The City of Fire - Page 98/221

Billy, with that fine inner sense that some boys have, perceived that

there was deep emotion of a silent sort between the minister and Mark,

and he drifted away from them unnoticed, back toward the car.

"Billy!" whispered Lynn, rising from the upper step in the shadow of

the church.

The boy turned with a quick silent stride and was beside her: "I couldn't help it, Miss Lynn, I really couldn't--There was something

very important--Cart--That is--Cart needed me! I knew you'd

understand."

"Yes, Billy, I understand. Somehow I knew you were with Mark. It's good

to have a friend like you, Billy!" She smiled wanly.

Billy looked up half proud, half ashamed: "It's nothin'!" said Billy, "I just had to. Cart--well, I had to."

"I know, Billy--Mark needed you. And Billy,--if there's any trouble--

any--any--that is if Mark ever needs you, you'll stick by him I know?"

"Sure!" said Billy looking up with a sudden searching glance, "Sure,

I'll stick by him!"

"And if there's anything--anything that ought to be done--why--I mean

anything we could do--Billy,--you'll let us know?"

"Sure, I will!" There was utmost comprehension in the firm young voice.

Billy kicked his heel softly into the grass by the walk, looking down

embarrassedly. He half started on toward the car and then turning back

he said suddenly, "Why doncha go see Cherry, Miss Lynn?"

"Cherry?" she said startled, her face growing white in the darkness.

The boy nodded, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets and regarding

her with sudden boldness. He opened his lips as if he would speak

further, then thought better of it and closed them again firmly,

dropping his eyes as if he were done with the topic. There was a bit of

silence, then Lynn said gravely: "Perhaps I will," and "Thank you, Billy."

Billy felt as though the balm of Gilead had suddenly been poured over

his tired heart.

"G'night!" he murmured, feeling that he had put his troubles into

capable hands that would care for them, as he would himself.

There had been no word spoken between the minister and Mark as they

went together toward the parsonage, but there had seemed to each to be

a great clearing of the clouds between them, and a tender love

springing anew, with warm understanding and sympathy. Mark felt himself

a boy again, with the minister's arm across his shoulder, and a strong

yearning to confide in this understanding friend, swept over him. If

there had been a quiet place with no one about just then there is no

telling what might have happened to change the story from that point

on, but their silent intercourse was rudely interrupted by the voice of

Laurie Shafton breaking in: "Oh, I say, Mr. Severn, who did you say that man was that could fix

cars? I'd like to call him up and see if he doesn't happen to have some

bearings now. He surely must have returned by this time hasn't he? I'd

like to take these girls a spin. The moon is perfectly gorgeous. We

could go in the lady's car, only it is smaller and I thought I'd ask

your daughter to go along."