class="smcap">Copyright</span><br /> -A C McCLURG & CO.<br /> -1909<br /> -<br /> -Published September 4, 1909<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -<span class="antiqua">The Lakeside Press</span><br /> -R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY<br /> -CHICAGO</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p class="center"><span class="antiqua"> -To One Boy,<br /> -strong, buoyant, and true,<br /> -generously loved, yet more generously loving,<br /> -this book is affectionately<br /> -dedicated.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CONTENTS</h2></div> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="smcap"><small>Chapter</small></span></td><td> </td><td class="tdr"><span class="smcap"><small>Page</small></span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Little Earthquake Girl</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1"> 1</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Saturday Gang</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22"> 22</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Surprise</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47"> 47</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Two-light Time</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64"> 64</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">The Fair Ellen</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_82"> 82</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td> “<span class="smcap">The Triumph of Flora</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96"> 96</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Fight</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112"> 112</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">On Stormy Seas</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_128"> 128</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Red Goose Flesh</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_138"> 138</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Sir Thomas Katzenstein</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_149"> 149</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Good-night in the Fo’castle </span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_156"> 156</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Circus</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_170"> 170</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Hidden Hut</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_185"> 185</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">In the Haunted House</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196"> 196</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Against the Fire</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_207"> 207</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Bridge to Safety</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228"> 228</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Billy To-day</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_240"> 240</a></td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">ILLUSTRATIONS</h2></div> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - -<tr><td> </td><td class="tdr"><span class="smcap">Page</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td>Billy</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>The little earthquake girl</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18"> 18</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“What’s the matter with Billy To-morrow?”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_44"> 44</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>Jimmy sprang for her</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94"> 94</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>A faint sound caught his ear</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_118"> 118</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>May Nell plays teacher</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_140"> 140</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“You’re George Rideout Smith’s kid, ain’t you?”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_200"> 200</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>She scudded across the bending board</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_236"> 236</a></td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span> - - - -<p class="ph1">BILLY TO-MORROW</p> - - -<hr class="tiny" /> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - -<small>THE LITTLE EARTHQUAKE GIRL</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap2">AS Billy Bennett wheeled around the corner -he saw his mother in the doorway. Also -he saw Jean Hammond across the street speaking -with Bess Carter,—the Queen of Sheba, -the children called her, she was so large and -dark and handsome, and had such a royal way, -like a sure ’nough queen, one said. Though -why children who had never been out of Vine -County should know so much about queens -no one thought to ask.</p> - -<p>Billy suspected his mother was waiting for -him; he must hurry, he thought. Yet he -couldn’t resist showing off a bit. He bent over -his wheel, went by the girls with a rush and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> -“Hello!” made a neat turn, wheeled a figure -“8” around a team or two, shouted, “Don’t -frame up anything there!” as he passed a second -time, and whizzed through the arch in his own -high hedge with one wheel in the air.</p> - -<p>He swung his book-strap in greeting to his -mother while rolling more slowly up the rose-bordered -path to the veranda. He thought his -mother’s face looked tired; but the smile there -welcomed him warmly, and he forgot the tired -look with her first words.</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry to make you late with your mowing, -Billy, but I must have you go out to Mrs. -Prettyman’s for some cream she promised me.”</p> - -<p>“Do you need it right away?” Billy stood -his wheel against the steps and flung his books -on the porch table.</p> - -<p>“Not till evening; but there’s the lawn.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll mow in the morning. Let me stay and -visit Pretty—Harold, I mean—till sundown; -can’t I, mamma?” He patted her cheek with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> -a vigor that made her wink. “You know you -can’t refuse your darling boy,” he wheedled.</p> - -<p>In spite of her smile there was a tinge of -gravity in her silent moment of consideration. -“Very well, Billy. You know how short Saturday -is, and that to-morrow you’ll wish you’d -cut the grass to-day. Yet I leave it to you; -do as you like.”</p> - -<p>The boy gave her a squeeze that made her -last words come in jerks. “That’s a mean -trick to play on a fellow,—chuck such a responsibility -on a twelve-year-old. Say I must -or I mustn’t, mamma.” He caught her hand -and gently tweaked her fingers.</p> - -<p>“You are not a baby, my son; you’ll soon be -a man, and it’s time you did your own thinking. -Don’t be late for dinner.”</p> - -<p>Billy took the can she held toward him, and -made a face that was half fun, half discontent, -yet not unloving. As his mother turned indoors -he noticed again that she was pale, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> -that her shoulders drooped; and a sudden heat -rose in his heart against the widowhood and -poverty that made it necessary for her to work -so hard. When he grew to be a man, he told -himself, he would buy her a diamond ring and -a silk dress; and she should sit all day in the -big rocking chair and work no more.</p> - -<p>To-day his mother’s words had left a pang. -He would soon be a man and have to “think -for himself.” Yes, and work, too. “Gee whiz! -It’ll be tough not to play any more,” he exclaimed -under his breath as he bowled along -the tree-lined road that led to the Prettyman -farm.</p> - -<p>In the hours of joy that followed, joy known -only to boys and farms in conjunction, Billy,—and -it was unusual for him,—more than once -recalled his mother’s words; heeded them to the -extent of bidding Harold a reluctant good-bye -when the sun was still blazing high above the -horizon. But when, on his way home, he came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> -to the branching of the road his good resolution -weakened. He looked back. The sun was surely -more than an hour high. He would have time -to go up the hill road to the “Ha’nt.” And, -beside that, he wished to look at the river where -its divided flow encircled a tiny, shrub-grown -island.</p> - -<p>A certain wide lawn, starred with white -clover and daisies came unwelcome to his -mind. He ought that moment to be chopping -off clover tops.</p> - -<p>“Jiminy! I’ll have time in the morning,” -he said aloud, and hurried on, not slackening -his speed till he came to a sharp turn that took -the road against the face of a rugged mountain. -He hid his wheel and can in a tangle of rose -vine and snowdrop, and stood out on the edge -of the steep bluff that overhung the rushing -river. There bloomed the island. Near the -centre a rocky point was aflame with gorgeous -poppies; and Billy could smell the fragrance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -of the snowy wild heliotrope,—pop-corn the -children called it.</p> - -<p>The water would soon be low enough, he decided, -though the end of the suspension foot-bridge -hung very near surface. The rains had -come in a sudden flood that year, delaying -sport he had planned, in which the island was -to play an important part.</p> - -<p>He went on, a little cautiously now, and -shortly came in view of the “Ha’nt,” a -sinister though imposing house, built of cut -stone, close against the face of the most picturesque -mountain of the range, bounding Vina -Valley. The windows were curtained with -cobwebs and dust. For years the wide front -door had been nailed up with the same sun-bleached -boards; and “Keep out!” spoke from -every gray splinter.</p> - -<p>Billy knew by sight the two Italians who -lived there, brothers yet enemies. Each dwelt -by himself in a corner of the great building.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -Each cultivated alone his share of the straggling -vineyard on the heights above, too steep and -rocky for a plough; though the lush acres on -the river bottom went fallow. If either overstepped -his bounds they fought. Billy had -seen one of these encounters; and the fierce -fire in their dark faces, the passion in the foreign -words they spoke,—oaths the boy felt -they must be,—sent him flying home, tinged -his dreams for many a night.</p> - -<p>He was not more inquisitive than other boys, -yet the mystery, the many uncanny tales told -of the old house, fired him with a desire to know -its secrets. Long before he was born a murder -had left its stain there. The owners, suspected -but unconvicted, moved away; and for years -the house stared vacantly at passers. The -coming of the Italians had only increased its -bad name. Late travellers on the lonely road -declared that shadowy forms and flickering -lights passed the lower windows and down into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -the cavernous basement; yet no sounds ever -came from behind the barred doors.</p> - -<p>Rational people laughed at these stories, -declared them the fancies of brains fuddled by -too long a stay at the saloons in town. But -Billy was not so easily satisfied. He wished -to see for himself those shadowy forms; to -prove to the small, scared children that, contrary -to general belief, the brothers sometimes -had guests. And he had a queer feeling that -some way the house would have a place in his -life. He admired its gloomy grandeur; planned -the additions he would make if it were his -own, and the gardens, the hedges of roses, and -banks of fragrant smilax, that should grow -there.</p> - -<p>Now he crept through the brush by the roadside -till he came close under the west wall. -The setting sun blazed red fire at him from the -windows, reminding him sharply of the hour.</p> - -<p>“Golly! Wish’t I had time to stay an’<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -watch. But I won’t, Betsey; I’ll go right -now.”</p> - -<p>Billy at work or at play was so absorbed that -it was hard for him to measure time; and he -had a queer notion that it was some other intelligence -beside his own will that reminded -him, often too late, of duties waiting. This -he named Betsey; and among the children -Betsey came to stand for Billy’s conscience.</p> - -<p>Up on the hillside one of the brothers still -plied the hoe; and now the other came from -the back door and walked down the road with -his milk can in his hand. Billy had “the -creeps” for a minute, and cowered closer; but -no one saw him. Now was the time! He -would never have such a chance again.</p> - -<p>“You keep still, Betsey! I’m going to -watch!” he exclaimed, as if some one had -spoken.</p> - -<p>Cautiously he crept nearer the door, stopping -at each step to listen, to look again at the worker<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -above. He was at the very corner of the house -when voices sounded from within. He started, -his breath coming quicker. He caught no -words, but knew by the “ginger” in the tones -that the speakers were angry. Shuffling steps -came up the stairway and turned toward the -rear.</p> - -<p>The boy scudded lightly across the narrow -open space to the shelter of a manzanita tree, -and looked back again; but no one appeared. -Did he still hear the softly quarrelling voices? -He fancied so. The sudden dip of the sun -behind a hill darkened the scene threateningly, -and brought a return of “the creeps.”</p> - -<p>It was not the hour for ghosts, they must be -real people. Billy encouraged himself with -that thought and wished he could wait for -further disclosures. Did the sun ever before -go down so fast? He hastened to find his -wheel and can, and set out at his best pace.</p> - -<p>As he came into the main road a rosy, wholesome<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -looking girl was flying by. “Hello, Jean!” -he called after her; “that’s going some—for a -girl.”</p> - -<p>She turned back and rode up by his side. -“Why shouldn’t a girl ride as fast as a boy?” -She had a bright, frank face, and her brown -eyes were as honest as they were beautiful.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I s’pose she can, only a fellow doesn’t -expect it of her. How came you out here? -I thought you’d be watching for refugees.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what I’m hurrying for. Mamma -sent me on an errand to Mrs. Black’s and I -want to be back at the station in time to see -the train come in. I wish we were going to -have a refugee. Wasn’t the earthquake awful?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. And the fire worse. Why can’t you -have a refugee?”</p> - -<p>“Our house isn’t big enough.”</p> - -<p>“I guess ours’ll be a grown-up chap; but I -wish he’d be a boy my size. How do you guess -poor old San Francisco looks to-day?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>“Oh, Billy, don’t ask me. I can’t bear to -think of it. But I almost forgot,—your mother -said if I saw you to tell you to go by the store -and get a loaf of bread. There’s the train!”</p> - -<p>The whistle shrilled up the narrow valley, -echoing back and forth from the steep green -hills that bounded it.</p> - -<p>“She’s at Vine Hill—miles away; we’ll beat -her if we hurry.” His words were a bit breathless.</p> - -<p>Off they bounded, side by side, through the -fragrant spring evening. The red of the western -sky touched to brighter rosiness their glowing -cheeks, tinted Jean’s wind-blown hair with gold. -As they neared the town she shot ahead in a last -ambitious spurt, wheeled and faced him as he -came up.</p> - -<p>“Anything else you can do better than a -girl?” she jeered, good-naturedly.</p> - -<p>“Try a mile with this can and see where you -come out in the race.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>“Why have you been away out in the country -for milk?”</p> - -<p>“This milk happens to be cream. I’ve been -wondering what kind of a dessert will take all -this.”</p> - -<p>Jean hid a queer little smile that she could -not repress.</p> - -<p>“I’ll wrestle with you first chance,” he challenged; -“but you wouldn’t have any show, your -dress is so long. Why do you have ’em so?”</p> - -<p>Jean’s face fell, and she didn’t look at Billy -when she spoke. “My mother says I mustn’t -wrestle any more.”</p> - -<p>“Why, I wonder? She used to watch us at -it and laugh.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; but—oh, Billy, it’s awful to have -to grow up and be proper. I begged mamma -not to put my dresses down, but I’m past -thirteen, and big as she is. And—”</p> - -<p>“That’s no giant. She isn’t bigger’n a kid.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -Will she let you come to play? The Gang’s -coming to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I can come. Shall I bring Clarence, -too?”</p> - -<p>“Sure. All the kids. But Clarence especially,—he’s -my son, you know.” Billy -grinned.</p> - -<p>“And just worships you. Is your lawn -mowed?”</p> - -<p>“No; I’ll do it first thing to-morrow.” -He tried vainly to change the subject. “I—”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Billy To-morrow! You won’t have -half time enough to play. You’re a regular -Mexican,—always <i>maana</i>!”</p> - -<p>When the train snorted into the station the -two were there, Billy with his loaf under his -arm, his can dangling. Most of the arrivals -were townsfolk home from visits to the stricken -city; but a few, evidently strangers, descended -and stood by themselves.</p> - -<p>“That bunch with the tickets, them’s the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -refugees,” Billy whispered to Jean. “See? -Mr. Patton’s talking to them. Mr. Brown’s -going to take ’em to their places in his hack. -I wonder which is ours. Jiminy! See how -hard that poor little kid’s trying to bluff her -tears!”</p> - -<p>He indicated a fair-haired child, a baby in -size, though her face gave hint of more years -than her slender body. She wore woman’s -shoes, and one was torn; a draggled skirt -pinned up in front and trailing behind; and a -folded sheet drawn around her shoulders. Yet -no incongruity of dress could disguise the refined -beauty of her face, or of her uncovered -hair.</p> - -<p>A kindly man held her by the hand, yet he -was evidently a stranger to her.</p> - -<p>“Billy, ask Mr. Patton to let her come to -your house! There aren’t any boys.” Jean’s -voice trembled with eagerness.</p> - -<p>“Sure! Take care of the truck, will you?”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -He dropped his burdens to Jean’s willing hands, -and darted forward.</p> - -<p>Mr. Patton, who “placed” the refugees, was -glad of Billy’s request, for the child’s struggle -for self-control had touched him; and he knew -no one would be a kinder mother to her than -Mrs. Bennett.</p> - -<p>Billy hurried away, and arrived at his home -before the hack, bread and cream safe in spite -of threatened dangers.</p> - -<p>“Ma! Mamma Bennett,” he burst out as -he banged open the door; “she’s coming,—our -little earthquake girl! The cutest kid,—not -so big as the twins, but stylisher in the -face.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett was setting the table. She put -down a pile of plates, and a new anxiety came -into her careworn face. “A child? I told -Mr. Patton I couldn’t take one.”</p> - -<p>“But I asked for her, mamma.” Billy’s -voice lost its exuberance. His mother never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -had looked so tired, he thought for the second -time that day.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Billy, how could you, when mother has -so much to do?” It was his sister, Edith, who -spoke, her sweet face clouded with rare disapproval. -Yet she went on with the music -lesson she was giving.</p> - -<p>“I’ll help a lot. You shan’t have a bit -more trouble, sister; nor mamma, either.” -He began to distribute the plates with noisy -clatter.</p> - -<p>“She’ll be afraid to sleep in the downstairs -bedroom,” Mrs. Bennett reflected, planning -rapidly for the unexpected child whom she -still had no thought of turning from her door.</p> - -<p>“Put her in my room and give me the Fo’castle; -I’ve always wanted to bunk there.”</p> - -<p>“She may come with me, mother,” Edith -said, pausing in the lesson with finger uplifted -on the beat; “Billy mustn’t go into that bleak -tank house.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>Mrs. Bennett crossed the room and laid a tender -hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You’re -not strong and need perfect rest. Besides, you -spoil the boy. It won’t hurt him to sleep there, -and he must take the consequences of his own -act.”</p> - -<p>“Yet let him sleep downstairs,” Edith persisted.</p> - -<p>“No, no, the Fo’castle! I—Here they -come!” Billy set down some cups with dangerous -haste and ran out.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0018-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">The little earthquake girl</p> - -<p>In spite of noise and heedlessness there was -something fine and true about Billy; something -that made old Bouncer whine when left behind; -something that called the kittens to rub against -his legs; that made the little children at school -adore him, and men and women smile heartily -when they greeted him. It was this mysterious -something that brought a wan smile to the -small tired face and tired eyes that looked confidingly -into his blue ones. He lifted her carefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -down from the carriage, and led her up -the walk to where his mother and sister came -to meet them.</p> - - - -<p>“Your nose is out of joint, Edith! I’ve got -a new sister.” But his eyes belied his blunt -words.</p> - -<p>“Yes, you shall be our dear little girl.” -Mrs. Bennett took the forlorn child in her -motherly arms and kissed her. “You’re tired -and hungry, too, aren’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, thank you. But most my heart is -hungry. Will you help me to find my mama?”</p> - -<p>The quaint words seemed incongruous for so -small a child, as did her self-control; and the -accent on the last syllable of “mama” made her -seem almost foreign to Billy. Yet he admired -her anew as she tried to hold still her trembling -lips, to restrain her tears; as she threw up her -head, winked hard, and felt vainly for a handkerchief.</p> - -<p>“Here, you poor darling, take mine! And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -don’t be afraid—you’ll find your mother -before long.” Edith’s words were brave, but -her own eyes were moist.</p> - -<p>“First you must eat, and rest, so that you can -tell us about your mother; then we’ll see what -can be done.” Mrs. Bennett took the child -into the pleasant living-room where Billy had -put a fourth place at the table next his own.</p> - -<p>“Say, little kid, what’s your name?” he -asked, merrily, as he routed a great white cat -from his own chair and placed it before the -fire for the child.</p> - -<p>“Mary Ellen Smith; but my mama calls me -May Nell; and she says—she says ‘kid’ is -vulgar.” The last words were very shy.</p> - -<p>“The child may eclipse you in refining Billy’s -language,” Mrs. Bennett said, with a smile, -aside to Edith; and went into the kitchen to -“dish up” the dinner.</p> - -<p>Edith finished her music lesson, dismissed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -her pupil, and made the little girl tidy if comical, -in one of her own frocks. And when the -four sat to eat, Billy’s voice rang above the -rest in the little song they sang in lieu of grace.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER II<br /> - -<small>THE SATURDAY GANG</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THE place Billy called the Fo’castle was a -tiny room in the sloping windmill tower. -It was level with the second floor of the house, -and a narrow, railed bridge connected it with a -door in his mother’s room. Under it was the -above-ground cellar, overhead the big tank. Still -higher whirled the great white wings that -pumped the beauty-giving water to lawn and -gardens.</p> - -<p>The little room was rude and bare, but Billy -loved it. He thought the massive beams like -the ribs of a ship, and planned to hang between -them all his ship pictures. Anything relating -to the sea fired his imagination. It gave him -a sense of manliness to sleep there alone; and -when the heavier gusts of night wind rocked -the tower, and each revolution of the big wheel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -splashed the water against the tank, as waves -lap a ship’s side, he dreamed himself on the -ocean, called himself “Captain.”</p> - -<p>He woke early the next morning. This was -rare for him; he usually slept like a bear in -midwinter. Perhaps the creaking of the windmill -all through the night made his slumber -light. Another noise had disturbed him, the -sewing machine. Its whirr had come up to -him from the open window of the living-room. -He knew mother and sister were sewing hard, -that on the morrow the poor little stranger -might be suitably clad. <i>He</i> had brought upon -them this extra work! And this was only the -beginning. If the child’s mother was not -found they must buy clothes as well as food; -and this would take a lot of his sister’s money.</p> - -<p>“Jiminy! If they don’t let me work this -vacation, I’ll have to run away,” he thought -as, through the uncurtained window, he watched -the evening star sink below the western hills.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -While he was wondering if people lived in the -star he fell asleep; yet waked later to hear the -busy machine.</p> - -<p>“Golly! They’re working all night. I—ought -to—help—to-morrow. I—” He slept -again with his good resolution half made.</p> - -<p>Yet the impression of the night had been -deep enough to wake him before the sun rose. -He dressed quickly, astonished the chickens -with an early breakfast; put fresh sand in the -coop; climbed the windmill tower to oil the -bearings of the big wheel; and put the lawn -mower in order, but remembered in time that -to use it would wake the sleepers.</p> - -<p>What more might he do to hasten the Saturday -work? He could not chop the kindling -or fill the wood boxes. The weeding! It was -behind. Both mother and sister had reminded -him repeatedly, but he had forgotten. Only -yesterday his sister had made tidy the flower -beds that flanked the house; but the melons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -the vegetables,—they were not done, and that -would make no noise.</p> - -<p>The Bennetts’ was one of the oldest places in -town, and the most beautiful. It was near the -heart of the growing village ambitiously calling -itself a city. Level lawns protected by high -hedges and shaded by many trees, spread amply -around the house and back to the first terrace, -where a tangle of berry vines covered trellises -that shut off a lower level devoted to vegetables. -Beyond this was the chickens’ domain, rock-dotted -acres that sloped sharply to where -Runa Creek boiled over its stony bed. Here -mother hens fluttered and scolded while web-footed -broods paddled in the edges of the stream.</p> - -<p>Once Billy’s attention was fixed he was as -earnest at work as at play. He slaughtered -the weeds rapidly, and had several clean beds -behind him when his mother called him to -breakfast.</p> - -<p>“What happened to you, Billy?” she asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -when he entered the kitchen. “For a second -I was frightened when I went to wake you and -found you gone.”</p> - -<p>“Thought I’d eloped? I ought to when -I’ve brought you an extra mouth to feed.” -He was splashing and spluttering in the lavatory -off the kitchen.</p> - -<p>“Never mind, son; we expected to take some -one.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; but some one who could take care of -himself. And you didn’t expect to open -dressmaking parlors.”</p> - -<p>“No matter, Billy. I think she was sent to -us; and we shall find a way. Are the chickens -fed?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, long ago. And, mamma, you needn’t -ask me that every morning; I’m going to -remember. Truly!” he added, as he came -toward her, rosy and shining, and saw her -doubtful smile. “The vegetables are most -weeded, too.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>Mrs. Bennett put down the pan of batter-cake -dough and gave him his good-morning -kiss. His head was level with hers. “Thank -you, my big boy. Mother will soon have a man -to look to. Go in and get your breakfast; you -must be nearly famished.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I could eat a graven image.”</p> - -<p>“I hope my breakfast won’t be quite so—”</p> - -<p>“Rocky?” he interrupted. “You bet not. -It’ll be just bully, that’s what!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Billy!” she said, despairingly; and he -knew in spite of her smile that she disliked his -words. “The little girl is looking for you. -She is lonely; you must amuse her.”</p> - -<p>Billy was suddenly overcome with bashfulness -when the child, quite composed, came -forward to meet him. A bath, a shampoo, and -new clothes had transformed her from a tangled, -smudged little girl to a lovely miss with a -high-bred air foreign to the childish manners -Billy understood. He recognized Edith’s gown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -in the pretty frock mother and daughter had -sat late to make over; but the neat ties and -hose, all the little things it takes to make a girl -look pretty, where had they come from?</p> - -<p>“Aren’t you going to say ‘Good-morning’ -to me, Billy?” She put out the slenderest -little white hand, and looked into his face -appealingly.</p> - -<p>“Of course I am,” he replied promptly, with -a squeeze of her hand that made her wince. -“At first I was scared; I thought you must be -a fairy.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, not a fairy; only Cinderella. Last -night I was the poor little cinder girl; now my -fairy godmothers, two, have touched me with -their wands, needles, and I’m so fine even the -Prince didn’t know me.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the Prince will see that the glass -slipper’s tied fast. He’s got no ‘Ho, minions!’ -to hunt for you if you turn Cinderella again.” -He stooped and fastened her tie.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>She clapped her hands. “Oh, I’m glad you -like fairies, too. Do you know about Bagdad -and Semiramide and Good King Arthur and -Ivanhoe, and all the other beautiful things in -the world?” she asked, breathlessly.</p> - -<p>“Dear me, mother,” Edith said when Mrs. -Bennett came in with hot cakes, “what shall -we do with two children in dreamland?” -Edith had not touched her breakfast, but was -waiting on the others.</p> - -<p>“Three you should say. Don’t you live in -the dreamland of music? Eat your own breakfast, -or you’ll be late for the train.”</p> - -<p>“Train? Is she going away?” The small -girl’s face grew sorrowful.</p> - -<p>“Only for a day, dear. I’ll be back to-night.”</p> - -<p>“She has a music class in Loma; and it isn’t -dreamland, either, teaching; but she has to -earn grub for me, sister does.” The frank -statement of a truth he had grown accustomed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -to this morning roused a feeling of shame, and -he gazed steadily at his plate.</p> - -<p>“Don’t look so, brother,” Edith said as she -kissed him good-bye; “the ‘grub’ is making a -fine boy, and I’m proud of him.” Yet as she -tied her veil at the mirror she saw the cloud -still lingering on his face.</p> - -<p>“Let him play to-day, mother,” she pleaded, -when the two stepped into the hall; “he can -be a boy only once.”</p> - -<p>“But you work hard, and he should do his -part. You are spending your youth for us, -and I’m glad he begins to see it.” They spoke -softly, yet Billy knew partly what they said; -and it made him still more thoughtful.</p> - -<p>“You and Edith are fairies,” he said when -his mother came again to the room, “to rustle -such pretty togs for the new sister in a night.” -His mother was piling his plate again with -griddle cakes.</p> - -<p>“My conscience! You can’t eat all—”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -May Nell stopped, conscious of an unkindness. -But the boy only laughed; he was used to comments -on his appetite.</p> - -<p>“Good hearts need no fairy wings,” Mrs. -Bennett replied to Billy while she smiled at the -little girl. “Jean told her mother about our -May Nell, and Mrs. Hammond came over with -a generous lot of outgrown things.”</p> - -<p>“But Jean’s two times as big as May Nell.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, now. Once she must have been about -the same size, you know.” She stood behind -the child caressing her cheek.</p> - -<p>“What is the matter with your hand?” May -Nell asked as she drew the work-worn hand -down and patted it. “It doesn’t feel like my -mama’s. And you have only one ring, a plain -one. Are your others in the bank? My mama -has ever so many,—diamonds, rubies, and such -a big sapphire, perfectly exquisite! And they -look elegant on her hand,—she has a perfectly -beautiful hand.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>“There are other things besides gems, little -girl.” Mrs. Bennett smiled and began to clear -the table.</p> - -<p>“Her hand would be as pretty as any one’s if -she didn’t have to work so hard,” Billy thought -loyally; and promised himself again that the -first money he earned should buy his mother a -diamond ring.</p> - -<p>“Take May Nell into the garden with you, -Billy,” Mrs. Bennett said; “I shall be busy -with the Saturday work, and she will be happier -in the sunshine. And don’t speak of the earthquake,” -she warned him aside; “she must -forget that as fast as possible.”</p> - -<p>Outside the spring warmth and fragrance -enfolded the children as a mantle, opening their -hearts to each other. Billy showed his flock -of pigeons, his white chickens and the house -where they roosted and brought forth their -fluffy broods. Old Bouncer barked and capered -about them; and the little girl tried to decide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -which cat was the prettiest, white Flash watching -for gophers in the green alfalfa, or Sir -Thomas Katzenstein, his yellow mate, basking -in the sun. “He isn’t yellow like any other -cat I ever saw; he’s shaded so beautifully.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, sister says he’s rare, Persian or something; -but I guess he’s only a plain cat. He’s -a lazy thing.”</p> - -<p>“Why doesn’t your mama have a man to -take care of the grounds?” she questioned after -she had told him something of her parents -and home.</p> - -<p>“She can’t, you know; she and sister have to -work hard to make what we spend now. I -don’t do half enough myself.”</p> - -<p>“Giving music lessons isn’t work. I’d love -to do that.”</p> - -<p>“You bet it’s work! ’Specially when she -gets hold of a cub like me.”</p> - -<p>“‘You bet’ isn’t nice,” the child chid -gently, and waited a moment before continuing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -“My papa won’t let my mama work. He went -to South America to get rich. When he comes -back, he wrote in a letter to me, I shall be as -rich as a princess.”</p> - -<p>“My father didn’t let my mother work when -he was alive; but he—he died.” Billy bent -lower over his weeding, and both were quiet.</p> - -<p>It was May Nell who first broke the silence. -She had been thinking. “It isn’t so very bad -to have to work, is it? Your mama looks happier -than my mama does. She said she’d -rather wear calico and work ever so hard, and -have papa at home, than be the richest, <i>richest</i> -without him. She cries a lot—my mama -does. And now—she’s crying—for me.” -The last word was a sob.</p> - -<p>“Here, here! You mustn’t do that,” Billy -gently coaxed, rising and taking her hand. -“You’ll make me draw salt water, too. And -it don’t help, you know. I’ll tell you what—you -can work some, gather the flowers. I’ll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -show you how. Mother puts ’em fresh in all -the rooms for Sunday.” He bustled her up -the terrace steps, brought scissors and basket, -and, starting her on her pleasant task, began -to mow the lawn.</p> - -<p>“All over the house does she put them?” -the child asked after she had snipped a fragrant -heap.</p> - -<p>“Yes. You see, she rents some of the rooms, -and she says they must look extra nice on Sunday -so the men won’t mosey off to the saloons.”</p> - -<p>“‘Mosey’? Does that mean ‘little Moses’?”</p> - -<p>He had hardly recovered from his laugh when -two little girls appeared at the gateway. -“There’s Twinnies! Come in, Kiddies, and -see my new sister,” he called, as they hesitated.</p> - -<p>“We came—we came to bring these,” -one ventured timidly, and lifted one end of the -basket they carried between them.</p> - -<p>Billy peeped under the cover, not heeding -the little girls’ protest. “Golly, May Nell!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -The Queen of Sheba won’t be in it ’long side of -you.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett heard anxiety in the voices of -the visitors, and came out.</p> - -<p>“Mrs. Bennett, you must unpack it alone, -mamma said.”</p> - -<p>“Alone, mamma said,” came the second -voice.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett seemed to know exactly what -to do. She took out and displayed to May Nell -some of the generous gift of child’s wear sent -by Mrs. Dorr from the wardrobe of the twins, -placed the basket within the door, and introduced -the children. Billy wondered what else -might be in the basket that made it “act so -heavy; it couldn’t be shoes.” He looked -critically at May Nell’s small feet.</p> - -<p>“This is Evelyn Dorr, and Vilette, her sister,” -Mrs. Bennett was saying.</p> - -<p>Billy laughed. “Mixed again, mamma. -This is Vilette,” he drew one bashful little girl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -nearer the stranger, “and <i>this</i> is Evelyn, Echo, -we call her.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett smiled at her mistake and went -in, while Billy took up his mower. The girls -looked at one another in the mute scrutiny -children bestow on newcomers, May Nell the -least embarrassed of the three.</p> - -<p>“Are you as old as us? We’re seven,” -Vilette said a bit loftily, as she discovered herself -taller than May Nell.</p> - -<p>“We’re seven,” came the echo.</p> - -<p>“Last November.”</p> - -<p>“Last November,” piped Evelyn.</p> - -<p>“I was ten in January, the twelfth,” May -Nell replied, with no pride in her tone; she was -always older than those of her size. Yet she -was not prepared for the gasps and backward -movement of the twins.</p> - -<p>“Ten? You won’t think of playing with us, -then. Ma thought you’d be just our age.”</p> - -<p>“Just our age.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>The little stranger girl smiled winningly. Her -childish companions had not been numerous -enough to justify her in drawing such close -lines; and she liked the sweet, half timid faces -that always looked so earnestly into her own. -“Surely, I’ll play with you. I’ll come to -see you some time when Mrs. Bennett says -I may.”</p> - -<p>A whoop startled her and she turned to see -a handsome boy racing up on a brown pony, -also carrying a basket.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Billy To-morrow! Why didn’t you -do that mowing last night? You said you were -going to.” He dismounted, tied the pony to -the post, and went inside; and one saw that -in spite of jeers the boys were friends.</p> - -<p>“Something my mother sent yours. You -mustn’t touch it,” he warned, as Billy made a -reach for it. “I was to land this safe in Mrs. -Bennett’s hands; and here goes!” He sprang -from Billy’s outreached arms, ran into the house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -and out again, before Billy had time to resume -his mowing.</p> - -<p>“Say, it’s a donation party, isn’t it?” -Billy did not see Harold wink at the twins, but -picked up his mower and started across the -lawn at a trot.</p> - -<p>“Here, let me do that,” Harold commanded; -“you go and do the rest of your work. We -won’t get to play in all day. The Gang coming?”</p> - -<p>“Said so, but they’re late. We’ve got an -addition, the little earthquake girl.” This last -was a sibilant aside.</p> - -<p>Harold turned and looked to where May Nell -stood with the twins, sorting her flowers. “Isn’t -she a daisy, though? Little—why, she’s only -a baby.”</p> - -<p>“Look out! She’s ten, an’ never been to -school; but she’s read more things ’n you ’n -me put together, Pretty. Knows ’em, too.” -Billy introduced the two in characteristic fashion -and went within.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>“Mamma, Pretty’s finishing the lawn for me; -can’t I rub the floors right now? The Gang’s -coming and we want to do a lot to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind the floors, Billy. You’ve -worked hard already; run off and have a good -time.”</p> - -<p>Another time he would have gone quickly -enough, for he liked work as little as the average -boy, often shirked it; though when he forgot -himself in his task, the joy of doing it well -held him to it. But May Nell’s coming and -the added expense still troubled him; and it -was a resolute face he turned to his mother. -“No, mamma, you shan’t get down on your -marrow bones to these old floors. It’s only me -that needs to go on the knees, you know.” His -eyes twinkled.</p> - -<p>He knew it was he and his friends who were -never denied “the run of the house,” that -brought in most of the gray film that settled -so quickly on the dark floors; it was not fair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -to leave this back-aching task to his mother. -He hustled out the rugs, found dusting cloth, -wax, and rubber, and set vigorously at it, -working so fast that he was nearly finished when -she returned to the room.</p> - -<p>“That’s enough, Billy. Jimmy Dorr and -George Packard are coming.” She was a -sensible woman, yet she disliked to expose her -boy to Jimmy’s caustic tongue. But Billy -was equal to more than Jimmy.</p> - -<p>“Let ’em come. What do I care for Sour ’n -Shifty? I’ll never desert Micawber this near -success.” He rubbed on calmly, and the two -boys came in at the open door.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Billy! You washin’ floors?” There -was a sneer in Jimmy’s voice.</p> - -<p>“Sure.” Billy looked up from all fours and -grinned. “I haven’t got two able-bodied sisters -like Vilette an’ Echo to work for me; and you -wouldn’t have me see my mother do it, would -you?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>Mrs. Bennett did not know, as her son did, -that the retort touched a sore fact. Jimmy’s -eyes darkened with the look that had earned -for him the name of “Sour.” Yet in spite of -this he had a fine, strong face.</p> - -<p>Billy went on with his rubbing, and his next -words were comically resigned. “Besides, I -suppose I’ll have to get married some day; -of course she’ll be a new woman; might as -well learn housework now.”</p> - -<p>Jimmy’s face lost its scorn. Someway the -sting of his sarcasm never seemed to touch -Billy, who could always strike back a surer if -less venomous blow. Perhaps that was the -very reason why Jimmy, though larger and -older, sought Billy and heeded him as he did -no other save his own stern father.</p> - -<p>“You don’t catch Billy asleep,” said George, -siding with the victorious.</p> - -<p>“We must go right back,” Jimmy declared,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -turning to the door of the kitchen and thrusting -a package within.</p> - -<p>“Tremendous long visit,” Billy taunted; -“what’d you come for? Another donation -for my new sister?”</p> - -<p>George nudged Jimmy. “Hit again, Sour. -Come on.” The two boys went out, mysteriously -embarrassed.</p> - -<p>Billy went to the door and looked after them. -No one was in sight. Harold, the twins, and -May Nell, too, were gone. What could it -mean? He looked back at the clock. Nearly -ten. Usually the Gang gathered earlier than -this, hung around and hurried him with his -work, many putting in lusty strokes, that Billy, -the favorite, might the sooner be released. -But now even Jean, his stanch second in all -the fun going, was late. He had expected to -be late himself; he always was. But he, who -planned most of the sport in spite of doing more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -work than any of them, had this day expected -his schemes to be well launched before he could -join in them.</p> - -<p>He was standing disconsolate, looking up the -street for stragglers, when his mother came in -again.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter, Billy? Why don’t -you go and play? You surely deserve a fine -holiday, my big, big son.” She put her arm -around him tenderly; and he saw that she -remembered. He would be thirteen to-morrow. -He had been counting the days; but he thought -mother and sister had been too busy to think -of it. It was coming—to-morrow, Sunday! If -he didn’t have a good time to-day it wouldn’t -be any birthday at all.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0044-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="caption">“What’s the matter with Billy To-morrow?”</p> - -<p>“Why doesn’t the Gang come, mamma?” -he asked, returning the kiss he knew was one -ahead for his natal day.</p> - -<p>“Suppose you go down to the creek,” she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -replied with a peculiar smile. “May Nell and -the twins went there some time ago. Harold, -too.”</p> - - - -<p>Billy ran off full of vague expectation born of -his mother’s smile. No one in all the country -round, not even Harold Prettyman, whose -father had the finest farm in Vine County, had -such a splendid place to play as the Bennetts’ -back lot that sloped down to Runa Creek. As -Billy slammed the gate and bounded out on a -huge boulder that hung over the creek, a sounding -cheer greeted him from below.</p> - -<p>“Hooray, Billy! Thirteen to-morrow! But -this is the day we celebrate!”</p> - -<p>There they all were; those who had come -first to the house, and many others: Jean, Bess -Carter, Charley Strong, Max Krieber, Jackson -Carter, the little colored boy, standing aloof, -and others, large and small. All in a line they -stood, and shouted up at him:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>“What’s the matter with Billy To-morrow? -He’s thirteen! Three and ten! Most a man! -He’s all right!”</p> - -<p>For a minute Billy stood, dazed, his heart -thumping hard. Then he threw his cap in the -air, sang out, “Bully for the Gang! This time -it’s Billy To-day!” and raced down the hill to -join them.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER III<br /> - -<small>THE SURPRISE</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">“WELL, what do you want to play?” Billy -asked, after the hubbub had a little -subsided.</p> - -<p>“Let’s go to the park and play football,” -Jimmy responded quickly.</p> - -<p>“But the girls and small fry can’t come in on -that. Besides, that little city kid’ll be lonesome -if I leave her.”</p> - -<p>“Well I’m not going to stay an’ play kid -games,” Jimmy retorted loftily, and turned -away.</p> - -<p>“Me neither,” George endorsed.</p> - -<p>“All right,” Billy acquiesced with a nonchalant -tact; “I thought Sour’n Shifty’d -make good surveyors, Pretty; but I guess you -can do that an’ your own job too, can’t you?” -Billy turned to Harold, while George watched to -see what Jimmy did.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>“Surveyors? What’s your scheme?” Jimmy -was quickly interested.</p> - -<p>“Why, I’d planned a big stock concern, like -business men. We’ll build a railroad, telegraph -line—that comes first, though; we’ll have -gold and copper mines, and a wharf. And next -we’ll launch the steamer we’ve been making.”</p> - -<p>“<i>If</i> she steams,” Harold put in sagely.</p> - -<p>“That big sand pile the kids made last week -for a fort can be the Sierras, and we’ll tunnel, -and have a loop, and—”</p> - -<p>“But where does our fun come in? Girls -don’t build railroads,” Bess complained.</p> - -<p>“No; but you can ask concessions, and buy -stocks, and keep hotel in the shack, an’ board -us men. Make more money ’n we do. They -always do, you know; not the fellers that -works, but the smart ones that work <i>them</i>. -I’m hungry enough to eat May Nell right now!” -He snapped his teeth together with a ferocious -grin as the little girl came near; and she laughed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -back at him more joyously than her mother -would have believed possible could she have -known; for this wholesome out-of-door frolic -was a boon to the child, white from life within -brick walls.</p> - -<p>They were a happy lot. Each held some -high-sounding position, the name coined in -Billy’s busy brain. His box of abused tools -came forth; the much mended wheelbarrow, -picks, shovels wobbly from use as well as abuse, -improvised things that only an imagination as -large as Billy’s could have named tools,—something -for each one there.</p> - -<p>Along the ridge of soft sand left by receding -waters Billy let his first contract to Harold, who -immediately marshalled the “kindergarten” -with their broken fire shovels, kitchen spoons, -what not, and set them to digging briskly. -“Straight to the line, mind you,” he sang out -from time to time, as he set his pins along the -line the “engineers had run.” Max was superintendent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -of telegraph construction; and Charley -Strong, “the Strong Man,” and Jackson -contracted for the tunnel. They were to start -from each side, meet exactly in the middle -in sixty days,—a minute stood for a day,—or -pay five million dollars fine. And over all -Billy kept a watchful eye, cast the glamour of -his eager spirit.</p> - -<p>What matter if the telegraph poles that were -to be just twelve feet—that is, twelve inches—fell -short or long sometimes.</p> - -<p>“Their knifes bin too dull, and she must -quick be done,” Max apologized to Billy on his -inspection trips.</p> - -<p>“We’ll play there’s a strike in the saw-mills, -Dutchy, and this is scab labor,” Billy excused -amiably. And for a fact the white cotton -string carried the messages quite safely from -the “Front,” where Jimmy and George laid -out the “line” over wonderful grades, across -impossible gorges; and “wired” back for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -further orders. Harry Potter was the operator -at the “Front,” and Vilette,—“Women do -operate, you know,” she said,—Vilette was the -proud holder of “the key” at Headquarters, -where Clarence Hammond strutted around as -Messenger; and because he was the “son of the -Boss,” bullied his Cousin Harry unmercifully.</p> - -<p>“Geegustibus! You kids are doin’ a fine -job,” Billy encouraged, as he walked by the -line of little bending, sweating backs. “There -never was a railroad built on the square like -this. Contractors on time; men a-workin’ -that’s got brains an’ ain’t afraid to use ’em. -Jiminy crickets, it’s fine!”</p> - -<p>Every back bent a little lower. Every face -flushed a little rosier under its coat of grime. -Praise from Billy was all they asked.</p> - -<p>“Well, I must get at my job, too. That’s -thinking up things. You fellers do your work -an’ get your money; but I got to rustle that -money or bust.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>“O Billy, it hurts the ears of my mind to -hear you say those vulgar words.” May Nell, -playing “man” for the first time in her life, -looked up from the “rod of grade” that she was -piling deftly with a broken shingle. The color -from sun and exercise added much to her -beauty. She was neither blowsy nor smudged -like the other children, and her lawn frock was -as spotless as in the morning.</p> - -<p>Billy looked at her thoughtfully, wondering -why her fearless criticism did not displease him; -lifted his battered hat and mussed again his -tousled hair. “All right, Fair Ellen, I’ll try -to obey the—”</p> - -<p>“Lady of the Lake?” she finished quickly in -a question. “Do you know that, too? I love -it.”</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first">“‘One burnished sheet of living gold,</div> -<div class="verse">Loch Katrine lay beneath him rolled,’”</div> -</div></div> - -<p>she quoted glibly. “I know a lot more of it. -Do you?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>A scream from “the shack” stopped further -quotations. Billy ran up the hill to learn the -trouble. Only Evelyn was there in the little -house built, half of boards, half of willow twigs -woven lattice-wise, against a huge smooth rock. -Beside this rock also ascended a cobble chimney; -and the fireplace, roughly plastered, -served its purpose well. Billy had made it all, -and Edith wished the house fireplace would -draw as well.</p> - -<p>He found Evelyn on her knees before a hot -fire, bravely trying to hold level one of the -several pots that were sizzling there. Her -drooping hair smothered her small hot face, -and perspiration stood like dew on her anxious -little upper lip.</p> - -<p>“What’s the matter, Kiddie? Gee! Those -big girls ought not to leave you alone with that -fire; you’ll be cooked before the grub!” he -grumbled while he mended the fire and propped -the kettle. “Yum, yum! Things a-doin’ here.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -Makes a feller’s stomach feel like just before -Thanksgiving dinner.”</p> - -<p>Evelyn relieved of her fear of the tottering -kettle, roused to her charge. “Go ’way, Billy! -Thank you, Billy. You mustn’t stay here! -They’ll scold me. They said for me not to let -you come; an’—”</p> - -<p>“Why not, I’d like to know? Isn’t this -my shack? And shall I let a kid burn up?”</p> - -<p>“But it’s a secret,” she whispered in smothered -distress. “Please to go!”</p> - -<p>And Billy seeing sweet potatoes sticking out -of hot ashes, and other luxuries in evidence, -concluded that some business was “doin’ among -the girls,” where he wouldn’t be welcome. He -went back to the “Front,” where some of the -contractors were having a violent altercation -over the meaning of certain specifications. The -Boss soon arbitrated successfully, and things -moved “lively” for a short time, when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -banging of a dishpan announced dinner at “the -hotel.”</p> - -<p>“Right this way, ladies and gentlemen,” -Bess called from the edge of the far terrace. -“A dinner fit for the gods, ambrosia and nectar; -gifts from Flora and Fornax! Come up to the -garden of the gods and goddesses and feast -together!”</p> - -<p>Bess, though not quite twelve, was a striking -girl, larger than most women; with a mind as -unusual as her body. Poetry, music, mythology, -she fed upon these as a plant upon the sunshine. -She was not satisfied with ordinary -speech, but continually wove into the most -commonplace events the glamour of romance -and poetic words. A wise mother had stood between -her and the jeers of the thoughtless, that -she might have a normal girlhood; and Billy’s -mother and sister helped to make it possible -for her to play comfortably with those of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -own age. Yet it was a surprise to the stranger -to see this dark-eyed, magnificent woman-creature -in short skirts romping with children.</p> - -<p>To-day she was happy. It had fallen to -her to general this great feast that Billy’s mates -had planned for the celebration of his birthday. -All had contributed. Not only the girls had -cooked—Jean had baked a big cake, Jackson -had made the candy, and Jimmy and -George had sneaked up from the “Front,” and -set up the long table in the arbor.</p> - -<p>According to plan, Billy’s mother had called -and detained him while the score of laughing -youngsters gathered and stood silently around -the table. When he was running across the -lawn again, his face washed and hair combed, -matters he thought might well have been -omitted when time was so precious, he was -struck by the strange stillness. What had -happened to stop every tongue at once? He -ran on faster, through the trellis gate, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -halted, transfixed. A shout greeted him. Each -one waved a small flag, and sang lustily—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first2">“Where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy?</div> -<div class="verse">Oh, where have you been, charming Billy?”</div> -</div></div> - -<p>He looked at the beaming faces, at the beautiful -table with Jean’s great pagoda cake in the -centre, the dates, 1893-1906, in evergreen; -at the flowers everywhere; at the dishes,—they -usually ate from vine leaves at their out-of-door -feasts,—at the paper napkins folded -fantastically and hovering over the table like -gay butterflies. His eloquent face told his -surprise, his gratitude, his delight. He opened -his mouth to speak some fitting word, but it -wouldn’t come. He tried again, for he felt -the occasion called for something formally appreciative. -But only a whimsical idea flitted -into his mind; and he sang back—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="indent4">“I’ve not been to seek a wife,</div> -<div class="indent5">You can bet your old sweet life,</div> -<div class="verse">For I’m a young thing and cannot leave my mother.”</div> -</div></div> - -<p>A gleeful yell greeted his paraphrase. While<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -they ate it all came out, how they had planned -and executed. Harold had peas and strawberries -hidden in his mysterious basket, freshly -gathered by his own hands that morning. -George and Jimmy had furnished and dressed -the chickens, and the girls had roasted them—with -a little supervision from Mrs. Bennett—in -the Yukon camping stove that belonged to -Harry’s mother. Bess had given the dishes, -blue and white enamel, strong as well as -good to the eye, and ready for many another -frolic.</p> - -<p>Max furnished the milk. “I haf gif mine cow -much sugar to make dot milk sweet for Pilly -to-day,” he explained happily to Mrs. Bennett.</p> - -<p>And so the story went on. All the wholesome -things of the country that children like -had come from one and another. And each -had been as happy in giving as Billy could -possibly be in receiving.</p> - -<p>Bess, an only child, was usually present at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -frequent entertainments her parents gave, and -was familiar with some of the more formal table -customs. She wished Billy’s dinner to have -every dignity, and to this end rose and proposed -a toast to him. They drank it standing, with -cheers. And Billy, accustomed to having the -largest voice in every noise, stood and joined -lustily; till Jackson, who helped his father at -the catering for lodge banquets, and knew a -thing or two, reached behind Jean and pulled -the back of Billy’s coat violently. “Pst! Set -down!” he hissed, tragically.</p> - -<p>And Billy, suddenly remembering who was -being cheered, slid to his seat sheepishly, a cold -feeling down his back, uncomfortable heat in -his cheeks.</p> - -<p>Jean changed the situation by proposing a -toast to Billy’s new sister.</p> - -<p>“Half-sister, step-sister, persister, or sister-in-law—” -Jimmy began, when Billy’s frown -stopped him, and Bess interrupted with, “He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -thinks he’s saying something witty: laugh -everybody.”</p> - -<p>But Jean spoke at once and heartily. -“Here’s to our latest addition. May she never -be subtracted from us. Already she’s multiplied -our joys, yet we hope she’ll not have -to divide our woes.”</p> - -<p>Jimmy was the first to stand and cheer.</p> - -<p>May Nell sat still and smiled modestly. -Billy stared at her, feeling still more foolish -over his own mistake.</p> - -<p>Presently Jimmy and George slipped away -and quickly returned bearing a huge freezer, -Mrs. Bennett following. Now Billy knew what -she had done with the cream.</p> - -<p>“It’s only your notion, Billy, that mother’s -cream is best; but I’ve been very happy making -it for you.” She began at once to serve it.</p> - -<p>“Billy, you’re a wise guy. This beats -Maskey’s,” Harold declared.</p> - -<p>“There isn’t any Maskey’s any more,” May<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -Nell mourned; “just ashes and old irons where -used to be such oceans of goodies in such beautiful -boxes and dishes.”</p> - -<p>All were silent for a little. Most of them had -been more than once to San Francisco’s celebrated -dealer in sweets.</p> - -<p>“Do you know how ice cream is made, May -Nell?” Jimmy asked to break the oppression.</p> - -<p>“No; will you tell me?”</p> - -<p>“First they feed the cow a barrel of sugar, -then they freeze her, after that milk her; and -there you have your ice cream.”</p> - -<p>May Nell looked incredulous. “And they -feed her strawberries and vanilla beans and -chocolate for flavors, I suppose; but how do -you separate them when you milk? Will you -show me the next time you fill that big bucket?” -She nodded her head toward the freezer, and -was so demure that not even Bess, still less -Jimmy, knew whether she was deceived or -poking fun.</p> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>May Nell was astonished at the country appetites, -astonished at her own; yet the cream also -disappeared; after which Bess, the magnificent, -rose, waved her hand theatrically toward Mrs. -Bennett, and declaimed,</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first2">“Here’s to our mothers,</div> -<div class="verse">Better than all others,</div> -<div class="verse">Whose feet never tire,</div> -<div class="verse">Whose hearts never—”</div> -</div></div> - -<p>Just then mischief took possession of Harry -Potter. He dropped a paper parcel behind -Vilette, and a little green snake wriggled out -and ran under the table. Vilette only grinned, -but May Nell saw it, screamed and grew white.</p> - -<p>“Oh, oh! It ran—across my—foot!” she -gasped, and fell over.</p> - -<p>Confusion followed. Harry was struck with -a great fear. Was she dead? He had never -seen a girl do so before. Would they hang -him?</p> - -<p>But May Nell recovered almost before Mrs. -Bennett had time to lift her. “I often do—do—faint,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -she apologized, “it isn’t—isn’t -’t all dangerous.” She smiled at Mrs. Bennett, -and the smile, the sweet, pale little face with -her hair a shining golden halo around it, made -of her an ethereal being almost unreal to the -awestricken children. Yet she was soon merry -again, apparently as well as ever.</p> - -<p>The hours passed in an uproar of fun. The -table was dismantled, toys, tools, and dishes -put away, and the feast had sped into the past.</p> - -<p>“It’s been the best ever,” Jean said, happily.</p> - -<p>“A perfectly gorgeous occasion,” Bess supplemented.</p> - -<p>“The bulliest time yet!” shouted Charley -from the street.</p> - -<p>“Mine stomach ist so full mine head cannot -t’ink,” Max stammered to Mrs. Bennett; “but -it vas bravo!”</p> - -<p>They all went off, a merry, noisy troop. And -the disappearing sun was the last to say to -Billy “Good-night.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER IV<br /> - -<small>THE TWO-LIGHT TIME</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">SUNDAY brought rain, and Mrs. Bennett -decided that May Nell must remain quietly -in the house. The only apparent result of her -exciting day, and the faint, was a languor that -made her willing to obey, to curl up by the fire, -with Sir Thomas by her side. He was a tremendous -cat, who accepted lazily all the caresses -bestowed upon him, while Flash, his white mate, -was shy, and unless forced, would not appear -before strangers.</p> - -<p>“They’re great frauds, those aristocratic cats -of sister’s,” Billy explained; “not a bit of use. -They won’t fight, and—”</p> - -<p>“O Billy, think how many gophers Flash -catches, and what gentlemen they are in the -house,” Edith defended. She was chorister for -one of the churches, and was now gathering -her music.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>“You never give my cats a chance,” Billy -complained.</p> - -<p>“Yes, we have, Billy,” Mrs. Bennett corrected. -“Bring them in now. Let May Nell -see our entire cat family.” She followed him -out, and presently returned with a plate of cut -meat which she placed on a newspaper on the -hearth.</p> - -<p>“A cat tablecloth!” the little girl laughed.</p> - -<p>“That’s for Billy’s cats; mine need none,” -Edith declared.</p> - -<p>The child reared without pets was delighted -with the animal life about her; the cats, old -Bouncer, the white chickens, and pigeons cooing -in the loft.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett called. The cats walked leisurely -to the hearth, sat down, one on either -side, and began to eat, each from his own side -of the plate. They were as deliberate and -dainty as well-bred children.</p> - -<p>Billy entered with a cat under each arm.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -“Geewhillikins,” he introduced, “the best -fighter in town,” and put down a stub-tailed, -gray cat, half as large as the house pets, with -“tom-cat” speaking from every hair of him. -“I think mamma’s partial,—she lets sister’s -cats come in the house, but not mine.”</p> - -<p>Geewhillikins did not wait for four feet to be -on the floor to spring at the plate. He put his -paws on one pile of meat, and began to gobble -the other, growling savagely. The house cats -drew back, curled their tails around their forefeet, -and looked at the gorger in calm disdain.</p> - -<p>“You haven’t noticed Jerusalem Crickets, -yet,” Billy said impressively, anxious to distract -attention from the little drama at the plate. -He placed his second cat on the floor, a gaunt -creature, brindled in many colors, with great -scared-looking eyes. “She’s afraid of everybody. -She never had any home till I brought -her here, poor thing! Just kicked from door -to door. And Geewhillikins, too—he was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -tiny kitten put in a sack to drown out in the -creek. And he was so plucky he just wiggled -to shallow water and hollered for a deliverer. -Of course that kind of cats don’t have manners. -How could they?” Billy was a fine special -pleader.</p> - -<p>“He was a real little cat Moses, wasn’t he? -And you—you must be Pharaoh’s son instead -of daughter.” The child laughed and clapped -her hands.</p> - -<p>Meantime Jerusalem Crickets, escaped from -Billy’s arm and eye, was sneaking about for -prey; and a clinking sound from the pantry -warned them that she had found it.</p> - -<p>“Run, Billy! You left the door open—she’ll -get the dinner!” Mrs. Bennett cautioned, -hurrying out herself to reckon the loss.</p> - -<p>“It’s only a chop left from yesterday,” he -excused on his return.</p> - -<p>“It might have been to-day’s roast,” Edith -protested, as she took the snarling Geewhillikins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -from his feast. “You see why Billy’s cats -don’t come in the house, May Nell.”</p> - -<p>“Did you forget their breakfast, Billy?” the -child questioned earnestly.</p> - -<p>“No, Billy never forgets his cats,” his sister -answered for him; “though the chickens might -sometimes suffer but for mamma. Take your -ill-bred felines out, Billy.”</p> - -<p>He obeyed, talking whimsically to his pets -as he went.</p> - -<p>“Flash and Tom wouldn’t touch meat left -on the table alone with them for a day,” Edith -said as she replenished the plate, shook and -folded away the paper, and called her cats.</p> - -<p>They walked up as before, and ate slowly, -piece by piece, neither touching a morsel on -the opposite side of the division line. Sir -Thomas finished first, and looked on while -Flash minced more daintily. He did not eat -all, but walked off to the plush-cushioned chair -they claimed as their own. Sir Thomas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -watched him curl up and rest his nose on his -white forepaws, then quickly finished the rest -of the meat and joined him. And now such a -toilet began. Each groomed the other; yet, -as always, Tom tired first while Flash worked -on till they both shone like silk, when he put -his long arms about Tom, nestled his head close -down, and both slept.</p> - -<p>The little girl forgot herself in watching them, -till Billy came in, smart and almost handsome -in his best suit.</p> - -<p>“Are your going to church?” she asked, disappointment -drawing her lips to a tremulous -curve.</p> - -<p>“I have to help sister, you know.”</p> - -<p>“But it isn’t ten o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Sunday School comes first.”</p> - -<p>“Sunday School, too? How long you’ll be -away!”</p> - -<p>Billy made no reply. He wondered if he -ought to stay at home.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>“Do you like it, Sunday School, I mean? I -don’t. I like church, though,—the great booming -organ, the beautiful singing. And when -the minister speaks I just float away into fairy-land -and never come back till he says, ‘The-Lord-make-his-face-to-shine-upon-us-amen.’”</p> - -<p>“I like Sunday School best ’cause I do things -there.”</p> - -<p>“What things?”</p> - -<p>“I’m sec’etary; and I pass the books, and -sing; and I’m—I’m giggle squelcher.”</p> - -<p>“What a funny word! What do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Why, you see,” Billy hesitated, for he was -modest, “sister has a class of us heathen boys, -and—well, you see, it’s this way; sister says,—she’s -partial, you know,—she says I have -influence; if I don’t giggle the others won’t, -and she gets on O. K.”</p> - -<p>“How splendid! You must go, Billy. Do -all the boys mind you?”</p> - -<p>“All but Sour; an’ sister’s fixed him. He’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -crazy over music, and she got his father to let -him take lessons, and that kid’s her slave ever -since. But it isn’t minding, Ladybird; the -guys take my cue, and we tell things we’ve -hunted up in the week about the lesson; and -sister tells things, and we’re so busy we forget -to be silly.”</p> - -<p>May Nell looked at him a minute before -speaking. “You like doing things, but you -don’t like work. Isn’t work doing things?”</p> - -<p>Billy stooped to tie shoestrings already tidy; -he was gaining time for thinking. “I reckon -doing things you don’t like is work, and doing -things you do like is play,” he explained, -doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“But some people like their work, don’t -they?” May Nell persisted. She was exploring -strange country.</p> - -<p>“I guess so. Teacher says every live thing -that’s happy works; birds, flowers, children; -that those that won’t work shouldn’t eat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -He says the greatest joy is to do the work you -like best as well as you can.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve never worked,” May Nell said reminiscently; -“but there’s one hard thing I’ve -done—I’ve kept very still when mama has -her headaches.”</p> - -<p>“Gee whack! That’s the hardest work of -all,” Billy complimented.</p> - -<p>Edith came in dressed for church.</p> - -<p>“My conscience! How lovely and stylish -you look!” The child, accustomed to elegant -dress, praised with discriminating eyes.</p> - -<p>When brother and sister left her, strange -thoughts flitted through her head. She heard -Mrs. Bennett beating eggs in the kitchen; saw -the logs Billy had piled in the wood-box. On -the wall above the piano hung Edith’s schedule—time -table, Billy called it. May Nell had -already studied it, had seen the fifty or more -lessons set for each week; and needlework on -the music table, and books there the child had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -discovered were for music study,—these told -her what a busy woman Billy’s sister must be.</p> - -<p>Yet it was very strange, they were all happy! -Happier, she felt, than her own mother with -maids and money, gems, rich gowns, and her -motor car at command. Why was it? “Those -that won’t work shouldn’t eat.” Could that -be true? Then she should not eat, for she never -worked. She wondered how it would seem to -work.</p> - -<p>Full of her thought she slipped from the -couch, and went to the kitchen. “Mrs. Bennett, -haven’t you some work a little girl could -do?”</p> - -<p>The divining woman looked into May Nell’s -beautiful eyes, too deep and thoughtful for her -slender body; drew her close and kissed her. -“Yes, dear, just the nicest sort of work for a -little girl. You may hull these strawberries; -and if you eat some for toll I shan’t be looking.”</p> - -<p>The child seeing the twinkle in the older eyes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -laughed aloud; and, wrapped in a voluminous -apron, began the first task that had ever left -its stain on her pretty fingers.</p> - -<p>Her questions brought long and wonderful -tales of Billy’s younger life; of Edith when she, -too, was a little girl. The child helped to set -the table, carried in bread, salad plates, and jelly. -“It shakes like the fat woman at the circus -when she laughed. How do you make jelly?”</p> - -<p>“Next month when currants are ripe you -shall see.”</p> - -<p>“And help?” May Nell asked, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“If you wish to do so.”</p> - -<p>Why, it was going to be fine to work! Why -had she not known it before?</p> - -<p>Services were over before she found time to -be lonely. Dinner passed happily. The cats -stayed quietly in their chair till dessert, when -they came, one on either side of Edith, and stood -with their forepaws on the table, their heads and -shoulders above it.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>“Flash has cake, Sir Thomas cheese,” Edith -explained, giving each his coveted bit. They -took the morsels from her fingers, ate them -delicately, and mewed once. “That’s ‘Thank -you,’” Edith interpreted.</p> - -<p>“It’s a hurry-up order for more,” Billy -amended.</p> - -<p>“No more, kitties; that’s all that is good for -you. Go back to your chair.”</p> - -<p>They looked at her a minute, dropped reluctantly -to the floor, and retired.</p> - -<p>“Why, they know what you say—mind!” -May Nell exclaimed, admiringly.</p> - -<p>“Obedience, thy name is cats,” Billy preached -solemnly.</p> - -<p>It had stopped raining, but was still cloudy. -This was the hour when Billy usually wheeled -long miles by himself, dreaming dreams no one -but a boy knows how to dream. Nothing short -of a downpour ever hindered him; thus mother -and sister knew it was genuine self-sacrifice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -that kept him beside the little girl through -the long afternoon.</p> - -<p>All his treasures, pictures, marbles, mineral -specimens, what not, were displayed and explained. -And finally came the books, when -Billy discovered that she knew most of his favorites, -loved them as he did, and could introduce -him to new ones that promised delight.</p> - -<p>So the hours passed. The two women had -their quiet rest till five o’clock when they came -down for the usual singing. May Nell had a -sweet voice, surprisingly strong for a child; -and when she asked to play her own accompaniment -to a little song unknown to Edith, -the latter was surprised by the child’s skill, and -still more by her rare feeling and expression.</p> - -<p>“I can dance, too,” she said with childish -pride.</p> - -<p>“Sister, she’ll be hunkey for the fairy queen -in your Spring Festival, won’t she? She’s a -regular progidy, isn’t she?” Billy’s eyes shone.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>“Can he mean ‘prodigy,’ do you think, May -Nell?” Edith’s eyes were mischievous.</p> - -<p>“I mix up words that way sometimes, too,” -the child excused.</p> - -<p>“Bully for you, Ladybird. I’ve got a -backer you see, sister.”</p> - -<p>“I like ‘Ladybird,’ but not ‘bully,’” the -little girl returned shyly.</p> - -<p>Supper passed. Edith went to church, Billy -to keep an appointment with his teacher; and -the spring twilight settled down over the room. -Mrs. Bennett knew this would be a trying hour, -and hastened her work, inventing some light -task for May Nell; hastened also the errand to -her own room. Yet though she was gone but -a moment, on returning a sob greeted her from -the cuddled heap on the couch.</p> - -<p>She took the child in her comforting arms. -“Don’t cry, little one! We shall find her, never -fear.”</p> - -<p>“But this is the time my mama needs me,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -May Nell sobbed; “Sunday night in the two-light -time, before the stars come out, really, -and when the shadow people creep from the -corners and blink at you.”</p> - -<p>“We won’t have any shadow people to-night, -darling.” Mrs. Bennett rose and turned on the -lights, though it was not yet dark; drew the -curtains, and punched the fire till a storm of -sparks sputtered up the chimney.</p> - -<p>“My papa told me to be a very brave little -girl, and no matter what happened to take care -of my mama. And now—I’ve l-lost her; -and my braveness is all leaking away.” She -covered her face with her hands and sobbed -bitterly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett hugged her closer and patted -her cheek softly, but let the passion of tears -spend itself a little before trying the comfort -of words. Then she questioned of the child’s -parents, her past life, and the events just preceding -the catastrophe in San Francisco, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -she herself might better understand how to -shield and make happy the little waif that a -terrible, heaving earth had cast into her home, -her arms.</p> - -<p>“Papa went away to South America when I -was eight. He told me I must be very wise -and help mama to do what was right,—sometimes -she does take my advice, you know. -I’ve tried to be brave so God would bring her -back to me; but my braveness isn’t very -strong yet, or I wouldn’t cry so, would I?” -she questioned, with a teary little smile.</p> - -<p>Not all at once but slowly, with mother’s -tact, Mrs. Bennett won the little heart to partial -peace; and when the gate clicked, and -Billy’s voice was heard, she was almost gay. -“I must be laughing when they come in,” she -whispered, “so they won’t see the tears in my -eyes and think I am unthankful.”</p> - -<p>The door opened on a smiling little face, -though she tried to keep in the shadow. Still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -when Billy kissed his mother good-night, caught -his sister in his arms and raced up and down -with her, singing extravagantly a snatch from -some opera, May Nell hid her face and cried -again.</p> - -<p>Watchful Mrs. Bennett was not far away. -She stopped the boy’s noise, and cuddled the -bereft one once more. “What is it, child? -You are to be brave, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Y-yes, b-but how can I when I have no one -to say ‘mama’ to, only a Mrs.”</p> - -<p>“You have, you have, dear baby! I’ll be -your mother, and you can call me ‘mamma’ -as Billy does.”</p> - -<p>“And you’re my Ladybird sister,” Billy -said, very softly for him, and threw his arm -about them both.</p> - -<p>“And, darling, I know how to find your -mother,” Edith encouraged, brushing her own -moist eyes, and clasping them all in her round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -young arms. “I’ll have your picture taken, -and get it in all the papers—”</p> - -<p>“Just like a football champion,” Billy interrupted.</p> - -<p>“No, like a prima donna,” his sister retorted.</p> - -<p>“Rather like a dear little girl, that so will -find her mother,” Mrs. Bennett reassured.</p> - -<p>Amid the wealth of love how could the little -heart refuse comfort? Billy tossed her to his -shoulder and carried her to his mother’s room, -where both women coddled her and Edith sang -her into a sweet sleep.</p> - - - - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - -<small>THE FAIR ELLEN</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap2">LITTLE by little they learned something of -May Nell’s story. Her mother had intended -to start for New York on the morning of the -earthquake, having been called there by her -own mother’s illness. Mrs. Smith, though held -to the last by household business, had let her -little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and -cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and -who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother -at the Ferry Building the next morning. But -where at night had stood the hotel with its -many human lives housed within, the next -morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins -burning fiercely. A stranger rescued May Nell, -though her aunt and cousin had to be left -behind, pinned to their fiery death.</p> - -<p>All that dreadful day the man searched for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -the little girl’s mother, but their house was early -prey to the flames, and he could get no trace -of her. He was only passing through the city; -and having fortunately saved his money and -tickets, was anxious to be on his way across -the Pacific. Consequently nothing better -offered than to send the child with other refugees -to the kind hospitality of the country.</p> - -<p>Edith had quickly put her plan in execution, -aided by the willing newspapers; but so far -nothing had come of it, and mother and daughter -feared their charge had lost more than aunt -and cousin. South America, a very definite -spot in the child’s mind, was still too vague a -postoffice address for even Uncle Sam’s marvellous -mail-carrying; and so, while encouraging -May Nell, the two women tacitly adopted -her into their hearts and discussed her future -as if she were their own.</p> - -<p>It was a blessing that even her loyal soul -must yield to nature’s balm of passing time;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -in wholesome companionship and the fragrant -warmth of a country spring she somewhat forgot -the grief that would otherwise have worn -to death her frail little body.</p> - -<p>“My mama doesn’t believe in public school,” -she had announced that first Monday morning; -but had gone obediently when Mrs. Bennett -decided it best. And the new life, the -stimulation of study, the competition in class, -her knowledge of books, and the prestige of her -story,—these made school a delight, brought -a happy light to her eye, a tinge of color to -her too fair cheek.</p> - -<p>Her wardrobe was a heavy drain on Edith’s -purse, yet the young teacher delighted almost -as a mother in the dainty garments that won -her to extravagance.</p> - -<p>Billy also undertook to do his share. A generous -sum of money had been offered to the -best student in the graduating class of the grammar -school; and he decided to try for it. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -when Billy made up his mind to anything connected -with books, it was as good as done. For -if he had to study a little harder than some, his -perseverance, added to an unusual facility in -telling what he knew, helped him to success.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett wished May Nell to be in the -open air as much as possible; and this meant a -new experience for Billy, which he accepted with -tolerable grace.</p> - -<p>“A girl under foot all the time,” Shifty complained. -He had no sister.</p> - -<p>“Well, you know the other thing to do if you -don’t like it,” Billy retorted, bluntly. “She’s -my sister till her folks are found, and that -isn’t likely.”</p> - -<p>“But if your steamer works you don’t want -its secrets peddled round; and girls always -blab.”</p> - -<p>“You’re the only girl I’m afraid of in that -line. Isn’t that so, Pretty?”</p> - -<p>“You bet!” Pretty endorsed, inelegantly.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>This conversation took place in Billy’s shop, -a room adjoining the wood-house and given over -to his use. Nothing short of the world in the -second verse of Genesis was equal to the chaos -of that place. Every conceivable scrap and -job lot of “truck” was there in a jumbled heap; -and Billy was never happier than when mussing -it over in search of “material”; in greasy overalls -and crownless hat, whistling merrily, bringing -forth to substance and form the inventions -of his busy brain.</p> - -<p>The blandishments of soda water fountains, -candy stores, and other boyish temptations, -found no victim in Billy. But if Mr. Cooper, -the tinshop man, had driven hard bargains -he would have bankrupted the boy. As it was -his weekly allowance suffered in spite of Mr. -Cooper’s generosity and Billy’s free access to -a rich scrap heap at the rear of the big shop -where everything, one would say, in tin and -iron was made, from well pipe, tanks, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -boilers, to tin wings for Edith’s fairies in the -opera.</p> - -<p>Now a steamboat was on hand. At odd -times for weeks, Billy, Harold, and one or two -other boys, under secrecy of lock and key, had -been slowly bringing to completion a wonderful -structure.</p> - -<p>Billy had intended naming it <i>The Jean</i>, but -Charley had stood for <i>Queen Bess</i>, Harold -didn’t like either name, and George and -Jimmy had objected to “girl kid names, anyway.” -They had, however, unanimously compromised -on <i>The Edith</i>, for Billy’s sister was -adored privately by all of his older friends, -adored openly and “tagged” by the little ones. -Edith, since May Nell’s coming, suggested her -name. The little girl agreed if it could be -Ellen; Billy added “Fair” with her permission; -and this name he painted over each -paddle wheel with no opposition from the -others.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>All was now ready for firing. “She” was -to be run by oil. They took her out through -the double doors, both swung wide for the first -time in many weeks. It was all the boys could -do to carry the heavy thing, though they went -quite steadily across the vegetable garden, not -without some damage to spring lettuce and summer -corn, however; but on the steep, uneven -slope below, the <i>Fair Ellen</i> came almost to grief.</p> - -<p>“Bear up aft there!” Billy commanded; and -“Ay, ay, sir,” came back in equally nautical -language.</p> - -<p>“Easy, mates. Kids, belay there, till we -launch her!” This to the gaping youngsters -always in the way.</p> - -<p>“Wharfmaster, ahoy!” Billy hailed, as they -came near the water’s edge. “Is all ship-shape?”</p> - -<p>“Ay, ay, sir,” came this time from two boys -who had charge of some logs lashed together -and crossed and recrossed by a hash-like lot -of refuse lumber, and moored with a dog chain.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>“Mother, do come and look at the procession,” -Edith called cautiously from the trellises, where -she was slyly watching.</p> - -<p>Billy heard her, though. “Come on, sister, -mamma, too, and see the fun,” he called, not -unwillingly, for he was a bit proud of their work -now that it was out in the light of day. He -had reason; it was really an imposing craft for -boys to build from scraps.</p> - -<p>A crowd of smaller children momentarily -increasing, capered about the sweating five. -Max bounded over the high fence, breathless, -fearing he would be late. Jean and Bess hurried -down the hill, each telling the other she -couldn’t spare the time for “just boys’ foolishness.” -Jackson appeared on top of the -south stone abutment, halting there till Billy’s -hearty invitation brought him flying down into -the inclosure.</p> - -<p>Bouncer barked at Billy’s heels. Geewhillikins -chased an imaginary foe down the hill,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -and Jerusalem Crickets crept stealthily along -the upper support of the side picket fence, -trailing a venturesome sparrow.</p> - -<p>Even the white chickens followed in a cackling -bunch as they always did when Billy appeared -at this hour, for it was almost feeding -time. And the pigeons wheeled and whirred, -lighting almost under foot only to be up and -off again, a flash of white and gray.</p> - -<p>Behind the two women trotted a chubby -baby. “I see Billy boat,” he cried, shrilly, -stumbled, fell, scrambled up again, and repeated -his refrain.</p> - -<p>“Why, Buzz Lancaster, how did you get -here?” Edith went back and steadied him -over the uneven ground. “Phew! He smells of -gasoline! Where has he been, do you suppose, -mother?”</p> - -<p>“I comed,” he said, calmly, “I see Billy -boat.”</p> - -<p>“Hurry up, Buzz!” Billy called as he raced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -by from the shop, where he had been for the -oil can to fill the boat’s reservoir.</p> - -<p>“Shan’t we defer the ceremonies till we can -get Charley’s little sister and Jackson’s two -weeks’ old brother?” Jimmy asked, disagreeably.</p> - -<p>“Hold your grouch, Sour,” Harold expostulated.</p> - -<p>“Please don’t call Jimmy ‘Sour,’” May Nell -pleaded. “He’s big and dark and splendid; -and his other name is going to be Roderick -Dhu; and he’ll be kind to all weak things, -and fight for the Douglases, and for the <i>Fair -Ellen</i>.” She waved her hand toward the -steamboat.</p> - -<p>Jimmy tried not to look pleased, but failed. -Something about May Nell attracted him, -whether it was her beauty, her fearlessness, -or her air of distinction he did not know. It -was really her recognition of something fine -in him that his cold and irascible father had -almost whipped out of him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>“All ready?” cried Captain Billy. “Are -you ready, Ladybird?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, Captain,” she answered, her eyes -aglow while she smoothed refractory frills. -She wore a wonderful trailing robe of tissue -paper, “ruffled to the guards,” Billy said. On -her head was a towering cap of the same; and -a light wind bellied out her wide angel sleeves -like sails before a spanking breeze.</p> - -<p>She stood at the end of the creaking wharf, -and one little bare arm was lifted high. She -held a small fruit jar filled with water and beet -juice. It was awkward, but Billy had insisted -on the fruit jar,—“So’s it will be sure to break; -it’s the only kind of a bottle that always will -break.”</p> - -<p>They fired up. An ominous sizz and clatter -began. Five pairs of hands shoved the smart -boat into the water at May Nell’s feet. The -children shouted. The dog barked and the -chickens cackled. And above all the din May<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -Nell’s sweet voice rang out, “I christen thee, -O wondrous vessel, <i>The Fair Ellen</i>.” She improvised -hastily; for no one had thought to -prepare a speech for the occasion.</p> - -<p>The bottle went crash, and a furious yell informed -the neighborhood that the Gang was -“up to some new deviltry.”</p> - -<p>But another and unexpected crash followed, -and a shower of burning oil shot up and caught -May Nell’s flimsy paper frock.</p> - -<p>Yet before one could think, almost before -the paper had time to burn, Jimmy sprang to -her, seized her in his arms, tearing at the -shrivelling paper, and jumped far out over the -flaming boat into a deep pool.</p> - -<p>For a horror-stricken moment no one spoke. -Even the dumb creatures were still; and Buzz, -thinking it all for his benefit, watched open-mouthed -for the next act in the play.</p> - -<p>But Mrs. Bennett, fleet though speechless, -was at the water’s edge by the time Jimmy had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -risen with May Nell quite safe. She spluttered -and choked a little; but Jimmy had been so -quick there was not even a red spot on her -flesh to show the touch of fire.</p> - -<p>She was a queer draggled little creature, with -her soaked and tattered dress, and her yellow -curls all stringlets. Timidly she touched -Jimmy’s blistered hands, realized what he had -saved her from, and when she looked her gratitude -into his dark eyes something awoke in his -heart that never slept again.</p> - -<p>“You had very soon to fight for the Douglases, -didn’t you, Roderick Dhu?” she said, as -Mrs. Bennett covered her with an apron, and -Billy took her up and went toward the house.</p> - -<p>“I thank you, Roderick Dhu,” she called out -over Billy’s shoulder with another little choke, -for Jimmy had refused Mrs. Bennett’s offer of -dry clothes and was starting home alone.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0094-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">Jimmy sprang for her</p> - -<p>So imminent had catastrophe been, that no -one thought of the poor small steamer burning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -unchecked to the water’s edge while the procession -climbed the hill; no one knew till days -afterward that busy Buzz had entered the open -shop and mixed Billy’s cans so that it was gasoline -instead of kerosene that he fed that fated -craft. But gratitude for Jimmy’s bravery and -May Nell’s safety supplanted even in the youngest -heart all regret for the boat.</p> - -<p>All but May Nell; when Edith and Mrs. -Bennett rubbed and warmed her she declared -she didn’t need it, and was so absorbed in -lamenting the loss of the <i>Fair Ellen</i>, she could -think of nothing else.</p> - -<p>“So long as it isn’t you, Ladybird, it’s all -right,” Billy consoled; “we can make more -boats.”</p> - -<p>But May Nell was not to be comforted, till -that evening when she composed a wonderful -ode to “The Wreck of the <i>Fair Ellen</i>.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER VI<br /> - -<small>“THE TRIUMPH OF FLORA”</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap2">AFTER the disaster of the <i>Fair Ellen</i>, Billy -promised his mother to bar explosives -from his play, a promise made readily, for -“Betsey has been giving it to me good an’ -plenty for leaving that door open,” he explained -to her. Thus the Alaska trade which the boys -intended the <i>Fair Ellen</i> to wrest from Seattle, -thereby transferring some of her prosperity to -California’s stricken seaport, remained with the -northern metropolis; and they sought other -outlet for their energies.</p> - -<p>Billy organized a real estate syndicate, and -sold lots to the Gang, “with or without liability -to assessment, as the purchaser prefers.” A -Board of Trade was organized to which all -promised to defer, except Jimmy, who smiled -in disdain. He leased the railroad and did a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -thriving carrying trade, timber for fencing and -warehouses, dirt for filling, and so on; and was -fast becoming “the millionaire of the crowd,” -when the “Board” met and decided he should -cut his tariff in half or leave the syndicate; and -as Jimmy was heartily interested in the game, -he accepted their decision and no longer smiled -at the Board of Trade.</p> - -<p>Max, whose father was a gardener, knew -wizard’s tricks with seeds and soils; and as -Farmer and Forester to the syndicate, gave -his knowledge right and left with happy importance. -He taught the girls how to plan and -plant their flower beds, and started the boys -on a career of vegetable-raising that made them -feel rich before they began; talked trees to -Harold and other farmer boys, and astonished -his father by the questions he asked and the -work he did.</p> - -<p>“I haf learn for gifing avay already, but I -feel more as rich dan if they haf gif to me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -How ist dat?” Max asked himself, not knowing, -this little German lad so lately come to America, -that he had discovered one of the profoundest -secrets of the universe.</p> - -<p>To his mother and sister Billy seemed changed. -He stuck closer to his books. His teacher told -them the boy stood at the head of his class. -“Jimmy Dorr may be a rival if he feels like -work, which isn’t probable. Jean’s accident -last year put her behind, otherwise the boys -would have to work much harder if either excelled -her.” Yet even these welcome words -did not account for some things the mother -quietly observed; Billy’s growing promptness, -better attention, and memory for matters outside -of play. He was more silent, too; and -there was less hammering and whistling in the -shop.</p> - -<p>“Billy, I don’t like the look of your eyes; -you’re reading too much at night,” his mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -said one evening when he was helping with the -dishes. “You must go to bed earlier.”</p> - -<p>May Nell had learned to use the towel; and -the two children usually “did” the dishes at -night; but now she was away with Edith at the -Opera House, and mother and son were alone -in the kitchen.</p> - -<p>Billy had been reeling off stanzas of his favorite -“Lady of the Lake,”—“by the yard,” Mrs. -Bennett said, acting it as he recited, somewhat -retarding the work and endangering the dishes. -Now he dropped his towel, caught up his mother -and raced with her around the room. He was so -strong that she was almost helpless in his grasp.</p> - -<p>“You little bit of a woman! Do you think -I’ll mind you? I’m Roderick Dhu of Benvenue, -the bravest chief of all the crew! I’m -Captain Kidd, the pirate bold, whose treasure, -hid, lies yet in mould. I’m the strong man, -the bad—”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>A lot more nonsense he rattled off, squeezing -and kissing her till she was breathless with -laughter.</p> - -<p>“Now you’re Fair Ellen and I’m defending -you at Goblin Cave!” He thrust her behind -him, held her tight with one arm, while he -flourished the carving knife and called on Clan -Alpine’s foes to appear.</p> - -<p>But the moment of frolic passed, and he -turned to her with shining face. “You’re the -only mother I ever had—so far as I know—” -his eyes danced; “anyway, you’re the only one -in sight, an’ a heap too good for this guy; I -guess—I’ll—I’ll mind.”</p> - -<p>His mood grew more thoughtful. He put -the dishes away quietly, and neither spoke again -till the work was finished. Then he went and -kissed her on the cheek. “It’s good to have -you all to myself, little mother; to be just -chums once more.”</p> - -<p>She put back his tumbled hair, looked long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -into his eyes, realizing with a shock that she -was looking <i>up</i>. Her little boy was gone.</p> - -<p>“But I don’t wish May Nell away, mother, -do you?”</p> - -<p>“No, my son.” The answer was more sincere -than a few weeks before she could have -believed possible. The coming of the child -had taken from her life many hours of association -with Billy, sweet as only mothers know; -yet May Nell’s influence had softened and refined -Billy, enlarged his vision.</p> - -<p>He tidied himself, bade his mother good-bye, -and followed the girls to rehearsal.</p> - -<p>Sometimes all the small meanness of everyday -life is swept away by a great calamity, and the -world forgets to hate, and opens its great heart -of love. Such an event came through the catastrophe -in San Francisco. It inclined every -ear, moistened every eye. From all the -world’s pocketbook came the golden dollars; -from every soul the longing to do; and when it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -was done, disappointment because it was so -little.</p> - -<p>Vina was no exception. Ball games, church -collections, children’s mite societies, girls sewing, -boys running errands, each and all helped -with the relief work.</p> - -<p>When Edith planned to turn her pupils’ recital -into a great Spring Festival, for the benefit -of the sufferers, all the town applauded, and -asked how it could help.</p> - -<p>Edith worked very hard. She called her -operetta “The Triumph of Flora.” The words -were her own, written hurriedly and set to familiar -though classic airs. Yet many of the daintiest, -most tripping melodies she wrote herself. -The sorrows of humanity had winged her brain -and dipped her pen in harmonies, that she might -assuage them.</p> - -<p>All went well with the preparation; and on a -glorious spring night in the full moon, the town -and countryside jammed the Opera House “to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -its eyebrows,” Billy said, looking through the -peephole in the curtain to the high window -seats crowded with boys.</p> - -<p>The operetta opened with a weird winter -scene, when the Sower (Harold) sowed his grain, -and the gnomes and elves set upon him; and -evoked Storm King (Jimmy), Wind (Bess), and -Frost (Jackson). He was the comedy of the -little drama; and dressed all in black, covered -with silver spangles and diamond dust, he made -a joke that the wine-growers appreciated, for it -is the black frosts of April they fear.</p> - -<p>After these followed Jean as Rain. Wherever -she passed the singers bowed their heads -and sang more softly, and Frost retreated in -haste.</p> - -<p>Billy was the sun, dressed in a pale yellow -tunic, and crowned with a fillet of sun-bursts -cut from gilt paper. He came but a little way -on the stage from the south for each of his short -solos; and the others pelted him back. Especially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -did he hide from Rain behind Cloud, a -tall girl in a small ocean of gray tulle.</p> - -<p>At the close of the act, in the far, high distance, -the Goddess, Flora, appeared on a hill-crest. -This was Edith herself, arrayed in a -filmy gown of pale green, garlanded with snow-drops -and buttercups. High, far, and faint -came her song of the dawn of Spring. But the -gnomes and the elves, Storm, Wind, Frost, and -Rain, roared and howled; and Flora, affrighted, -fled from view.</p> - -<p>The curtain fell on the first act and the house -rocked with the noise. It is probable the -audience, predetermined to be pleased, would -have approved anything offered; but so far it -was more beautiful than had been expected.</p> - -<p>The second act brought a conflict between -elves and gnomes, and the fairies, when first -the earth sprites were victorious, but at last the -fairies. May Nell was the Fairy Queen, and -enchanted all with her beauty, her dancing and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -singing, and her acting, which was sweetly -childish as well as clever.</p> - -<p>Flora came into view, clad in palest pink, -and wreathed with almond blossoms. Wherever -she stepped the ground was white with -almond snow. Gnomes and elves peeped from -behind gray rocks and tree-trunks, but fled as -she came near, following the ever-beckoning -fairies.</p> - -<p>Sun, dressed this time in bright yellow satin, -and crowned with yellow gems, was surrounded -by fairies, and came more and more boldly -forward. He beckoned to Flora, menaced the -earth sprites, and threatened Storm, Wind, and -Frost; and at the close was rewarded by Flora’s -rejoicing cry,</p> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first2">“I come! I come at thy call, O Sun!</div> -<div class="verse">Thy high commands shall quick be done.”</div> -</div></div> - -<p>The curtain fell a second time to still heartier -applause; and the long wait between the acts -was forgotten in discussion and approval. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -richest people in town had aided Edith with her -costuming and properties, that thus every penny -of the receipts might be saved for the great -purpose. They had brought out all their stores -of rich fabric, fine lace, jewels, and ornaments, -for the small mummers; and the effect was -entrancing.</p> - -<p>The last act exhausted the possibilities of the -theatre in light effects and sylvan scenery; and -the curtain rose on a gorgeous scene. But oh, -horror! In the middle of the stage the scene-shifters -had left the ugly truck that moved -Storm King’s reservoir of ice and snow. When -used in previous acts, bed and wheels had been -hidden by moss, the tank had been covered by -his mantle, and the entire mechanism, moving -as he moved, had seemed a part of himself. -Now its secret was disclosed and it was ridiculous.</p> - -<p>Edith in white, half smothered in blush roses, -with the fairies and their Queen, stood ready<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -in the wings. Billy was also waiting his cue. -This time he was to be pulled swiftly in on invisible -wheels. Over his satin tunic was a network -of glittering mock gems that must have -included every yellow bead and spangle in Vine -County. From his shoulders floated a cloud -of yellow, diamond-dusted tulle; and the crown -of gems surrounded a cluster of small lights, a -device Billy himself had figured out with the -aid of the electric light man.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Billy, Billy! My beautiful opera is -ruined!” Edith wailed, as she heard the jeers of -the small boys in the audience.</p> - -<p>“No, it isn’t, sister! I’ve thought of a way -out. Keep the kids straight here—I’ll be back -in a minute.”</p> - -<p>This act opened with a hidden chorus that -lasted two or three moments, the fairies on the -one hand inviting the elves and gnomes to join -them; the others responding. While this was -in progress Billy rushed to the boys’ dressing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -room and talked furiously but straight to the -purpose.</p> - -<p>“Say, fellows, business now, and no questions -asked. There’s a hitch on the stage. Storm, -wrap that cloak round you—don’t wait for -fixings—and get to your place in the wings, -quick! When I say ‘Go,’ take Rain’s hand, -crouch low, run to the centre, and between you -yank that snow tank off the stage. <i>Sabe?</i>”</p> - -<p>Across to the girls’ side he flew. He knew -Jean. She would manage somehow, no matter -what the difficulty. And he did not trust her -without reason. She was already in her shining -misty robe that was to change her from Rain -to Dew; but she caught the gray mantle, -covered herself with it as she ran, and was in -the wings almost as soon as Billy.</p> - -<p>He placed them before him, Rain and Storm, -took his great golden horn of plenty under his -arm, stepped on the wheeled board, signalled -the super, and rolled on, driving the crouching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -pair in front of him with pelting showers’ of rose -leaves, and landing at his station just as the -chorus filed in. The gray pair threw their -shrouding mantles over the truck, and still -crouching pushed it out of sight; and the spectators, -believing they had laughed in the wrong -place, cheered vociferously, and never knew the -difference.</p> - -<p>Rain dropped her gray mantle behind a tree, -and reappeared with her chalice of diamond-dust -dew, to touch the fairy chorus to shimmering -beauty. The gnomes, their queer masks -and hunched shoulders showing grotesquely -under their gray garb, joined the fairies’ dance. -Wind came floating in as Summer Breeze. -Storm was transformed to the Slave of the -Sower; while Black Frost was perched high -up at the rear, grinning from the top of the -mountain.</p> - -<p>The Sun called to Flora, and she appeared -by his side. In front of them knelt the Sower,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -crowned with leaves. The Sun bestowed upon -him a cornucopia overflowing with cherries; -Flora laid on his other arm long sprays of roses.</p> - -<p>The fairies, gnomes, and elves, danced, sang, -and retired; elves and gnomes crouching close -against trees and rocks, the fairies withdrawing -only to reappear one by one as the music went -on, here and there, high in the trees; and each -had a tiny light on her brow. But just over -Flora and Sun, poised and upheld by invisible -wires, stood the Queen of the Fairies, crown, -wand, and shoulders fire-tipped, her arms -waving, her filmy draperies continually fluttering, -fanned by an artificial breeze. Over -all fell a rain of rose leaves.</p> - -<p>The scene ended in a crash of music; the -curtain fell to a house wild with cheering. -Edith and the principal performers were called -again and again before the curtain. It was -a generous, appreciative audience, giving its -heartiest approval by rising.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>Late that night when Billy’s mother followed -him to the Fo’castle, he asked, “Are you pleased -with it, little mother?”</p> - -<p>“It was all splendid; and, Billy, I never -dreamed it was in you! Sister’s operetta would -have been a failure if it hadn’t been for you.”</p> - -<p>“And Jean and Jimmy, too.”</p> - -<p>She stooped and kissed him.</p> - -<p>“That’s good enough for me, then,” he said, -sleepily. And no one ever heard him mention -again his unexpected addition to the scene.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER VII<br /> - -<small>THE FIGHT</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">IT was a gray, cold day, unusual for May, the -kind of day that accords with ill-nature. -It reminded Billy of the incident of the opera -when Rain and Storm, driven by his own insistence, -had blown in on the stage quite out -of season, and dragged off with them the remnants -of winter. For the first Sunday since -May Nell’s coming he took his wheel after dinner -and went off alone. He was in accord with -the sullen sky and air. In the morning he had -answered his mother angrily; because Bouncer -wished to play instead of coming through the -gate when called, Billy had slammed it on his -tail, knowing well that in a happier mood he -would have been more careful.</p> - -<p>Now he flew off down the county road at a -speed that made passers turn; but he saw no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -one. He neither slackened nor looked back till -he found himself at the river where the little -island rose, flower-crowned. The poppies were -fewer; and where a month before the flame-flower -had triumphed, to-day wild roses perfumed -the air.</p> - -<p>Billy halted and looked up into the threatening -sky. His eyes twitched, and he noticed -wonderingly that his breath was short and his -hand shook on the handle-bar. He dismounted -and propped his wheel against the fence; -climbed down to the river and sat on a projecting -rock, with his feet dangling near the water.</p> - -<p>There was a strange weight in his left side, -like lead. He felt as if the whole world was -against him; and the future looked dark and -terrible. Three days ago life had reached out, -a white shining road to success. Only three -days! He looked north to where clouds were -shutting down over the Mountain, gray to-day, -not blue. <i>The</i> Mountain, every one called it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -for it closed the valley and towered, a sentinel, -far above all other mountains in view. Billy -thought that stood for him; he was to be chained -to this narrow valley all his life; struggle as he -might he should never be free.</p> - -<p>If he had been older he would have said he had -“the blues.” Yet probably he would not have -known that his mental—and physical—condition -was a natural result of the long strain of -previous weeks. All the children felt it. That -morning the cousins, Clarence and Harry, who -loved each other dearly, had come to blows in -the Sunday School room before the teachers -arrived, over the question of which one of them -should marry Miss Edith. Clarence received -a bloody scratch the full length of his palm -from Harry’s Band of Mercy pin; while the -careful parting disappeared from his own hair, -and a red splotch marred the whiteness of his -wide collar. No one can tell what further -calamity might have happened had not the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -Twins opportunely arrived and questioned of the -quarrel.</p> - -<p>“You needn’t fight any more,” Vilette said, -loftily; “we shall marry her ourselves.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, we shall marry her ourselves,” Evelyn -echoed; while both girls made childish efforts -to rehabilitate the depressed cousins.</p> - -<p>The unstinted praise of the children in the -operetta, the aftermath of buzz about the -“show” at school,—this excitement lasted for a -day or so; but on this lowering Sunday tired -nature put in a claim for her own; and relaxed -nerves were irritably near the surface.</p> - -<p>Billy had the excitable musical temperament. -He spent his forces lavishly, and it was because -of this that he was a leader; could think and -act quickly in emergencies, as when he saved the -operetta from failure. Edith and her mother -knew that he had lived hard through the past -few weeks, that next to Edith herself he had -carried the entertainment, though Jean had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -been a host also. So it pleased Mrs. Bennett -that afternoon to see Billy start off alone for -the country.</p> - -<p>Now in the silence and fragrance his tightened -springs began to relax. Presently he found -himself in a dream of possibilities of the island,—Ellen’s -Isle, he always called it; of what might -be done with the smooth places in the river, -the hills, Sunol Creek not far away, boiling -and tumbling in boisterous beauty; of hidden -nooks, piled boulders, and tiny meadows, vine-enclosed -and flower-fragrant.</p> - -<p>Had he but dreamed on for an hour or so -he would have returned, rested, refreshed, -the cheery boy that helped to make the Bennett -house a home. But a voice in the road -above startled him. Only a word was spoken, -a greeting; but it was surly and foreign, -Italian.</p> - -<p>Billy sprang up. The dark man of the sinister -house was passing on his way to town; had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -answered a horseman’s salute. The boy could -not see the house; but on the high hill above -it he saw the other brother, regardless of the -Sabbath, hoeing his vineyard.</p> - -<p>Now was Billy’s chance! The place was -alone! He waited till each traveller was out -of view on the curving road, then climbed up, -crossed the dusty wheel tracks, and crept into -the brush on the other side. Once hidden -he “snooped” silently through the tangled -chaparral, coming shortly to the mystery-house, -so close to it that he could have looked -in at the windows had they been clean -enough.</p> - -<p>A faint sound caught his ear, as of clinking -coins and soft voices. People there! He had -thought it before, now he was certain. Were -not both brothers away?</p> - -<p>Billy cuddled down in the low-growing manzanitas, -whose screen was further thickened by -a tangle of wild pea vines all a-bloom. Placing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -himself so that he could watch both the house -and the man on the hill, he settled to await -further disclosures.</p> - -<p>All the excited nerves in his body that had -been resting were tingling again. He could feel -his temples throb, count the beats of his heart. -For a time nothing happened. He heard no -different sounds, though he strained his ears -nervously. The moments passed and seemed -hours. He crouched motionless, but his stillness -was not repose.</p> - -<p>What if they should find him? Gee! -Couldn’t a boy run faster than a man? Another -sound banished these thoughts; wheels -on the road, whose thick coat of dust almost -hushed the ring of metal tires. A horseman -before, and now a wagon; this was an unusual -amount of travel for that lonely road.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0118-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">A faint sound caught his ear</p> - -<p>Billy looked up at the Italian, saw him take a -pistol from his pocket, discharge it in the air, -replace it, and go calmly on with his work.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -What could that be for? A warning? Yes; -for he realized suddenly that every sound in the -house had ceased. The wagon passed from -sight. He could hear the voices of the men as -they drove by, see the driver pointing to the -house with his whip; and one of the women -on the rear seat looked back as long as the house -could be seen. Then the soft mysterious sounds -began again.</p> - -<p>Billy took no heed of time till he saw the man -above shoulder his hoe, pick up his wine jug, -and start down the hill. At that Billy’s heels -grew swift. He scurried out of his hiding place, -slipped rapidly through the brush, found his -wheel, and bowled off. No languor or heaviness -now in body or mind. Every atom of him was -alert as on the night of the opera, yet not so -normally alert; for the evil atmosphere of the -place was in his soul, filling his teeming brain -with imaginings of many crimes.</p> - -<p>In this mood he turned into the main road<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -and came upon Jackson limping, bloody, and -crying.</p> - -<p>“Jiminy crickets! What’s happened, kid?” -Billy asked, slowing up beside him.</p> - -<p>“Sour’s licked me ’cause I’m a n-nigger, -’n gave T-Twinnies some f-flowers an’ walked -with ’em. He’s back there now l-lickin’ the -T-Twins.”</p> - -<p>Billy didn’t wait. Like all generous natures -that are slow to anger, the passion once aroused -possessed him to madness. He raced down the -turnpike, his face aflame. Ahead he could -see the Dorrs’ horse and buggy standing near -the fence. Jimmy was on the ground beside the -Twins; and Billy saw the whip descend more -than once before he arrived. Had he known it -the blows were make-believe, for moral effect -alone. Jimmy was giving a lesson that his -Southern breeding made him think necessary, -if painful.</p> - -<p>Billy heard the pitiful cries of the children,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -Evelyn’s the loudest, though Vilette was receiving -the blows. Every drop of blood in -his veins was a spark of fire. An unsuspected -power came from somewhere, mysteriously. -He felt himself lift, expand, grow strong -enough to battle with an ox. He dropped -his wheel, sprang upon Jimmy from behind, -and bore him down. In an instant he had -snatched the whip, broken it, and tossed the -pieces into the field beyond. “You bully! -You skunk! To horsewhip girls! Why don’t -you take one of your own size?”</p> - -<p>Jimmy was taken by surprise. Billy was his -favorite play-mate, and the whip had disappeared -before he realized the import of the -attack, and he thus lost any advantage he might -have gained while Billy’s hands were busy. -But the words roused Jimmy’s anger. No boy -had a right to interfere between him and his -sisters; and he struggled to his feet and launched -some telling blows.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>Billy heeded no prize-ring rules, no boys’ -traditions of fair play. Every savage instinct -inherited from far-distant ancestors and sleeping -till to-day, rose, conquered the human in him, -for the moment made him brutish. And the -sobs of the little girls were as whips of fire.</p> - -<p>The struggle was short. When Jimmy resisted -no longer, but, after a fall against the -fence with his arm doubled under and back, -did not try to rise, Billy came to his senses. -He cleared the dust from his eyes a little and -turned to see why Jimmy didn’t speak. He -lay with closed eyes, motionless!</p> - -<p>A chill as from an ice field swept over Billy. -His heart seemed to fall down, down, as far -as his shoes. He noticed that things looked -darker, and his head felt light and queer. Another -fear assailed him; would he, too, collapse, -leave the little girls alone with the terror of two -senseless boys?</p> - -<p>He roused himself sharply; found his handkerchief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -and rubbed his eyes a little clearer; -bent swiftly over Jimmy, who stirred when -touched, and, to Billy’s intense relief, spoke.</p> - -<p>“I think you’ve broke my neck, kid,” he -said, feebly, as quaking Billy helped him to his -feet.</p> - -<p>“Jimmy, can you stand?”</p> - -<p>He winced with pain, reeled, and would have -fallen but for the other’s sustaining hand.</p> - -<p>“Here! Sit down on the bank.” Billy himself -was trembling so he felt it safer to see Jimmy -sitting. “I’ll get—Twinnies, run, run to -the tank and wet your handkerchief. Quick!”</p> - -<p>They were at the dripping roadside tank and -back in a trice. Gently where a moment before -he had been ferocious with anger, Billy wiped -his play-mate’s face, or rather, changed the mud -from one spot to another, got him to his feet -again, and finally into the buggy with the little -girls by his side.</p> - -<p>“Can you drive?” he asked, anxiously, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -unhitched the horse. He noticed with a second -sinking feeling that Jimmy’s face twitched with -pain, that his right arm hung limp.</p> - -<p>“If I can’t Vilette can. Old Bob goes by -himself, anyway.” He made a brave though -unsuccessful effort to appear as usual.</p> - -<p>“Are—are you hurt bad, Jimmy?” came in -a quaking voice.</p> - -<p>“No worse ’n you, I reckon,” was the rueful -response. Billy’s appearance justified Jimmy’s -speech; for freckles were standing out large -and ghastly from one or two very white spots -on the younger boy’s battered face. “Can -you get home alone?”</p> - -<p>“Yes—go on quick! Here come folks!”</p> - -<p>He watched the three drive away, the -brother holding the reins in his left hand; -the other he did not attempt to lift; and Billy’s -heart thumped faster as fear grew to a certainty. -He brushed himself weakly, turning -his back as a surrey-load of people passed.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>“Had a fall, Billy?” Every one knew the -boy.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Mr. Brown,” he answered, keeping his -face from sight.</p> - -<p>“Hurt?”</p> - -<p>“My clothes mostly,” he replied, hoping he -had told the truth, though a dreadful, big feeling -in his head, the humming in his ears, and -the pain in his eyes, made him guess he had -told a lie.</p> - -<p>The travellers passed on; he righted his wheel -and began his slow, painful way home. It was -still cloudy and the welcome darkness setting -in early, shrouded him as he slipped down the -least public streets and alleys to his own side -gate. He put his wheel away, fed his chickens,—though -they had gone to roost,—went to the -cellar and brought meat and milk for dog and -cats, and reconnoitred the way to the Fo’castle.</p> - -<p>Visitors! He saw them through the window.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -Every step was growing more painful,—he -must get to his room. The space from the -woodshed roof to the tower room, before so -easily surmounted by a swinging jump, looked -now as high and far as Mount Whitney. Back -to the window he turned. The firelight was -dancing on the walls. Sister Edith was talking -gayly to neighbors who were standing near the -door, and May Nell was snuggled beside his -mother on the couch, the great yellow cat, or a -part of him, sprawling on her small lap.</p> - -<p>How sweet and dear they all were! How -peaceful it looked in there,—too peaceful, -clean, for a dirty, fighting brute like himself. -What could he do? He shivered in the cold, -and the pain in his eyes increased. Would he -fall? Would they find him, have Doctor Carter, -learn the disgraceful truth? If the world had -looked dark that afternoon, it was now Egyptian -blackness.</p> - -<p>There was a stir in the room. His mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -stood—May Nell, too—and the cat stretched -lazily on the couch. Sister Edith followed the -guests to the porch, as did his mother and the -little girl—the room was empty! He opened -the kitchen door, tried to hasten noiselessly, -yet thought he clattered like a threshing machine. -Into the living-room he crept, and lumbered -softly up the stairs that seemed a mile -long.</p> - -<p>“It’s time Billy was at home,” he heard his -mother say as he opened her room door; and -he stumbled on more hurriedly, across the -bridge—at last, the Fo’castle!</p> - -<p>He threw himself on the bed and wept the -bitterest tears he had ever shed in his life, tears -of shame. There he lay—hours, he thought—determined -to bear his pain and disgrace alone. -Yet it was only minutes when he heard his -mother in her room, coming!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER VIII<br /> - -<small>ON STORMY SEAS</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">BILLY did not lift his face from the pillow; -he was striving to steady throat and voice.</p> - -<p>“Billy,” she called.</p> - -<p>“Don’t, mother! Mother, don’t come in -here! Don’t come in the same room with me,—I’m -not fit for— O mother, I’ve hurt -Jimmy for life!”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett caught the despair in his words, -and knew this could be no ordinary trouble to -be petted away with a few caresses. Some -crisis had come that must be wisely met. She -entered, knelt by the bed, and put her arms -around him. The spring starlight dimly outlined -his head on the pillow but gave no hint -of its bruises. “Billy, dear, nothing you can -ever do will be bad enough to keep your mother -away from you. What is it, my son?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>The gentle words, the tender touch, the comfort -and hope in her words, unlocked his lips -and he told what he had thought to keep forever -untold.</p> - -<p>He kept his hands from hers, and begged her -not to touch the handkerchief he had bound -around his head; but before his story was finished, -a growing stain on the pillow had oozed -into sight.</p> - -<p>“Billy! You said you weren’t hurt, but -you are!” Alarmed, she rose and switched on -the light, pulled off the bandage, and turned -faint at the wreck of the bright, clean boy -who had left her that afternoon. “My boy! -You’re dreadfully hurt! I must send for -Doctor Carter, and—”</p> - -<p>“No, no! Don’t, mother! I’ll run away! -I’ll—” He groaned and left his sentence -unfinished.</p> - -<p>“But you may have broken bones—be -seriously injured.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>She took a step, but he caught her hand. -“I don’t care if I am, he mustn’t see—no one -must,—I didn’t mean you should. Besides, -I walked home and brought my wheel; I’ll live, -I guess,—I’m too mean to kill.” He put his -stiff, swollen hand over his face. “It’s Jimmy -that’s in danger.” A new note of terror came -into his voice as he remembered the pale face -and limp arm; he had never seen a fighting boy -look so before. “I’m afraid Jimmy’s hurt inside, -mother. What if he should die?”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett knew better than Billy how -much thumping a boy could live through; and -reassured him while she took off his soiled garments, -and started below for hot water and -remedies.</p> - -<p>“Don’t tell—must Edith and May Nell -know?” he called after her. “Oh, all the town -will—mother!” The anguish in his words -halted her. “Mother, this wasn’t a boys’ -scrap at all. I didn’t think of you or—or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -anything; an’ something must have squelched -Betsey, she never peeped. Mother, I felt—I -felt mad enough to kill him!” He whispered -the awesome words.</p> - -<p>“But you don’t feel so now, my son. Jimmy -will soon be well; you, too. Then you can talk -with him about it. Rest, now; that is your -first duty,” she comforted, and left him.</p> - -<p>Hot water, lotions, a mother’s tender hands, -best of all, a mother’s comprehending heart,—it -is wonderful what cures these can make. In -an hour Billy was comparatively at ease. His -sore body still ached, and his eyes “felt like -red fire on the Fourth,” he said; but the world -seemed less dark, and he was glad his mother -had not taken him at his word and left him to -bear his trouble alone.</p> - -<p>Yet he could not long keep his mind from the -struggle. “Mother, won’t you find out soon -about Jimmy, how bad he’s hurt? An’ I wish -I knew if Vilette ’n Evelyn ’re all right; it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -looked awful to see ’em hit with a horsewhip.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll get word from them in the morning. -Don’t worry any more, but rest; sleep if you -can. You can’t help them till you have helped -yourself.”</p> - -<p>Still, since Billy had broken his resolution of -silence, he was feverishly eager to talk. His -thoughts were erratic, now in the present, again -flying back to the past. “O mother, you -should be lickin’ me ’nstead of petting me!” -he broke out passionately.</p> - -<p>“Why, Billy? I don’t believe in whipping -unless all else fails.”</p> - -<p>“Well, papa did. If he was alive he’d be -giving it to me about now, good and plenty.”</p> - -<p>“Why do you think he would have whipped -you?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you remember the first day I went -to school, he took me between his knees,—I -was a little kid then,—and said, ‘Billy, if I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -know that you ever jump on a boy first to fight -him, I’ll lick you. And if another boy jumps -on you first, and you don’t fight back, no matter -how big he is, I’ll lick you then.’”</p> - -<p>“I guess he didn’t say ‘lick,’ Billy.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he did. And he said, awfully solemn, -‘Remember, Billy, no one but a coward strikes -his foe in the back. A boy of mine who could -do that,—I don’t think I should wish him to -wear this.’ And he pointed to his Loyal Legion -button. O mother, I hit Jimmy first, I hit -him in the back, and I—I kicked him in the -stomach! I’ve disgraced papa’s button forever!” -His last words were a groan, and he -hid his face.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett leaned over him without speaking -for a minute, but stroked his hair softly. -“Remember, with One there is no ‘forever.’ -As long as we live we have a chance to retrieve. -Rest on that, my child. Now you must sleep.” -She kissed him and was silent, for a drop glistened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -on his cheek she knew he would not wish -her to notice.</p> - -<p>She thought he should be in a warmer room, -but he begged so hard to stay that she yielded. -She put a bell near, that he might call her, and -went to him several times before she slept, finding -him somewhat restless, yet too profoundly -asleep to be wakened by her light touch. Outraged -nature was in charge now.</p> - -<p>It must have been hours past midnight when -Billy’s chattering voice startled his mother. -She had heard no bell; the boy himself stood -by her bedside; she could see him dimly against -the window.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know what’s the matter,—I’m -drowned, I guess.” His teeth rattled, and the -hand he put out to her was icy cold.</p> - -<p>“Billy! You’re freezing!” She sprang up -and turned on the light.</p> - -<p>He was a queer figure with his bandaged -head, one eye peering out, and a long, dripping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -red quilt trailing behind him. “I found the -bed flooded, and put the comfort round me; but -someway that’s wet, too.” He could hardly -speak for shivering.</p> - -<p>She clapped him into her own warm bed, and -incredibly soon things were sizzling over the -alcohol lamp.</p> - -<p>“The tank must have run over, Billy. You -forgot to shut it off.”</p> - -<p>“No, I didn’t forget; the water was low, -and I left it running on purpose. But it’s -that west wind; she’s a hummer. She can -pump faster ’n the old waste pipe can discharge.”</p> - -<p>Friction and mustard, hot water bags without -and hot tea within soon set Billy’s teeth -at rest.</p> - -<p>“How in the world did you ever sleep through -it, Billy?” his mother asked, coming in from -the tank-room where she had been to investigate. -“There is a small flood there. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -should think the first drop would have wakened -you.”</p> - -<p>“It came to me feet foremost, I guess, and -soaked the quilt in instalments. I had a -tough dream, too; couldn’t wake up in the -middle. I dreamed I was on a ship in a bang-up -storm, and the vessel lunged like a bucking -horse.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I can see that the wind, the shaking -tower, the creaking mill, would bring such -dreams,” his mother said. “Hear the wind -howl now!”</p> - -<p>“And I thought all the crew were washed -overboard like chips,” he went on; “and I was -left alone. And she shipped water in mountains. -And I was cold as the North Pole. And -at last she foundered, and I went down with -her. And when I couldn’t choke any more -I woke up.”</p> - -<p>“Poor little Billy! You’ve had a hard night -of it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>“Kinder rocky.”</p> - -<p>He smiled wanly, and her heart ached for -him; but she knew sympathy was unsafe just -then. “If you could see that comical, crooked -eye of yours blinking at me, like a chicken asking -your intentions, you’d laugh, Billy.”</p> - -<p>He did laugh, yet was sober again. She was -tucking the clothes close about him, preparing -to lie down by his side. But he reached his -arms out suddenly and flung them around her -neck. “O mamma, the awfullest thing in the -world next to doing a crime, must be not to -have a mother. I must jolly May Nell more. -And, mamma—mother, I don’t know why,—” -his voice was very low and shy, “why God’s -looked out for me so good; but anyway, -you’re—you’re the whole bunch!”</p> - -<p>She pressed him closer and kissed him. And -soon he slept.</p> - -<p>But his mother watched out the night.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - -<small>RED GOOSE FLESH</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THE next morning Billy had a “temperature.” -His mother decided against school -for that day. At first he was glad. He didn’t -care if he had forty temperatures. He thought -almost anything in the way of fever was cooler -than he would feel if the boys—and the girls—should -see his face. Not that this was the first -time he had been scratched in a fight; before -he had not cared who knew. To-day it was -different,—there were things about this fight -he wished he could forget, even though he knew -Jimmy was not likely to die.</p> - -<p>But a second idea came that made him fidget -about the room, lift his bandage and watch -the children on their way to school. His record -for attendance for the year had so far been perfect. -He knew that he owed it partly to his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -mother’s tireless watch of the clock, and wondered -why he had not realized this before. -Now it was to be broken; she would be as sorry -as he could be; and it would have counted well -toward the prize. He tried to calculate how -many days he could be absent and still have -left some chance of it. The work was all reviewing, -he almost knew it, anyway. If he -only had his books,—but no, they wouldn’t -let him use his eyes.</p> - -<p>A gentle rap halted his reflections, a sweet -voice asked to come in; and in a moment there -was a rose-leaf touch on his cheek.</p> - -<p>“Your mamma said I was to ask no questions, -and I shall obey; but I do wish I knew how I -could help you.” She touched the bandage -that bound his head. “Does it hurt you -awfully much, Billy? I’m so sorry. My eyes -ache me, too, for looking at you.”</p> - -<p>He was pleased with her sympathy; but -being a boy, he didn’t like to show it. “I’ll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -tell you,” he said, eagerly, and without further -acknowledgment of her kindness, “ask Mr. -Brown to give you my books. Perhaps to-night -I can see to study.”</p> - -<p>But not that night nor for days after did -Billy look at his books. The second morning -the fever was still present, and he told -his mother he was “all over red goose -flesh.”</p> - -<p>“Measles,” Mrs. Bennett pronounced; and -though it was a light case, and in a day or so -Billy felt as well as ever except his eyes, they -were sentenced to a dark room.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0140-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">May Nell plays teacher</p> - -<p>May Nell had been “through the measles,” -yet she shared the quarantine. Billy resented -this at first. It was “no fair.” Afterward -he was grateful; for aside from the cheer of her -presence she did him a fine service. It was -her clever brain that proposed to read his lessons -aloud to him; and though he didn’t think -much of it at first, he soon saw that this would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -make a chance for the prize which in his heart -he had resigned.</p> - - - -<p>She made a quaint picture curled in a big -chair under the window, where a lifted corner of -the curtain gave light to the book, but left the -rest of the room dark. It pleased her to play -teacher. She asked Billy numberless questions, -coaxed him to explain what she did not understand. -And he soon learned that one must know -a thing very well before he can tell it. He dictated -some of the written work, and she transcribed -it in her prim little script.</p> - -<p>Yet Billy despaired when he thought of the -mathematics; Jimmy— With the thought of -Jimmy the hot blood rose to Billy’s cheek, and -he was glad the room was dark. It was Jimmy’s -right arm that was broken.</p> - -<p>But May Nell’s ambition was boundless. -“We can do mathematics work, too. I can -multiply, and divide, and other things beside, -I can do; I’ll just be your paper and pencil.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>Billy was skeptical, yet soon convinced, as -the little girl slowly and carefully read the problems, -followed his directions, and obtained correct -results. A few problems were too complicated; -these the boy had her mark for attack -with recovered sight.</p> - -<p>Yet only a part of the long day went to study. -They spent delightful hours rehearsing the -stories of favorite books, and otherwise amused -themselves by improvising tales of marvellous -adventure. The school children sent notes, -the latest school jokes, and original pictures, -interesting if sometimes not quite clear as to -meaning. Clarence indited his first letter. -Here it is:</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0142-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p>The best of all was a letter from Jimmy, -scrawled with his left hand.</p> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>“<span class="smcap">Dear Billy</span>,” it read; “Shifty seen the fight. -He says it was something fierce. He says you -looked like a mad bull. He was hiding behind -the fence. He says he bet on me; but he was -glad he didn’t bet with nobody, because you -whipped. Shifty’s doing some of my written -work—I’m telling him how, of course. And -I’m studying right smart. Say, Bill, I don’t -lay no grudge. My arm’s getting on fine.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="indentright">“Yours truly,</span><br /> -“<span class="smcap">Jimmy</span>.”</p> - -<p>Billy read the note several times. He knew -that Jimmy meant much more than the words -said; it was his offer of the “olive branch.” -And Billy, thinking over that miserable afternoon, -wondered again how it had been possible -for him to feel such murderous hate for anything -living. And for Jimmy! His mate at school, -in play! The picture came to him of Jackson -crying, of Vilette,—yes, it was not strange he -had been angry. But it was not his duty to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -punish; even if it had been, he knew he had -forgotten Jackson and Vilette, forgotten everything -except the rage of the fight. Why was -it? Older heads than Billy’s have asked in -sorrow that same question after the madness -of some angry deed has passed to leave in its -wake sleepless remorse.</p> - -<p>The best amusement of the hours of imprisonment -was planning for the performance -of “The Lady of the Lake.” Nothing definite, -except that it was to be out of doors, -had unfolded till now, when irksome leisure -and May Nell’s quick mind together bore -fruit.</p> - -<p>“We can play the first canto, ‘The Chase,’ -across the river in the Sunol Creek canyon,” -Billy explained, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“But there aren’t any deer,” the little girl -objected. “What will you do for</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first2">‘The antlered monarch of the waste</div> -<div class="verse">Sprang from his heathery couch in haste’?”</div> -</div></div> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>“There ’re deer up there, all right; but -of course we can’t get ’em. We’ll have to -catch a jack rabbit beforehand and let him -loose.”</p> - -<p>“O Billy, the poor rabbit will surely be -caught; and you know the stag hid in ‘Trosach’s -wildest nook.’”</p> - -<p>“Oh, the kids’—boys’ dogs are mostly old -or else too fat to run, like Bouncer. I guess the -rabbit can get away,—too soon, perhaps. We’ll -have you for Fair Ellen.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; she must be Jean.”</p> - -<p>“She won’t do it; she said so before. She -wants to be Alan-bane.”</p> - -<p>“But she’s a girl.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the reason. She says a boy will -spoil the part; won’t get the shivers like she -will. She thinks a minstrel can’t—can’t minstrelize -properly without the shivers.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s true,” May Nell replied, with -conviction. “And Queen will be Lady Margaret;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -and you are Malcolm Graeme; and who -is Fitz-James?”</p> - -<p>“Pretty; and Charley will be Douglas, and—”</p> - -<p>“And Jimmy is already Roderick Dhu.”</p> - -<p>“But Roderick Dhu died from fighting Fitz-James; -I hate to give Jimmy a dying part.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, my conscience! That isn’t any matter. -All the grandest actors have the dying parts; -and they die gloriously; and the audience claps -and claps and claps; and the curtain goes -up, and they all come out alive again and bow -and smile; and you eat some candy and don’t -cry any more.”</p> - -<p>“That’s bul—dandy.”</p> - -<p>“But I don’t like them to do that, Billy. -They ought to stay dead till the play is done. -When I see them smiling I feel as if—just -as I would if you made fun of me when I cried -for my mama,—it takes all the true out of the -play.”</p> - -<p>“As soon as I get out of this,” Billy went on,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -after a short silence, “I’ll go over and fix up -Ellen’s Isle for you and Lady Margaret. We -can have</p> - -<p class="center">‘—a lodge of ample size,’</p> - -<p>with</p> - -<p class="center">‘The lighter pine trees overhead,’</p> - -<p>but not the strong log house where——” He -hesitated, and May Nell quoted on glibly,</p> - -<p class="center">“‘The sturdy oak and ash unite’;</p> - -<p>but I can</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="indent9">‘twine,</div> -<div class="verse">The ivy and the Idean vine.’</div> -</div></div> - -<p>If I only had an Idean vine; what is it, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“You can search me.” Billy was about to -remark further, when a commotion arose among -the school children just passing on their way -home.</p> - -<p>May Nell needed no second request to “catch -the racket and bring it in.” She flew downstairs, -and presently up again, arriving with a -breathless story. “O Billy, the circus train’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -wrecked! There won’t be any circus next week! -Some of the animals are all dead, and the fire -burned some— Oh, I can hear them scream -now, can’t you?” She put her hands over her -face and shivered.</p> - -<p>“Don’t feel so bad, Chick,” he comforted; -“it won’t bring them to life, and it hurts you. -That’s why you don’t grow faster; your feelings -eats up all your blood.”</p> - -<p>She smiled faintly. “Then my feelings must -be bloodthirsty, Billy. How dreadful!”</p> - -<p>“Did the little kids take it hard?”</p> - -<p>“Awfully hard, Billy. Some of them had -‘grief swimming in their eyes.’”</p> - -<p>“Poor little chaps! They’ve been talking -circus for a month.”</p> - -<p>“Billy! I’ll tell you what let’s do; we’ll -make a circus ourselves!”</p> - -<p>“Heavens to Betsey! We’ll do it!”</p> - -<p>The “Lady of the Lake” was that moment -deserted.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER X<br /> - -<small>SIR THOMAS KATZENSTEIN</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">“BILLY, Flash is the cleverest cat ever!” -May Nell exclaimed as she bounded in -some days later.</p> - -<p>The quarantine had been raised, and at night -Billy had “the run of the house”; though his -days were still spent in “the prison cell” as he -called the dark room. It seemed to him that -light came in with the little girl, and all the -sparkle and fragrance of the young summer -without.</p> - -<p>“What new trick has Flash been up to?”</p> - -<p>“You know that bad, old, half-tailed Tom -that whips every cat in town but Geewhillikins -and Flash and Sir Thomas—”</p> - -<p>“Yes; he’d lick him too, if Flash wasn’t -Tom’s body-guard.”</p> - -<p>“Well, just listen! This morning your mama<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -set out the meat for their breakfast. I had -Geewhillikins and Jerusalem Crickets in the -pound—the woodshed, you know. Oh, they -had a big breakfast before,” she added quickly, -feeling rather than seeing Billy’s disapproval.</p> - -<p>“I forgive you,” he condoned.</p> - -<p>“In a minute I heard the teentiest little mew. -I looked and there was Tom crouched against -the side of the house. He was shivering with -fright, and that old tramp cat was eating up his -breakfast.”</p> - -<p>“The darned old robber!” Billy started -up and walked restlessly toward the door.</p> - -<p>“I took a stick of kindling from the kitchen -and crept out to chase the thief away; but just -then Flash trotted around the corner of the -house. He’s been on the front lawn all the -morning watching for gophers; wouldn’t come -when we called him.”</p> - -<p>“That’s Flash; he always works for his -breakfast,” Billy pompously approved.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>“He ran up and touched noses with Tom -like a Feegee Islander,—are they the people -that touch noses for ‘How do you do?’”</p> - -<p>“I guess so. What else?”</p> - -<p>“And Flash mewed just once, very softly. -He couldn’t see the tramp cat, for the big oak -tree hid him. But the second Tom answered -his mew, Flash flew like a lightning streak, -around the tree and up to that old, stealing -feline cat. And he ran— O Billy, you’d -have laughed an ache in your side if you could -have seen him run,—over the fence, he ran -again, across the street, down the sidewalk,—he -never stopped till he came to the tip top of -Mr. Potter’s big locust tree.”</p> - -<p>“By heck! Flash is all right.”</p> - -<p>“Then he walked back as slowly and dignifiedly -as a minister,—isn’t ‘dignifiedly’ an -awkward word? I wonder if it is right?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind grammar, or spelling, whichever -it is; what did Flash do?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>“He went up to Tom—he was still crouching -against the house—”</p> - -<p>“Like the lazy coward he is,” Billy tartly -interrupted.</p> - -<p>“O Billy, he’s so beautiful and so clever; -and he put his nose up to Flash <i>so</i> gratefully. -Flash just mewed again, low as before, and -walked off round the house. And Tom went -and ate his breakfast.”</p> - -<p>“Well, old Tom’ll have to be cleverer than -I ever saw him to pay for that.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t like Sir Thomas because he’s -a little indolent.”</p> - -<p>“It’s plain lazy. He won’t even wash -himself.”</p> - -<p>“Yet he has more mind than Flash.”</p> - -<p>“Mind? What do you mean by that? Anyway, -you can’t prove it.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I can, right now!” The little girl, -full of enthusiasm for her beloved yellow cat, -went over and laid her hand impressively on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -Billy’s arm. “You know the dining-room window -screen hung from the top, that has the -broken catch on one side?”</p> - -<p>“Uh huh.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Tom jumps up from the outside, hangs -on the sill with one forefoot, and pulls out the -edge of the screen with the other till he gets -his nose in, when he can pry out the screen and -slip through easily.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, he can do that; I’ve seen him myself.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Flash can’t do that.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve watched, and called to him from the -inside; but he only stands and mews. Did -you ever see him climb up and open the screen?”</p> - -<p>Billy could not remember that he had.</p> - -<p>“But, Billy, Tom opens it for him! He -climbs up, gets his nose in, and the largest part -of himself; then he crowds along as hard as he -can, and calls to Flash, ‘The way is clear; -come’;—you needn’t laugh; he says it just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -as plain as words,” she protested. “And Flash -springs up, creeps through, and jumps to the -floor, with Tom after him; and the screen slaps -to with a big noise. I’ve seen them do it three -times this week. Isn’t that a wonder?”</p> - -<p>“Sure!” Billy assented, heartily. “I take it -back about old Sir Thomas; I guess they’re -equal partners, after all.”</p> - -<p>“They’re a regular Damon and Pythias, -aren’t they? And we’ll have Flash for the -Polar Bear, in the circus, and Tom for the -Royal Bengal Tiger, the baby tiger, you know.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; and we’ll have to train the dogs,— Whoopee! -Only four weeks of school. We’ll -have to hurry if we do the circus and “Lady -of the Lake” both before vacation.”</p> - -<p>“Before vacation? Why, they’ll be just -the things to do <i>in</i> vacation.”</p> - -<p>“They’ll have to be done before vacation or -not at all,” he answered, so seriously that May<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -Nell wondered a little; wondered still more as -the moments passed and the dark room grew -very quiet. She did not know what purpose -was growing in Billy’s mind, a purpose that -largely concerned herself.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - -<small>GOOD-NIGHT IN THE FO’CASTLE</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THE silence was broken a little later by -merry voices on the stairway. For several -nights the girls had been gathering in May Nell’s -room. Billy knew “things were doing” there -by the sounds; the tap, tap of the tack hammer, -added to much chatter and rustling. Now May -Nell caught him by the hand and pulled him -across the hall. A strange pungent fragrance -like burning spice, yet not familiar, met them at -the door. And inside, the dark hangings full of -lurking shadows gave the room a foreign air.</p> - -<p>The Queen of Sheba in gypsy dress, and her -harum-scarum train buzzing with gossip and -exclamation, flocked in. Bess looked magnificent -in a mass of draperies that included -every Oriental thing to be found in several -families.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>“Jiminy whiz! Your royal splendor dazzles -me!” Billy chaffed.</p> - -<p>“I’m the Royal Egyptian Fortune Teller!” -Bess announced, in a deep voice. “This is my -desert tent. I shall reveal the past, present, -and future to those only whom my favor shall -designate. Slaves, the lamps!”</p> - -<p>Clarence and Harry, much wrapped in white -about the head, but with bare little white arms -and bare little brown legs, came in solemnly -and placed some red lanterns on the table. -Bess posed in a chair decorated for the occasion, -arranged her draperies, pulled nearer the -“incense lamp,” which was her father’s Turkish -cigar lighter, laid out her cards, and bent -over them in grave silence.</p> - -<p>Her absorption hypnotized the others to -wondering stillness. In a moment her attitude -and intensity had transported them to the mysterious -East, and put upon them the spell of -ancient superstitions.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>At last she looked up and pointed a startling -finger at May Nell. “Mary Ellen Smith, my -familiars, who guard the portals of futurity, -declare that you shall be the first honored. -Minions, depart! Slaves, guard the door!”</p> - -<p>Jean and the twins, Charley, George and some -others, rattled down the stairs; while Clarence -and Harry stood rigid, with wooden scymitars -drawn, one on each side of the door.</p> - -<p>Billy hesitated a minute. The dim room, -the wicked-looking red lights, Bess so stern -and mysterious,—this might frighten the little -girl. He ought to wait.</p> - -<p>“Avaunt, hesitating noddy! The angel child -is quite safe!” Bess waved an arm, partly -bare and brown in spots.</p> - -<p>“Yes, go away, Billy; I’m not afraid.” -May Nell laughed happily. Her quick mind -was delighted with the masquerading.</p> - -<p>Yet it was a very quiet little child that -crept down to the others a few minutes later;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -when asked of her fortune she burst into -tears.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett came in and tried to learn the -trouble; but it was some time before May Nell -could be induced to tell.</p> - -<p>“She said, the Queen of Sheba did, that I’d -be in danger, and some one would save me. -And I’d have a s’prise, and a hus—husband, -and fi-five c-chil— children!” She wailed -again and hid her face on Mrs. Bennett’s -shoulder.</p> - -<p>“Golly! There’s nothing skewgee about that -fortune,” Billy commented, encouragingly.</p> - -<p>“Oh, yes; yes, there is, Billy.” May Nell -lifted a teary face. “Five children! If it had -been two, or perhaps I could possibly bring up -three; but f-five, o-o-oh!” she wailed again, -heedless of the laughter around her.</p> - -<p>Several others were summoned and returned -with remarkable reports. At last two high-pitched -little voices called in concert down the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -stair: “The Royal Seeress will rend the veil of -futurity for William Bennett.”</p> - -<p>“That’s you, papa,” Clarence piped, as an -anxious post warning.</p> - -<p>Artful Bess! Billy had treated it all as a -huge joke; but now May Nell’s depression, the -unfamiliar sound of his right name, the dim -room with its shadows and half-suffocating -odors,—all conspired to send a sober Billy into -the circle of lurid light that came from the -two lamps gleaming on either side of dark Bess -like angry eyes.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later the entire Egyptian -fortune-telling outfit came down stairs at -Billy’s heels. The hubbub was a riot of fun, -and no one noticed that Billy said nothing about -the revelations of destiny made to him; though -later Jean recalled that in the zig-zag journey -around the park that was Billy’s evening exercise, -he spoke very little to the chatterers with -him, even forgot to “jolly.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>That night when Mrs. Bennett went into the -Fo’castle there was an unusual note in Billy’s -voice.</p> - -<p>“Stop and chin with me just a little, won’t -you, marmsey?”</p> - -<p>“And what’s the ‘chinning’ to be about?” -she questioned, sitting on the bedside; “the -fortune?”</p> - -<p>Billy looked at her wonderingly for an instant. -“You guess everything that troubles -a fellow, don’t you? How do you do it?” He -sighed deeply.</p> - -<p>“Was it as bad as that?” She smiled, and -smoothed back the thick, tumbled hair.</p> - -<p>“Worse! She said soon I’d have to be very -brave—that ain’t bad—but I’m goin’ to be—to -be a minister—a preacher!” The last -word came with a woe-begone vehemence that -made his mother laugh.</p> - -<p>“Why do you think that’s so dreadful?”</p> - -<p>“O mother,” he began, excitedly, and stopped.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -Only lately had he called her “mother” in his -serious moments, and the name gave her pain -as well as pleasure, for it was one more announcement -of the coming man.</p> - -<p>“Mother,” he resumed, “I know I must -freeze to some sort of business, and that mighty -soon, too. But a preacher—why, he can’t be -like anybody. He never has any fun.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think fun the first business of the -world?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no,” he sighed; “I suppose duty is the -first business; but duty is such a narrow, -knock-you-down little word.” His voice was -tense and hard.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett continued her gentle, even -strokes; bent and kissed him softly before -replying. “Duty looks narrow only when it -opposes inclination, my child. Selfish people -hate duty; but those who live the longest and -best lives could tell you that every victory duty -wins brings an ever-increasing joy.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>“O mother, how can there be joy if life is -all work and never any fun?” He took her -hand and pressed it against his cheek.</p> - -<p>“There’s a little secret about work; with -grown-ups it is often their play; and they like -it.”</p> - -<p>“Do you <i>like</i> to work?” His tone was insistent; -and he lifted his head and looked hard -at her, as if to challenge the tiniest bit of insincerity -that might be lurking back of the -words. “<i>Like</i> to work?” he repeated with -added emphasis.</p> - -<p>“Billy, I don’t think you could possibly have -been happier on your birthday than I was; yet -I was so tired that night that I could not sleep. -The work of that day was play to me.”</p> - -<p>Billy threw both arms around her and hugged -her.</p> - -<p>“And there are many times when the duty -itself is disagreeable, yet doing it brings a finer -joy than shirking it ever could bring.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>“Then I’ll be a—a preacher if I ought to. -But gee! it’s rocky!”</p> - -<p>“O Billy,” his mother laughed, “you need -not decide to-night. Besides, it was all Bess’s -nonsense. I can’t quite imagine my heedless -boy in a pulpit.”</p> - -<p>Billy thought he detected a touch of resigned -disappointment in her words, and looked up -with a sudden wonder widening his eyes, making -them shine even in the dim light of the -shaded lamp. “Do you want me to preach, -mamma?”</p> - -<p>“Not unless you wish to so much that you -will not do anything else, Billy. The world -needs preachers of the right kind sadly; and -the right kind take up the calling reverently, -though they know it will bring them small -worldly return and much toil.”</p> - -<p>The boy was very still for a little, but burst -out presently: “I’m going to work, mother; -as soon as school closes I’ll start.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>He felt his mother start. “You’re too young -for hard work, Billy; you do enough as it is.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, when you and sister turn gray getting -it out of me. No, I’m going to do real work -that will earn money; and I’m going to take -this never-get-enough grub-basket of mine to -a table where my own hands have earned the -grub.”</p> - -<p>“Billy! My—boy!” Mrs. Bennett bent -over him; and he felt a tear where her cheek -touched his.</p> - -<p>“Feel that muscle,” he said a moment later; -bending his arm, and pressing her fingers to it. -“That’s got to grow by a broom or hoe, something -besides football!”</p> - -<p>His words had a new ring, and his mother -was wise enough to respect the young independence -in them. “What brought you to -this decision, Billy?”</p> - -<p>“You remember that story about a man who -died for love of a girl because he knew he ought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> -not to marry her? I thought that sort kind -of noble, but you said there was nobler. Do -you remember?”</p> - -<p>“No; I can’t recall what I said.”</p> - -<p>“You said, ‘Death is easy. It is much braver -to live without the love one craves, to do one’s -duty each day, and smile as the world goes by. -That’s the finest love I know,’ you said.”</p> - -<p>“Well?” she questioned.</p> - -<p>“I couldn’t understand it then. Now I do. -My own sister is that bravest of lovers.” His -words rang with pride as well as love.</p> - -<p>“Why, Billy, what has happened to make you -think so?”</p> - -<p>“Last night I heard something on the Q. T. -I didn’t mean to, but I’m glad I did. I was -in the pantry chuckin’ some bread an’ butter -under my solar plexus when I heard Mr. Wright -tell sister in the sitting-room—I guess some -door was open a crack—that his law business -was growing a little. I didn’t hear the next<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -words, but there was ‘please’ in italics in his -voice. But sister said, an’ I heard her plain -enough, ‘No, Hal, not till I’ve saved enough -to take Billy through school.’ ‘I’ll help—’ -Mr. Wright got as far as that when this guy -waked up,—knew he’d snuck information not -intended for him. So I made a noise; I -scatted the cat—no cat there—slammed the -door, and kicked up a racket generally so’s -they’d know I was there.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett smiled. She thought they could -have had no trouble in locating Billy.</p> - -<p>“Then I went in an’ spoke to ’em ’s though -I hadn’t heard a word, and hustled off to bed. -I thought ’most all night, and decided that sister -shan’t wait a day longer for me to grow up. -I’m going to hustle for myself, so she can get -married.”</p> - -<p>“Billy, my little, little boy!” She lifted the -tousled head and pressed her cheek close -against his.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>“I’m going to work as soon ’s school’s out; -it’s for you and May Nell, too, you know.”</p> - -<p>“But your school, my child! You must be -educated; you—”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes, marmsey; but there’s night shops -where a fellow can gobble education by the -hunk, you know, and—” He paused. Even -his own mother didn’t know the pang in his -heart when he thought of Jean and Jimmy, and -the others, going on together through the high -school, perhaps the university.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett rose and tucked him in snugly. -“Let us drop it till school closes, Billy. Then -we’ll talk it over.”</p> - -<p>“All but finding the job, mother. Jobs -don’t hunt boys; and mine’s going to be waiting -for me when the school house door shuts: -that is, if I can persuade any man in the town -or county that he needs a boy my size.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett bade him good-night, and left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -him to the stars and the quiet night. Her heart -was still sore for the little boy of the past, yet -a strange joy came to her; the thoughtful, -observant, earnest man had heralded his coming. -She should be very proud of him.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - -<small>THE CIRCUS</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THE day was fine. Billy, not long released -from his green shade, wondered if the -world was ever so lovely before; the flowers so -sweet, the birds so joyous. Could it be only -a few short weeks since that gray Sunday? -Billy’s confinement had quickened him, introduced -him to himself; now he looked on life -with wider eyes, with a more understanding -heart.</p> - -<p>He was out early wheeling from house to -house, where various parts of the “show” were -receiving last touches. One by one he gathered -each “attraction,” and herded them all to -Jimmy’s big barn, where the procession was to -form. Some were late, Bess for one; but Billy -was not anxious about her.</p> - -<p>It had been hard to persuade her, though her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -heart was aching to join the fun. “Huh! -Do you suppose I’d be a common snake-charmer?”</p> - -<p>“Common?” Billy retorted, “they can’t be -common. They have to have power more’n -anybody. And snake charmers ’most always -are Egyptian Princesses, or royalty of some -kind,” he added hastily, lest exact Bess should -call on him for a genealogy of his princesses.</p> - -<p>The magic name won the day. Bess was -ever dreaming of the land of mystery, whose -pictured daughters of old she resembled; and -the chance to masquerade in its atmosphere -lured her.</p> - -<p>Max was the first to be quite ready with his -exhibit. It was a queer creature that one gradually -discovered to be some sort of a bird; -though such a one had never before been seen -on land or sea. Max had arrayed his mother’s -big white gander for the occasion. A turkey-tail -fan made a huge breastplate, if one can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -imagine a breastplate of feathers. All the long-tailed -roosters that had been killed in town for -months, one would guess, had contributed to the -coat of sprawling feathers that was tied over -the body of the bird. And no one knew by what -magic the boy had coaxed some one to lend him -the magnificent peacock plumes that rose high -above the little wiggling goose tail.</p> - -<p>In a cage of wire netting bearing the legend, -“The Roc—The Egg,” the uncomfortable -gander swayed and craned his neck; and all -but his voice was satisfactory. In the bottom -of the cage a whitewashed stone the size of a -small pumpkin did duty as the egg.</p> - -<p>A three-legged rooster appeared. And Sir -Thomas Katzenstein, according to schedule, -roamed his box in great agitation, though in -fine form, impressively carrying out the label -on his cage, “Baby Royal Bengal Tiger.”</p> - -<p>Lying in silent disdain on his familiar cushion, -Flash, as the “Polar Bear,” did equally well;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -while Bouncer fretted between the fills of the -home-made, bunting-draped chariot that served -as “The Polar Bear’s Snowy Lair of the North.”</p> - -<p>There was a half-grown calf with an artificial -hump for the “Water Buffalo”; and Harry and -Clarence were cunningly strapped together for -the Siamese Twins.</p> - -<p>“But they are dead,” Jimmy protested.</p> - -<p>“But couldn’t another pair have been born -in Siam?” May Nell questioned; and as no -one felt sufficiently informed to deny it, Harry -and Clarence continued their strained relations.</p> - -<p>The Prettymans’ white cow was ingeniously -shaped and caparisoned to represent “India’s -Sacred White Elephant”; and Jackson was the -Hindoo leader. This exhibit caused much controversy. -The attendant should ride on the -neck of the elephant, all agreed to that; but -the cow objected; so they compromised by -having Jackson walk. The matter of costume -for Jackson was not so easily settled, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -differing pictures of sacred elephants presented -a variation in the attendants’ garb. May Nell,—who -was to be the “Fair Princess of Bombay,”—as -soon as she could get a hearing, -ended the dispute amicably by suggesting that -Jackson be allowed his choice in the matter of -dress, an alternative that permitted each disputant -to withdraw from the argument with -honor.</p> - -<p>Jimmy had the trick ponies and the trained -dogs. Teaching them was the chief joy of his -life. What if there were only two ponies, and -their spots were painted on? And what if the -children had seen all the tricks over and over -again? They were good as new each time. -Besides, the ponies’ one brand-new trick, when -at the crack of a whip they stood on their hind -feet in unison, was so effective that it frightened -May Nell. She saw it first in the barn; and -when their shod hoofs came down she thought -they would crash right through the floor.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>Jean was the Goddess of Liberty; Shifty -and another larger boy the steeds that pulled -her car. But boys and box wagon were so -smothered in bunting that only the Goddess -was conspicuous, standing, well-balanced, stately, -and fair.</p> - -<p>One tall, ambitious girl contributed a unique -float called, “Lot’s Wife Looking Backward.” -She had not been certain of the color for the -desert, consequently had made the whole thing, -including the wagon, the boys, and herself snowy -white. She had copied an old Bible picture, -carrying out the idea with sheets, and such -liberal doses of flour, that only a heavy dew was -needed to turn the float to dough instead of -salt. However, the sun shone, and the addition -of diamond dust over all made a very realistic -picture that Billy praised heartily.</p> - -<p>Guinea pigs, pigeons, and other and larger -live stock, normal or otherwise, masqueraded -as marvellous creatures from foreign lands.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>Bess arrived at last. A gorgeous affair was -her chariot, the foundation being Mr. Prettyman’s -spring wagon. Bess, with some borrowings, -Charley’s help, and her own quick -invention, had made a very good imitation of -a circus wagon. Charley, the Strong Man, held -the reins over old Dom Pedro, the horse she -loved, that had once been a racer. She had discovered -some very real looking, jointed snakes -that wriggled and curved in a manner startlingly -serpentine; while tremendous boa constrictors, -cut from old circus posters, were disposed about -the cage in alarmingly lifelike positions.</p> - -<p>Bess’s coming launched the procession. People -in the vicinity who had not before known -of the presence of a circus, knew it now. Everybody -talked at once, and every living thing -made its own kind of a noise. Billy as Master -of Ceremonies had his hands full, his voice full -too, one might say.</p> - -<p>But at last they got under way and proceeded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -as quietly as possible down the back -street to the home of Mrs. Lancaster, where -Buzz, as the “Prize Baby of Vine County,” -awaited them in his car, which was very handsome,—one -would never have dreamed it was -only a large wash-tub strapped to a coaster; -flowers and cloth do make such wonderful -changes if handled with art!</p> - -<p>That preliminary march was not without -adventure. The “howdah” on the White -Elephant where May Nell rode as the Fair -Princess of Bombay, became loose and threatened -to spill its small bit of royalty. And when -Harold cinched the thing tighter the old cow -bellowed so the smaller children broke and ran. -However, they were soon back, and the procession -halted at Mrs. Lancaster’s front gate -in fair order. But when she saw the imposing -string of wagons, children, and animals, known -and unknown, she was afraid to trust her precious -Buzz to them.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>“Billy Boy, it’s fine! It’s splendid! But -it’s so big I’m afraid Buzz will be scared.”</p> - -<p>“Well, why don’t you go along, Mrs. Lancaster? -Don’t prize babies have attendants?”</p> - -<p>“Surely; but—”</p> - -<p>“Oh, please, Mrs. Lancaster,” Billy coaxed. -“The circus won’t be any circus at all without -Buzz. We’re to have him for a side show -after the performance. We’ve advertised <i>him</i>,” -Billy pleaded well.</p> - -<p>“Well, the lack of Buzz shall not damage -your show; I’ll go,” Mrs. Lancaster yielded.</p> - -<p>And Billy did not think of it as strange till -Buzz’s grandmother called from behind the -window curtain, “Delia, you surely won’t -traipse through town with that crowd! How -you will look!”</p> - -<p>“Why, ma, the children are quite respectable; -I know all their mothers.” Buzz’s mamma -looked a little mischievous.</p> - -<p>“You romp!” came the disgusted voice once<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -more. “You’d better cut your hair, and your -skirts, and be a child again.”</p> - -<p>“I’d love to, Billy,” Mrs. Lancaster whispered; -“I’ve never liked being grown up.”</p> - -<p>Billy beamed upon her. He adored her, as -did every child in town.</p> - -<p>Now the band came up, a troop of boys in -gorgeous uniforms made of red calico and tinsel -paper. A drum and fife kept tolerable time; -but the wheezy harmonicas and paper-covered -combs, the tin horns and clanging triangles, -quite “covered” any tune the fife attempted. -Yet what matter? It was a joyful noise; -and even the horses kept step to the valiant -drum.</p> - -<p>Flags waved. In spite of Billy all shouted -orders at once. The line was as serpentine as -Bess’s snakes that she held high and wriggling -above her snake-entwined head. Oh, she was -a very realistic snake charmer! Buzz crowed -and clapped his pudgy little hands; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -Lancasters’ small Chinese boy who pulled the -baby’s car almost fell over himself laughing.</p> - -<p>Before they turned into Main Street, however, -the procession was in fair alignment, and the -solemnity of the moment hushed all chatter. -Billy’s most personal disappointment was -Bouncer, who, unhappy because he could not -caper in freedom at Billy’s heels, let his lovely, -bushy tail, that usually waved above his back -in a graceful curve, hang limp and dusty between -his legs; while from drooping head and -sad eyes, he looked reproachfully at Billy every -time the latter ran past.</p> - -<p>But on the whole Billy was proud. “The -kids showed their pluck and stuck to their jobs,” -he told his mother afterward. The White -Elephant bellowed impressively in front of the -postoffice; and Jimmy’s ponies never reared so -gracefully as in front of the bank.</p> - -<p>All the people came out of their shops and -offices and clapped generously. A light breeze<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -floated out the flags, and made the gold fringe -on the Snake Charmer’s cage wave and look -rich and foreign. The band outdid itself; and -as the forward end of the procession turned out -of the street, a great cheer began behind them, -grew and swelled, till even the youngest child -knew “folks liked the circus.”</p> - -<p>“To the park!” Billy shouted, his heart -thumping with joy.</p> - -<p>“The children will get too tired,” the Snake -Charmer warned.</p> - -<p>“No, we won’t!” came a dozen voices.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes; take us to the park, papa,” -piped one half of the Siamese Twins.</p> - -<p>“Of course they won’t be too tired! The -kids have pluck.”</p> - -<p>The Snake Charmer was silenced; for if the -children had before this been tired, not one of -them now but swelled with pride and fortitude -at this praise from Billy.</p> - -<p>All went well for some blocks. There was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -flattering audience at each front door; a few -honored the pageant by following. These were -mostly mothers of the younger children, who -knew the possibilities of such an aggregation -of animals and boys.</p> - -<p>But just before they were to enter the park -Bouncer had his innings. A rabbit, startled, -sprang from under the roadside bushes and ran -down the street toward the open country. -Bouncer’s tail went up. He dashed out of -line, overturned the Polar Bear’s cage, and was -off after his quarry, barking wildly, with the -fast disrupting cage dangling at his heels. -The Polar Bear, liberated, flew home like a -streak of white light. The trained dogs broke -from their struggling boy leaders, carrying with -them gleaming bits of red paper uniform.</p> - -<p>The two steeds attached to the car of the -Goddess of Liberty, also deserted their task, -and marked their path with bright bits of paper -and bunting.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>Old Dom Pedro, scenting fresh excitement, -snorted and bolted. The Strong Man was not -strong enough to hold him to line, though he -guided the horse safely to the Carter stable, -where Bess appeared suddenly, swaying alarmingly -in her flimsy snake cage.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later Charley went back to the -disappointed remnants of the show gathered -in Jimmy’s barn, and told them Mrs. Carter -had said, “no more circus this day for Bess.” -Buzz and his laughing Chinese had been hurried -to safety. The Roc had shed a part of his -false feathers, and was fast giving himself away -as plain gander. The White Elephant had also -become restive, and it was thought best to -transfer the Fair Princess of Bombay from her -howdah to <i>terra firma</i>. And the Goddess of -Liberty, minus her car, and a part of her draperies, -and plus a big smooch on her cheek, was -somehow not very imposing. Various other -livestock became weary or rebellious, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -Siamese Twins had to be severed to prevent -their coming to blows.</p> - -<p>It was too bad! There could be no show in -the barn. But the band was still lusty, the -trick ponies remained, the boys and girls were -eager to talk it over, and—the procession had -been a success!</p> - -<p>Presently the little Chinese boy returned, -his grin resumed, and a large basket on his arm.</p> - -<p>“Missee Lancastler, she say you heap good -show. Now you heap hungly. You catchee -him plenty glub.” With that he uncovered a -treat that made them forget the circus. They -munched the sandwiches, the luscious fruit, -candy, and cake, and other good things from -Mrs. Lancaster’s generous pantry, and discussed -the procession; voted Mrs. Lancaster a trump; -and decided to have a circus every year.</p> - -<p>And the shouts that greeted this fiat shook -the old barn and made the hens in the hay -cackle with fright.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - -<small>THE HIDDEN HUT</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THE last week of school arrived. It was -almost as good as a holiday, for those who -had made the required percentage during the -year were excused from examinations, and -after roll call, released from attendance; and -these included Billy and most of his cronies.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett spoke frequently of the change -in Billy. He was growing more thoughtful, -observant. He remembered small duties, noticed -if mother or sister looked tired or ill, and -volunteered help where formerly he would not -have known help was needed. Perhaps none of -them knew, least of all May Nell herself, how -lastingly her example of watchful kindness had -impressed itself on Billy’s heart.</p> - -<p>If he was more thoughtful, quiet, at home, -his hours of play were more keenly enjoyed as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -they grew daily fewer. He had found a “dandy -job” that would not take him away from home; -he could still mow the lawn, and do the chores. -He was glad now that he had learned various -parts of the housework, for he was to be janitor -and messenger at one of the banks, a fact to be -told his mother as a surprise on the last day of -school.</p> - -<p>He went home after the engagement, walking -on air and talking aloud to himself. “Gee! -I don’t suppose there’s a squinch-eyed ghost -of a chance for me to win that prize money; -but twenty-five a month’ll pay mamma for -what I eat,—and break, I guess.”</p> - -<p>Billy didn’t see Doctor Carter passing in his -buggy, nor hear his greeting; neither did he -see the understanding smile; the Doctor easily -guessed that Billy was planning fun. And he -was; this last week of school should be the -happiest ever. Didn’t work begin next Monday? -Real work! He couldn’t catch up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -bankers in his arms, like his mother, and cajole -them into favors. No; it would be all day and -every day for a hundred years! Only Sundays, -and they didn’t count; for wouldn’t he have -to go to church just the same? Mother and -sister would be hurt if he “put out to the woods” -Sunday mornings. And the bank people, too, -would expect him to go to church; hadn’t -they said none but steady, well-behaved people -could remain in their employ?</p> - -<p>“Jiminy whiz! This is my very last week of -boy; next week I’ll have to be a man,” he said -gloomily.</p> - -<p>He was soon at the “lodge of ample size” -made the week before, not of “strong logs” -but of old fence-rails and willow twigs. He -wondered if the girls would be able to imagine -it a “lodge,” or if May Nell and Jean, who -were to come a little later, could fix it according -to the poem.</p> - -<p>He decided to go first on the mountain and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -set his traps for rabbits; also to mark the bounds -for the “chase,” so that they could gather on -time at the island and go on with the second -canto. If they didn’t “do” two cantos a day -they wouldn’t finish; for Friday must be given -to school. As it was some of them had to be -at the school house each day at three to rehearse -for the “last day” exercises.</p> - -<p>Billy hid his wheel in the same tangle of rose -vine, now all pink and fragrant with bloom, -that had sheltered it that earlier Spring afternoon,—was -it years ago? It seemed so. As -he crept out of the brush and turned to the -steep tangled mountain, he saw the haunted -house, with the bare space in front. There -were the two brothers fighting fiercely!</p> - -<p>Billy slipped quickly to cover again where he -could watch unseen. The men’s faces were -black with passion, and their low, intense words -seemed all the more deadly because strange, -foreign. A coat split down the back with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> -ripping report, and the boy saw the flash of a -knife, and turned away feeling sick.</p> - -<p>Was there to be another murder? Ought he -to call? If he did wouldn’t they turn on him—kill -him? No matter. Some one might be -on the road and hear. And he could run pretty -fast. Anyway he must risk it.</p> - -<p>“Murder! Murder!” he shouted with all -his strength; and his boy’s voice reached far -up and down the lonely distances.</p> - -<p>He saw the men stop, draw apart, and look -around. They discovered no one, but delayed -their quarrel and hurried in the direction of -the sound, exchanging short angry speeches as -they ran.</p> - -<p>With a boy’s cunning and swiftness Billy -made a running creep through the underbrush -up the steep mountain side. From a peephole -higher up he stopped, breathless, and -watched them beat the chaparral round about -where he had stood; saw them go down into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -the road, look each way, turn and scan the -mountain; and at last slink off, one to the house, -the other to the vineyard.</p> - -<p>Relieved, yet with his nerves quivering Billy -plunged into the deep woods of the higher altitudes. -The air was unusually hot and stifling, -and his eyes watered. “Fire in the woods -somewhere,” he murmured, recognizing the -odor of smoke.</p> - -<p>He had left his traps,—the fight had sent -all else flying out of his mind. No matter. -He could set them in some vineyard. Already -the short grass on the hills was brown, and -many of the wild flowers were past their blooming. -The rabbits would be seeking the tender -green of the vines, the purpling alfalfa, standing -lush and sweet, ready for mowing.</p> - -<p>Up, up Billy climbed. On the bare spaces, -or balanced on the point of some slender rock, -he stopped frequently to look down on the -beautiful valley below; on little farms laid out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -checker-board fashion, dark green squares for -orchards, lighter green for vineyards, with -tree-lined lanes running between. Overhead -fleecy clouds chased one another like freshly -washed, woolly sheep across the blue pasture -of the heavens. In the north the great blue -mountain loomed, all its opalescent tints and -shadows hidden till the setting of the sun should -light them forth.</p> - -<p>Billy breathed deep. How he loved this -opulent valley which was his birthplace and -home! He longed to see all the world, yet -he thought no other place could be as beautiful.</p> - -<p>As he crashed again through the close-grown -brush he almost forgot the ugly scene just -enacted below. He had been sorry to leave -Bouncer to come with the girls; now he was -glad. It was good to be quite alone up there -with Nature in her less familiar places. A dark -ravine lured him. Well as he knew the mountain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -he had never explored this gorge. The -delicate fragrance of wild azaleas greeted him; -he could see their pale pink bloom tipping the -tall trees that rose out of the chaparral forty -or fifty feet above the stream that tinkled beneath -them.</p> - -<p>As he climbed down, reaching from branch -to branch, very cautiously, he knew not why, -he was suddenly halted by the sound of low -voices. Carefully he crept nearer. A tiny -hut came in view, with an open door, and the -glint of fire within. A man was standing outside, -smoking a pipe, yet wearing hat, coat, -and gloves, as if about to set off. He was very -large. His clothes were new and showy, too -bright in color, too large of check. His watch -chain was massive; the big diamond out of -place with his colored shirt; and the soft silk -handkerchief he drew from his pocket was a -brilliant red, and the largest Billy had ever seen. -Another man, in the doorway, was smaller and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -bareheaded. His sleeves were rolled up, and -his hands were stained.</p> - -<p>Billy heard the hatted one say “So long!” -saw him start down a path that followed close -beside the stream, perfectly hidden from any -one who might be walking the crests above. -The other man brought a pail and started up -the hill.</p> - -<p>Billy knew that the man was going to the -spring for water; knew where it was hidden, -far in the woods, big and round, deep and clear! -It was more than a hundred yards away at least. -He waited and listened till the noise of snapping -twigs was hushed, then crept down and peered -into the hut. The place was so small there was -no need of entering; he could see all the interior -from the sill.</p> - -<p>What he saw there lent wings to his feet.</p> - -<p>He climbed cat-like to the crest again, slid -through the brush, dashed across bare spots, -jumped from rocks that jutted in his way,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -struck stones but righted himself before falling, -truly “hit only the high places,” as he breathlessly -told the girls waiting for him at Ellen’s -Isle.</p> - -<p>“No ‘chase’ to-day, girls. I’ve got business -in town.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, chuck the business,” Jean said impatiently. -“Can’t it wait till noon? I must -go home then.”</p> - -<p>“No, it can’t wait one minute longer’n it’ll -take me to get to town. Maybe I can come -back though.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll have to break the record if you get -here before noon.”</p> - -<p>“Billy, let me plan,” May Nell interposed. -“We’ll work hard to fix up the Lodge before -Jean has to go home. I’ll stay and wait for -you, and Bouncer with me; and I’ll search for -my Idean vine. I must have something that -will do for that. I wish I could find a real -one.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span>“I hate to have you stay without Jean,” -Billy objected.</p> - -<p>“What’s the harm? She’s on Mr. Potter’s -land, and the road’s near.”</p> - -<p>“And Bouncer’s here,” May Nell added, -hugging the dog affectionately.</p> - -<p>“All right. I’m off!”</p> - -<p>“But you haven’t told us what hurries you -so,” Jean called, while Billy was already sprinting -away.</p> - -<p>“Can’t stop. It’s private anyway.” He -waved his hand, ran across the foot-bridge and -down the road, dodged into the brush for his -wheel; and in a moment they heard his shout -as he sped by toward town.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - -<small>IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THE girls worked hard to bower the interior -of the Lodge with evergreen; to -spread and hang the rugs they had brought; -but before their task was finished distant -whistles warned Jean. She took Bouncer’s -face between her hands and charged him with -May Nell’s protection as if he were human. -And Bouncer wagged his tail, and in a short, -sharp bark pledged himself as if he were human.</p> - -<p>“Don’t go off Mr. Potter’s land, will you, -May Nell? The fenced part, I mean. Eat -some lunch soon; Billy may be gone an hour -longer. Good-bye. Don’t get too tired. I’ll -send Clarence if I can find him.”</p> - -<p>Jean, too, crossed the little bridge, climbed -the fence, mounted her wheel, and rolled off -down the dusty road.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span>May Nell watched the flying figure turn out -of sight around the mountain; and for a minute -the forest grew absolutely still, and the child -began to tremble. But a meadow lark, almost -from under her feet it seemed, sent forth a rippling -song; across the river her mate replied. -A flock of white ducks came waddling and -quacking from the opposite field, plunged into -the water, and swam about noisily, tipping their -little tails up and their big bills down as they -reached for submerged morsels. Bouncer made -a swift circuit of the Lodge, sniffing now and -then questioningly; but came soon and sat down -in front of May Nell; put his paw on her knee -and gave her another short bark.</p> - -<p>“Good dog! I understand you, Bouncer, -and I’m not lonesome any more.”</p> - -<p>She opened the lunch pail and gave him a -scrap from it; ate a sandwich herself; and in a -moment started off to find the Idean vine. -Nothing appeared that fitted her mind’s picture<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -of that creeper; but she found a great sheet of -delicate wild clematis, covering the tangled roots -of a fallen oak with its pale green tendrils. -The earth was soft, the roots easily lifted; and -shortly she had masses of it uprooted and trailing -after her to the Lodge.</p> - -<p>Many times she had seen Mrs. Bennett transplant -the garden flowers, had helped; now she -put all her lore to use. Patiently she toiled with -brittle sticks and pointed stones till the vine -was replanted against the rude walls; emptied -the dinner pail and trudged back and forth to -the river several times for water, to wet the -earth above the roots; and patted it down with -muddy little hands.</p> - -<p>She was happy and the time passed unnoticed -till she had finished, and put the food back in -the pail, when a queer, dizzy feeling came upon -her and she sank down on one of the rugs.</p> - -<p>“Why doesn’t Billy come?” she asked -of Bouncer; and the dog ran out of the door<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -and stood on three legs, one forefoot lifted, his -eyes fixed on the spot where Billy had disappeared. -But no master was to be seen, and he -went back to May Nell, whined, and put his -nose on her knee.</p> - -<p>“My stomach’s crying so I’ll have to eat -one more sandwich, Bouncer. It’s a shame -when Billy isn’t here. I’ll give you half, old -dog.”</p> - -<p>She put out her hand for the pail but stopped -suddenly, for the dog growled; and the next -instant the room darkened, and a man stood -in the doorway.</p> - -<p>May Nell looked at him with wide eyes. She -saw that he was not a vineyard workman, his -clothes were too fine. She did not see them in -detail, the large checked trousers, the shiny -gloves, and the big diamond, but she felt instinctively -that one who could dress so was -different from the men she knew. And the -look in his face made her cold.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>“Well, Miss Smith, are you alone here?”</p> - -<p>How did he know her name, she wondered, -yet answered more bravely than she felt. -“Yes, sir.” She thought it best to be as polite -as possible. “I’m alone now, but the boys -are expected every minute.” She would say -“boys” even if Clarence didn’t come; it -sounded more protecting.</p> - -<p>“You’re George Rideout Smith’s kid, ain’t -you?”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0200-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="caption">“You’re George Rideout Smith’s kid, ain’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; but I’m afraid my papa’s dead, he’s -been gone so long.” How she hated that word -“kid.”</p> - -<p>“Well, he ain’t dead; he’s alive and bully, -with a wad that bulges. I’m going to take -you to him.”</p> - -<p>“Right—now—are you?” The arm that -was around Bouncer tightened, and she thought -her “heart would fly right up into her throat.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, right now.” He stepped nearer, and -Bouncer growled and bristled.</p> - - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>The man swore and looked for a cudgel.</p> - -<p>“Oh, please, mister, sir, don’t hurt Bouncer. -I’d rather you’d hit me. He’s the best dog -ever lived, and I won’t let you hurt him.” -Her courage grew as she spoke, and he stopped -his search and glanced her way. She looked -up, bravely pleading for the dog she hugged -harder.</p> - -<p>“You’re a plucky kid, all right,” he replied, -touched more than he would have admitted. -“I won’t hurt the dog if you do as I tell you.” -He looked for a cord or rope, but found none, -and pulled from his pocket a red handkerchief. -“Tie this around his neck; let one end hang -down.”</p> - -<p>The child obeyed, but her fingers trembled; -and Bouncer whined and licked her hand.</p> - -<p>“Pull it tighter.”</p> - -<p>That was not difficult, for the soft silk slipped -into a knot as strong as if tied in hemp.</p> - -<p>“Bring him here.” The man stepped out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -and laid his hand on a sapling that grew beside -the Lodge. May Nell followed with the dog.</p> - -<p>“Now hold his head between your hands and -tell him not to touch me.”</p> - -<p>The child was “boiling inside,” yet she believed -Bouncer’s life depended on her obedience. -And anyway, Billy would come in a minute. -Oh, why wasn’t he there now!</p> - -<p>The big hands in spite of the shiny gloves -tied the dog fast and very close to the tree. -“Now give me that dinky ribbon from your -hair,” he commanded, and tied the growling -dog’s forefeet together. And May Nell knew -the man’s voice was gruffer when Bouncer was -helpless. He gazed at her reproachfully from -eyes that moved though his head could not. -She would never forget those sad eyes that -followed her when she was ordered away.</p> - -<p>She glanced down the road, and swiftly -around. Not a soul in sight. Obedience was -inevitable.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>He held out his hand, but the little girl put -hers behind her. “I’ll come by myself,” she -said with dignity. Whatever happened that -dreadful man should not touch her.</p> - -<p>He laughed coarsely. “George Smith’s kid, -all right. You’ve got the same high way with -you.”</p> - -<p>“Where are you going to take me?” she asked, -trying to equal his long stride.</p> - -<p>“Where you’ll be safe till I let your father -know I’ve got you.”</p> - -<p>“But you said you would take me to him. -I thought you knew where he is.”</p> - -<p>Again he laughed, and patted May Nell -roughly but not unkindly. “I do; but there’s -preliminaries before I get you two together. -<i>Sabe?</i>”</p> - -<p>May Nell didn’t understand, but thought it -best to answer in the affirmative. Beyond -that she said nothing, but trudged along by -his side till they came to the road and turned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -toward the haunted house, when he took her -suddenly in his arms and walked on in the -deepest of the dusty ruts.</p> - -<p>“I can walk,” she said, struggling to be put -down.</p> - -<p>“So you can, but I’ll carry you just the -same.” His smothering hold warned her to -quiescence; and she did not stir till he set her -within the rear door.</p> - -<p>“Do you live here?” she questioned with an -irrepressible shudder.</p> - -<p>“No; but I stop here sometimes. Are you -afraid of ghosts?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no; there aren’t any. Billy says so, -and he knows. He knows, too, that there are -other people here beside the Italians.”</p> - -<p>The man faced her abruptly. “The devil -he knows!”</p> - -<p>“Does he?” May Nell stared innocently -into the darkening eyes. “I should think that -would make you awfully agitated.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>For an instant he looked as if he would beat -her. Then his face broke into a smile that held -no fear for her. “Say, kid, you’re up to the -limit; and I’m on the square with you. In -three days, if you obey me, you’ll jump into -your dad’s arms. I’ve got to lock you up now; -but nothing’s going to hurt you, and I’ll see -that you’re comfortable.”</p> - -<p>Locked up! The child’s heart beat stiflingly; -yet she did not cry out; she thought self-control -would win her more favor than tears.</p> - -<p>“This isn’t so bad,” he continued, as he led -her into a sunny upper chamber that looked -on the mountain in the rear. “And it’ll be -all over in a day or so; you’ll see your father,—on -the square you will, little kid. Do you -think you’ll scream? You’d better not.” He -put his hand under her chin to lift her face, -and she was glad he wore gloves.</p> - -<p>“I’ll not make a noise, and I’ll—I’ll try -not to cry; but I’m afraid I’ll ha-have t-to,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -she faltered, struggling to hide her eyes that -grew moist in spite of herself.</p> - -<p>Again he patted her shoulder, and this time -his voice was more kind. “You’re a brave -little girl, and if I was your dad I’d be dead -stuck on you. Just you don’t be afraid. I’ll -bring your supper by and by.”</p> - -<p>He went out. May Nell stared after him, -dazed and trembling. When the key turned -in the lock she looked around wildly; ran to -the window and tried it. It was nailed down. -For a second she stood quite still, gazing -straight before her. Then the horror of her -plight swept over her; she threw herself on the -bed, a crumpled little heap, buried her face in -the pillow, and sobbed piteously.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XV<br /> - -<small>AGAINST THE FIRE</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">DOCTOR CARTER was not in when Billy -arrived at his office breathless and hatless. -He had not foreseen this. All the way -to town his thoughts had raced with his wheel. -He had planned how he could tell his story the -quickest; had thought of no other ear for his -confidence than Doctor Carter’s, the kind, all-understanding -physician who had fought valiantly -if losingly to save Billy’s father; who -had ever since been the most thoughtful of -friends as well as the best of physicians. He -seemed to Billy the only man to trust with his -secret. This was something that could not be -told to the best mother in the world, even not -considering the fright it would give her; it was -quite out of a woman’s world.</p> - -<p>The boy went into the street again, mounted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -and rode rapidly round the corner. His own -home was across the way; his mother might -see him at the office and call him. But once -out of sight he stopped to consider what came -next. Who was the right man to tell after the -Doctor? The Sheriff!</p> - -<p>A shiver chased up and down Billy’s spine. -He knew the Sheriff by sight only; and he was -so inseparable from the handcuffs the boy had -seen protruding from a pocket, that Billy felt -it would “almost fasten suspicion on a fellow -just to be seen speaking to the officer.”</p> - -<p>But a familiar sound came to his ear, and he -turned to see the Doctor’s splendid bays pounding -down the street, pulling the buggy almost -by the taut reins. Billy followed quickly and -was soon closeted with the man, who listened, -first with a smile, afterward with grave attention.</p> - -<p>“My boy, you have done a wonderful thing!” -he said when Billy had finished. “You must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -come with me and tell your story again. If it -comes out as I think, you’ll earn at least a -thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p>Half paralyzed with astonishment Billy went -with the Doctor to the Sheriff’s office; but he -was out and the deputy didn’t know when he -would return; thought it might be within an -hour or so. There was nothing to do but wait. -Billy’s perplexed, baffled face touched the -Doctor. His temples were already gray, but -he had not forgotten how a boy feels.</p> - -<p>“You don’t want to see your mother now, -do you, boy? No more do you feel like jabbering -with Bess at our table. Come over to the -hotel, and we’ll lunch together.”</p> - -<p>“But Mrs. Carter’ll expect—” Billy began, -yet stopped, for the physician was laughing.</p> - -<p>“A doctor’s wife gets over ‘expecting’ very -young, Billy. They won’t think I’m dead if I -don’t come home to lunch. But your mother?” -His inflection finished the question.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span>“She’ll be all right. May Nell and me—I—we -took our lunch and went over to Potter’s -pasture. Shoot! She’s waiting now! I hope -the poor little kiddie—little girl—eats, don’t -wait for me,—she an’ Bouncer.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, she’ll eat when she gets hungry, never -fear.”</p> - -<p>But Billy thought with pride that May Nell -was one person he knew better than the -Doctor.</p> - -<p>They turned into the town’s finest hotel, just -opened.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t—I haven’t washed. I’m—” -All at once as Billy walked through the tiled -entrance, and felt himself in the midst of -splendors he had viewed only from without, he -was overcome with the suspicion that he looked -rather queer beside the immaculate Doctor. -He knew his hair “stood up all ways for Sunday”; -and his face must be dirty. “But they -won’t know how dirty,” he reflected; “this is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -the time them plaguey freckles’ll get in an’ -hide the dust.” Freckles were Billy’s sorest -point.</p> - -<p>“Come with me, Billy; I must wash up. -I’ve had a dusty drive up Spring Mountain; -you know the roads aren’t watered up there.”</p> - -<p>Billy looked the Doctor over and wondered. -He was not subtle enough to suspect the Doctor’s -purpose. “Golly! I’d hate to have to -wash as much as a doctor,” he exclaimed, as -they stepped into the exquisitely appointed -lavatory. “You look now like you’d just had -a Turkish bath. But I’m glad of the chance -for myself.” He surely did look better when -the two came out and crossed to the big dining-room; -though there was a tell-tale streak around -his neck, and his crown lock stood stiff and -divided.</p> - -<p>At first he could not eat with relish, his mind -was so distracted with admiration of the magnificent -room, and impatient to get his worrying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -secret off his heart and conscience. But his -wise host ordered so artfully, and filled the intervals -of waiting with such delightful stories -and anecdotes, explanations of the decorations, -funny facts or conjectures concerning the hotel -and guests, that before he knew it, Billy had, -he told his mother afterward, referring to his -stomach, “loaded her up to the guards, ’nough -to make you ’shamed of me, mother.”</p> - -<p>When they entered the Sheriff’s office again -it was two o’clock. He was there, and gave -Billy a private audience far more graciously -than he would have done had not Doctor Carter’s -presence been voucher for the importance -of the matter. When the boy repeated his -story, less confidently, less dramatically than -before, yet not needing the Doctor’s comment -to prove its value, the Sheriff drew a long breath -and emphasized it with a blow of his fist on the -table.</p> - -<p>“That’s the gang we’ve been hunting through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -five counties. Boy, you’ve done what the -State’s been trying a long time to do. The -reward’s a good lump; if we bag the game you -shall have your share.”</p> - -<p>Billy looked on wide-eyed, as the Doctor said -with a puzzling smile, “And, Sheriff, if I don’t -think you divide fair with my friend here, -you’ve got me to deal with next election. -See?”</p> - -<p>“All right, Doc,” the other replied a bit -gruffly; “suppose we catch ’em before we fight -about the divvy.”</p> - -<p>It took a very short time to gather the posse, -instruct it, and set out for the mountain. The -Sheriff gave Billy an old hat and bade him to a -seat behind the swift horses; and Billy obeyed, -feeling a strange elation as they set out. It -was just like a story. Could it be he, plain -Billy Bennett, that was assisting the State -to find long-sought-for criminals? The horses -flew, yet Billy thought they would never arrive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -at the turn in the road where they would leave -them. He felt as if in some unknown way the -man at the hut would surely know of their -coming, would hide, destroy, perhaps carry off -all that would convict him, and the other, the -big man,— Oh, would they never be there?</p> - -<p>But a different and sudden fear leaped in -both hearts as they rounded the shoulder of -the mountain. The air had rapidly grown more -oppressive; now they knew the cause, the -forest was on fire!</p> - -<p>June had been unusually warm and dry, and -careless early campers had already started their -annual conflagrations. Now high over the -crest of the mountain the flames came sweeping -down; came with the wind from the valley on -the other side where they had raged till fuel was -exhausted.</p> - -<p>“Great Scott, boy! We’ll have to hurry. -We must get up there before the fire gets down. -Do you know the shortest way?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>“Yes,” Billy answered breathlessly as he -leaped from the buggy; “but we’ll have to go -in the way I did if you want to catch ’em sure. -We can come out by the trail.”</p> - -<p>They tied the horses, and once hidden from -the road, shed every superfluous garment. -Billy was quite ashamed of the chill he could -not help when he saw the handcuffs, pistols, -and cartridges disposed neatly and conveniently -about the Sheriff’s waist. They looked -so vicious, “disrespectable.”</p> - -<p>The heat and smoke increased alarmingly as -they went on, the man puffing at the boy’s -pace. In and out, occasionally doubling and -returning but never losing altitude, Billy crashed -on. His slender body slipped through underbrush -by way of small apertures that would not -admit the man’s greater bulk; he had to break -his way. The boy, also accustomed to running, -climbing, had the advantage of better -breath; though the other could not, Billy still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -held his mouth shut against the suffocating -smoke, kept his smarting eyes partly closed.</p> - -<p>The roar of the flames came dreadfully near. -Trees cracked, crashed and fell, sending up -columns of sparks and cinders that dropped -about the panting climbers. Billy began to -wonder if he would hold out to the end of his -task. His boy’s agility had easily outdone the -man’s; but he had made the trip once before -that day, had ridden from town at a killing -speed; and now his endurance was almost at -an end, while the Sheriff was getting his -“second wind.”</p> - -<p>They came to the crest of the gorge. “We’ll -have to slow up and zig-zag down carefully -or they’ll hear us an’ get away,” Billy suggested.</p> - -<p>“They won’t be watching for visitors,” the -man answered; “they’ll be hiding the plant -and skinning out of here,—if they haven’t -already,” he added apprehensively. He stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -back to the wind and scanned the opposite -bank. “There they are, two of our fellows; -the chaps haven’t escaped in that direction.”</p> - -<p>As ordered two of the posse were closing in -from the west toward the rendezvous. A few -more steps and the four met. Those who had -been ordered to beat the mountain about the -spring were waiting below; the fire had perfectly -policed that territory.</p> - -<p>As the four descended the air in the gorge -became clearer. They approached the hut -stealthily; and when in full view of the closed -door, the Sheriff told Billy his part of the work -was done, and ordered him home out of the -fire.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mr. Sheriff, you won’t send me off -now, will you, when the business is just beginning?”</p> - -<p>In spite of the grave situation, the officer -smiled at Billy’s entreating words, remembered -suddenly the danger from both fire and possible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -lurking desperadoes. “All right. Get behind -that tree, and stay out of the reach of -stray shot.”</p> - -<p>The three men lined up in front of the closed -door, and one of the deputies quickly threw it -open. For an instant the officers stood motionless -with weapons drawn. Billy watched with -fascinated eyes; the moment the door opened -forgot orders, ran and crouched behind the -Sheriff, peering under his uplifted arm. There -in the lurid firelight that streamed through the -closed window, stood the two men he had seen -before, hands up, rigid, staring into pistol -barrels. Floor boards were torn up; strange -vessels, scales, various paraphernalia Billy could -not understand, lay about them; while in a -deep hole they had dug, a small, iron-bound -chest was partially covered with earth. The -men’s faces were smutched, streaming with -perspiration, and pale with terror.</p> - -<p>“Just in time, I reckon,” the Sheriff said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> -facetiously; “pull up that chest and come along -to our party.”</p> - -<p>Fight gleamed in the big man’s eye, and for -the breath of an instant he hesitated.</p> - -<p>“Come, come! We can’t be cremated while -we wait. Mush!”</p> - -<p>The Sheriff was a small man with fair, curly -hair like a girl’s; but there was that in his eye -that reinforced his pistol, made the big fellow -quail, the other mutter a low warning. The -two lifted the chest by its strong handles and -stepped out.</p> - -<p>In the short moments that had passed since -their coming the Sheriff saw that the fire had -gained perilously. Instead of sparks great -flaming brands dropped all around them; the -crests of the ravine were sheets of fire that -swept downward, wrapping every tree and shrub -in their path, making of the pines huge towers -of flame.</p> - -<p>“There’s a better way,” Billy called, when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -deputy leading started to climb back as he had -come. “Follow the creek; there’s a trail.”</p> - -<p>“That’s good news. Run ahead, boy, and -show us the way. Fly, fly!”</p> - -<p>Billy needed no hurrying. He dashed off -along a well defined path, free from hindering -branches. It hugged the brawling stream, -crossed it more than once by way of stepping -stones, and led on past the already shriveling -azaleas. It must have been long used to be so -clear.</p> - -<p>Billy ducked his head into the cooling water, -filled his mouth, and ran on. He could hear -the painful breathing of the prisoners bearing -the chest. It looked heavy, and he knew it was -hard to carry, walking single file down the steep -trail. How awfully they must feel, Billy -thought. It was like the children in the fiery -furnace. Did the men see that this was a tragic -beginning of the just penalty for their sins? -Cheats! Robbers! No, not robbers, boldly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> -risking life for booty, but cunning thieves, -stealing from their fellow men, from widows, -orphans, perhaps from his own mother; she -had taken a counterfeit piece only a little while -before.</p> - -<p>The heat was awful; yet it was growing less, -for the fire was nearly spent, but Billy was so -exhausted he did not perceive it. He began to -stumble, to see double. Everything seemed to -be on fire,—trees, rocks, even the water gleaming -from overhead flames. His blood felt hot -in his veins; and long afterward he saw red in -his sleep. At length his foot caught in a root, -and he fell heavily.</p> - -<p>They came upon him a second later, insensible, -his head bleeding from a scalp wound. -Hurriedly the Sheriff lifted him close to the -brook, dashed water over his face, washed out -the cut a little, and bound it with his handkerchief, -not untenderly if in haste; for Billy had -won something more than his approval.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>“Oh, don’t wait for me,” Billy exclaimed, -opening his eyes suddenly; “you won’t catch -’em! The fire’ll get there first! Hurry! Leave -me alone, I tell you!”</p> - -<p>The Sheriff smiled at the note of command -in the boy’s incoherence. “Not on your life, -sonny,” and his voice softened; “we’ve got -to have you in our business. Help him along,” -he said to one of the deputies, as they came a -moment later to where the path broadened; -while he walked behind covering the panting -prisoners.</p> - -<p>Presently they came to others of the posse, -and after that to a long line of farmers and other -citizens, fighting desperately but successfully -against the dying flames.</p> - -<p>The clearer air revived Billy, and he was soon -walking without help, coming shortly to the -road where the wagons waited; coming in sight -of Ellen’s Isle.</p> - -<p>May Nell! Where was she? He had forgotten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -her! It must be three—four— Oh, how -late was it? Was she safe? Or had she fainted -from fright; and was she lying there now, helpless? -He looked across the plashing river to the -green, blossoming isle, grateful for water and -grass and green shrub, and the sheltering Lodge -that would keep her safe from the fire. Yet -the terror of being there alone, of seeing that -awful sheet of flame sweep down the mountain -to her very feet,—perhaps a fainting spell,—that -surely must have followed,—with no one -there to revive her, it might be—fatal!</p> - -<p>“Oh, Betsey, give it to me!” he whispered in -agony of soul. “Don’t let up’s long’s I live! -Maybe I’ve killed her!”</p> - -<p>But even as he looked he saw two people -coming; his mother and Jean, crossing the foot-bridge -that led to the pasture side of the river. -The throbbing in his head, the stifled lungs, -interest in the capture of the prisoners,—all -faded before this terrible dread.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>“Let me go, please!” he pleaded. “There’s -a little girl, our refugee, over there, fainted, I -think, perhaps—dead.”</p> - -<p>The Sheriff wondered at the boy’s vehemence, -yet was too busy loading the wagon to pay -much attention to him. “Think you’re fit, -sonny? You look all in. Better ride to town—we’ll -send some one for the little girl.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no, no! I’m fit—I must find her myself—right -now!”</p> - -<p>The man gave him an affectionate slap. “Go, -then. You’re a right game kid, sure.”</p> - -<p>Billy was off, fear lending fleetness to feet -that a moment before had been leaden. He -overtook his mother and Jean in the path to -the Lodge. “Have you come for her?” he -panted. “Do you think she’s alone still?”</p> - -<p>“What has happened to you, Billy?” his -mother questioned sharply as she turned at his -voice and saw his damaged head. “You’re -hurt, Billy!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>“Not a bit!” His words were strangely -impatient. “I’ve got to find her!” He -started past them.</p> - -<p>“Wait, Billy! You <i>are</i> hurt, badly. Let -me see.” She put out a detaining hand.</p> - -<p>But he was not to be hindered. “It’s only -a scratch, mother; you can fuss it up all you -want to later; but you mustn’t stop me now!” -He pulled away from her and bounded up the -path.</p> - -<p>“It’s my fault, too, Mrs. Bennett; don’t -put the blame all on Billy,” Jean half sobbed; -and hurried after him.</p> - -<p>But Mrs. Bennett wasn’t blaming any one; -she didn’t really know what the excitement was -all about.</p> - -<p>Before he emerged from the leafy path Billy -heard well-known whining, and wondered why -the dog didn’t come to meet him. The next -instant he saw him straining against his bonds.</p> - -<p>Bouncer tied? That red handkerchief! The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> -boy went cold and pale. Before he looked he -knew that May Nell was not there. He turned -his white face to the others as they came up.</p> - -<p>“She’s been stolen, mother! But I’ll find -her—I know where to look. Don’t be afraid, -mother, I <i>will</i> find her!” he repeated with grave -emphasis, as he whipped out his knife and cut -the dog loose.</p> - -<p>“Billy! Who could steal our little girl? -I cannot think it. She’s gone with some of the -children to watch the fire.” Mrs. Bennett’s -words were braver than her face, for in her heart -she felt Billy was right, though she wondered -why.</p> - -<p>“They’ve stolen her, all right. I don’t know -why, but I know who,—it’s the Ha’nt people!” -Billy panted, coming out of the Lodge.</p> - -<p>“O Billy!” Jean gasped, fear for the little, -delicate girl in that eery place lending sympathy -to her voice.</p> - -<p>“Are you sure, my boy? I’ll go with you—”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>“No, no, mother! This is business for only -Bouncer and me.” He caught up the cut handkerchief -and called the dog before his mother -could hinder. “Find her, Bouncer! Find May -Nell! Sic ’em!” he shouted, and set off heedless -of his mother’s continued protestations, -after the bounding dog.</p> - -<p>“You can send some one after us, a man—not -you, not either of you,” he called back over his -shoulder, and was soon out of sight.</p> - -<p>Jean was for following in spite of Billy’s -commands; but Mrs. Bennett, full of apprehension, -insisted that the girl should go with -her; and the two set out in search of help.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - -<small>THE BRIDGE TO SAFETY</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">NEITHER boy nor dog paused till they came -to the dusty road. There Bouncer stopped -and ran excitedly about the spot where the -big man had taken May Nell in his arms; -doubled back on his track, stopped again, and -looked up at Billy, perplexity written all over -his face. Billy encouraged him with word and -caress; but he came at last, put his nose against -Billy’s knee, and whined apologetically.</p> - -<p>“Never mind, Bouncer. I’ve another card -up my sleeve!” He patted and hugged the old -dog till his tail waved once more gracefully over -his back. “Here! Try this. Sic ’em!” Billy -thrust the scraps of red silk under his nose; and -in an instant Bouncer was off after the new -scent.</p> - -<p>“I knew it!” Billy panted feverishly. “The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> -Ha’nt!” Heedless of the dog running with -his nose close to the ground, Billy rushed on. -His shirt was torn, his trousers hanging by one -suspender, his shoes cut and one tap turned -back. Ashes whitened his hair; though at the -back a dark mat was still damp from oozing -blood,—the handkerchief that had bound it -had been torn off by a twitching twig. His -smarting eyes watered so that he could hardly -see his way. Yet of all this he was unconscious. -Weariness, pain, his cracked and -bleeding lips,—he knew nothing of them, felt -nothing.</p> - -<p>It was as if some tremendous force had taken -possession of his tired, stricken body, and carried -it on with no volition of his own. Afterward -he remembered, understood; knew it was -his own will that rose and ruled every bodily -faculty; knew, and was glad, for that day he -stepped into a realm of power he should never -lose as long as he lived.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span>In front of the stone steps that led up to the -barred door he hesitated; but the dog raced -round to the rear. Instantly Billy followed.</p> - -<p>What if the Italians should be there? Impossible. -Surely they would be on the mountain -fighting fire. What if the door should be -locked? The thought made him tremble, yet -he hurried on and softly tried the handle. -It would not open!</p> - -<p>Baffled, yet knowing he had expected it, he -ran this way and that, peering round each -corner, scanning the bare, high walls to see if -by chance some window had been left unbarred. -Not one less than a dozen feet from the ground! -He ran back to the door, was almost tempted -to shake it, yet knew that would be a foolish -trick; some one might be within guarding May -Nell; might at the first noise still more securely -hide her,—they said there were fearfully deep -and dark cellars under that house! She might -come to—to some dreadful harm!</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>In desperation he stood still, gazing at the -windows above; reprimanding the dog sharply -when he whined, though his fingers unconsciously -patted away the sting of the rebuke.</p> - -<p>The solid rock of the mountain had been cut -away from the rear of the house to form a natural, -paved court. At the top was a small -chicken coop, its wall flush with the wall of -rock; and near it grew an oak sapling not -larger than Billy’s arm.</p> - -<p>It quickly occurred to him to run around -and climb up there by the coop. Perhaps he -could see into the windows—perhaps see— He -didn’t wait to finish his thought, but -scrambled frantically up the steep and came -around to the top of the wall. The window -opposite and level with him was bare but not -as dirty as the others; and against it he saw -a bed-post. Anyway that room was used -by some one besides ghosts, he thought; and -wondered what to do next. Just then Bouncer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> -sprang up and gave a single short bark, his -bark of greeting.</p> - -<p>“She’s there, old dog!” Billy caught Bouncer’s -nose tight in his hand to prevent a repetition; -and at that instant May Nell herself -appeared at the window!</p> - -<p>It took two hands to hold the dog’s mouth -shut now; and for a minute that Billy thought -much longer, it seemed as if he never would be -able to make him keep quiet. But he succeeded -at last, and turned again to see May Nell -standing in full view with her finger on her lips.</p> - -<p>“Are you hurt?” Billy spelled with the hand -alphabet every boy and girl knows.</p> - -<p>“No; well,” came the answer.</p> - -<p>“Alone?”</p> - -<p>“Not in the house; in this room, yes.”</p> - -<p>“Who?”</p> - -<p>“One of the brothers, hurt.”</p> - -<p>“Any one else?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>“Open window.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t. Nailed.”</p> - -<p>“Break it,—not now; when I tell you.”</p> - -<p>“No, no! They’ll kill us!”</p> - -<p>From where he stood Billy could see the distress -in her face. He must think of a way to -get her, and he must, <i>must</i> hurry!</p> - -<p>He ran back a few steps and found a loose -board he had climbed over when coming up. -This he carried to the edge of the wall. “When -I call,” he spelled out, “break window, use -chair, come across on board.”</p> - -<p>She shook her head.</p> - -<p>Just then he saw a wagon in the distance -rounding the curve of the mountain. This was -his minute. He must get her before that team -passed. Then if any one attempted to prevent -him he would have help. He turned back to -May Nell.</p> - -<p>“You must do it,” he spelled. His stiffened -fingers must have carried authority, for she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> -nodded; and he saw her get a chair and stand -with it, ready to do his bidding.</p> - -<p>He lifted the board, trying its weight. Could -he ever get it safely placed? Higher he lifted -it, and began to let it drop; but he saw that -if the other end missed the window sill, it would -pull him down to the court below. Frantic, -he stared about for help, for inspiration. He -dared not wait till the passers came in hearing; -the sound of his voice calling might too soon -rouse men inside, make them shoot perhaps. -As it was he expected every minute to see a -swarthy face appear, a hand with a knife or -pistol. It was not for himself he feared, but -for May Nell, the little girl who for some strange -reason was worth something to these desperadoes, -and whose life would be on his soul if he -did not save her.</p> - -<p>His boyish knowledge and imagination, equal -to many pictures of danger for the girl, did not -extend to her captors. He never stopped to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -consider, nor would he have understood if he -had, the plight of the criminals. He knew that -two had been captured, one of whom before -that had carried off May Nell; but his small -newspaper reading of “gangs” of counterfeiters -had given him visions of dozens of -desperate criminals, terrorizing communities, -and equal to any bold crime. Now in his -mind’s eye he could see men skulking in the -brush, listening in rooms below, only waiting -to pounce on May Nell the moment she -smashed the window. Oh, yes, he must hurry—hurry!</p> - -<p>In his distress his wandering eye discovered -a bunch of vine ties, short pieces of soft hemp -rope for fastening vines to their supporting -stakes. They were hanging against the rear -of the coop, and a gust of wind had blown them -into view. Like a flash he sprang and caught -them; tied several together in quick, strong -knots, and lashed himself to the little tree.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> -Then he took up the board again, poised it at a -perpendicular, calculated the angle, and slowly -dropped it. Would the end reach the sill? -No, it was too short!</p> - -<p>He tried to hold it from falling, but could not. -It seemed as if his arms would be pulled out of -their sockets. It would fall short—he must -hold on to it, not let it strike below, for the -noise would betray them too soon; and—the -men in the wagon were passing!</p> - -<p>With a supreme effort he straightened his -arms just as the board reached the level of the -sill, pushed it forward with all his might; and—it -caught! Caught by an inch or less!</p> - -<p>“Stop!” his upheld warning hand said to -May Nell. He found his knife, cut his lashings, -and beckoned to her vehemently. He -waited only for the crash of glass and sash, when -he threw himself outstretched on the ground, -and pushed the board hard against the lower -edge of the window frame.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/p0236-illus.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">She scudded across the bending board</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span>“It’s up to you now, my girl,” he panted -under his breath. “The board will bend—you -mustn’t be frightened. Fix your eyes on -the tree—come fast.”</p> - -<p>Gee! It was a scaly trick for a little girl, -he thought; and felt sick. Would the plank -bend too much? Slip? She was such a little -thing—if only she could be a truly fairy for a -minute!</p> - -<p>“Oh, God, walk with her!” he prayed silently -when he felt her weight first touch the board; -prayed as he never had before. It seemed as if -something strange and strong was going out of -him right to May Nell.</p> - -<p>Yet almost before the prayer was breathed -the child with incredible swiftness scudded -across the bending board and stood safe by his -side!</p> - -<p>He sprang up, caught her hand, and raced -with her down the rocky steep, calling wildly -to the men in the wagon as he ran. Bouncer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> -no longer watched, vented his pent-up excitement -in noisy yelps; and above the din -Billy heard loud angry words in a foreign tongue -that he knew were execrations, commands to -return.</p> - -<p>It seemed to him that his voice made no sound; -that May Nell never ran so slowly; that the -travellers would surely not hear him, not stop. -How could they hear in all the noise?</p> - -<p>Yet they had already stopped, turned, and -driven quickly to the house, hurried by the -frenzy in the boy’s tones.</p> - -<p>“Take her in,” Billy gasped. “They stole -her; they’re after—save her—hurry—” -He could say no more, but suddenly collapsed -and sank to the ground; and the last sight he -remembered was the dark Italian at the house -corner, talking fast, with one hand in a sling, -the other waving a knife threateningly.</p> - -<p>Yes, Billy had fainted for the first time in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> -life. The two men, heedless of the Italian, took -the boy up gently. One sat in the bed of the -wagon and held Billy as easily as possible, while -the other lifted May Nell to the seat, mounted -beside her, and drove rapidly back to town.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XVII<br /> - -<small>BILLY TO-DAY</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="drop-cap">THINGS happened very fast the next few -days. “Something doing every minute,” -Billy put it. Billy had neither been ill nor injured,—only -exhausted. The wound on his -scalp had been worse in appearance than in -fact; and a couple of long nights in sleep, and -easy days at home mended him completely.</p> - -<p>Was not May Nell safe? Almost recovered -from her fright and hours of imprisonment? -Was not the town ringing with her courage and -quaint sayings? For she had told her story -more than once; and when she came to the -place where she said, “And I thought, ‘God -can see me all the time; if He means for me to -suffer awfully I must have an awful lot of -courage; I must ask Him for it.’ So I did, and -I said ‘Now I lay me,’ and lay down on the bed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> -so I could hear God speak—you know you -can hear better lying down—and I waited—”</p> - -<p>When she came to this point all her listeners -looked for their handkerchiefs. And May Nell -stopped suddenly, smiled, and finished, “And -God heard me; and Billy rescued me.”</p> - -<p>May Nell was not taken to her father; he -came to her. Edith’s pictures of the little girl -fulfilled their mission; they met him as soon -as he landed from South America. He had -been a busy man during those few days; had -found not only his child but his wife, ill in a -country sanitarium; where, for weeks after -the earthquake and fire had, she supposed, -swallowed her little daughter, she lingered, -praying only to die. Now with husband and -child both saved to her, she was fast growing -well; needed only their presence to complete -her recovery.</p> - -<p>It was on the first of these busy days in San -Francisco that the big counterfeiter saw at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> -distance May Nell’s father; saw the child’s -pictures posted in the galleries, hurried back to -the “Ha’nt,” and planned the kidnapping as a -chance for “getting even” with Mr. Smith, who -had discharged him years before for dishonesty. -But Billy had thwarted him, brought him safely -to justice for all of his crimes.</p> - -<p>“I always knew that house had something to -do with me,” Billy declared to Mr. Smith. -“The kids call it a wicked house, but it’s only -the people living in it that’s wicked. It’s -a splendid old place; and when I’m a man and -have money enough, I’m going to buy it and -fix it up fine, and give it a fair chance.”</p> - -<p>Friday came; and May Nell delighted her -father with her part in the exercises. Billy -was very proud of her as she stood on the platform, -lovely in her white frock and her fair, -curling hair, reciting her “piece.”</p> - -<p>“She’s the swellest looking one in the whole -school,” he whispered to his smiling mother.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>“The prize is equally divided between James -Dorr and William Bennett,” the judges announced.</p> - -<p>And that night after school, when May Nell’s -little wardrobe was all packed,—not without -a slight baptism of Edith’s tears,—and waiting -for the morning train, Mr. Smith came in and -put a ceremonious looking document into -Billy’s hand.</p> - -<p>“The Sheriff tells me a thousand dollars will -be paid to your account as soon as the State -settles, Billy. Here’s something else for you.”</p> - -<p>Billy turned the bulky papers over and over -as if to gather some hint of their meaning from -fold and stiffness. “What is it, Mr. Smith?” -he asked wonderingly.</p> - -<p>“A deed to the stone house, the Ha’nt, May -Nell calls it. I was glad to know of something -you wanted; and I’ll furnish the money to -redeem the place to your idea of the beauty it -deserves. It is a splendid location. And Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> -Bennett,” he turned to Billy’s mother, “you -must let me see Billy through college.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no! It’s too much. We only did -what all—”</p> - -<p>“Too much?” he interrupted; “is anything -I have in this world too much to give for the life -of my wife and child? Didn’t your son save -them both? Save May Nell from—” He -turned away and did not attempt to finish his -sentence.</p> - -<p>May Nell ran and hugged Mrs. Bennett, and -Edith and Billy in turn, nestling afterward in -her father’s arms.</p> - -<p>“Surely Billy has earned it, Mrs. Bennett,” -Mr. Smith urged.</p> - -<p>“And I’m always going to be your little -girl, too,” the child pleaded; “so Billy must -be my papa’s little boy.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Bennett looked fondly at Billy, then -back to Mr. Smith. “Thank you,” she said -slowly, trying to gather courage for what she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> -was to say. “Billy must not be paid for doing -his duty. With the money he has earned from -the State I am sure we shall be able to help -him through a good schooling; for the rest my -husband’s son must win his own way.”</p> - -<p>Billy felt his head lift a little higher at his -mother’s words; felt a new standard of honor -and independence leap into being. The house -was too small for him. He ran out into the -summer evening, down the hill to the big rock -that overhangs Runa Creek. The stars were beginning -to shine, and he could hear the tinkle -of the water below. Bouncer rubbed against -him, and Billy hugged him to the peril of the -old dog’s breath.</p> - -<p>“They shan’t ever again call me Billy To-morrow. -It’s Billy To-day, Bouncer. It shall -always be <i>Billy To-day</i>!”</p> - - -<p class="center">THE END</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph2">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Billy To-morrow, by Sarah Pratt Carr - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BILLY TO-MORROW *** - -***** This file should be named 62288-h.htm or 62288-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/2/8/62288/ - -Produced by David Garcia, Larry B. 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