The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-06-23
morrow, and I want permission to

morrow, and I want permission to
write to you"
He took the plunge like a hero-not
the slightest trace of the timidity that
had given him the title of Bashful Bill
ly among his college mates
The girl caught her breath, but an
swered demurely, II read all manu-
scripts that are sent to me-
Eyes, know, but these will not be
offered for publication and I want
something more than printed slip in
reply
And Bob calls this man bashful,"
thought the girl, but she only said II
will consider the matter"
There was time for little else. The
train came to standstill, and Miss
Murdoch hurried away. Still, Billy
felt that he had made good progress
for bashful man.
Late that afternoon Bob came hurry
ing into his office with apologies and
protestations Of regret
81 had no chance to send a line to
either you or Grace" he said, "and
| SOhCAOW, OlU ICllOW, YOU We ulduc Il
good impression on her. She really
wants to meet you
"Never mind, Bob" answered Ste
venson kindly. 81 leave tomorrow for
three months trip abroad. 1t will
| do just as well when return
"Oh, better, much better" returned
Bob in relieved tone. 'She would
| fArUnt oil ohn11f IN tLo+
When you come back, I'll give you. an
introduction and recommendation be-
Sides"
"You might put in the recommends
tons while I'm gone,' poking his head
into closet, pretending to look for
something, land l say, Bob, make em
strong. Tell all the good you know;
the bad keep to yourself
mo one could say anything but good
of you, Billy" said Bob, with wonder
ing earnestness, land if you weren't so
confoundedly bashful you'd say it for
yourself"
Billy had a very positive conviction
that Miss Murdoch would not mention
the circumstance of the morning to
Bob, and subsequent events proved the
conviction well founded
From London and Edinburgh, from
Paris and Berlin, came long, bright
letters over which Miss Murdoch laugh
ed and cried by turns as the writer
touched upon the varying phases of life
seen from the viewpoint of keen
understanding and a quick sympathy
with humanity.
| Her brief replies were not encourag-
ing, but Billy's bashfulness was ex-
ceeded by his tenacity, and a foothold
once gained he kept. He was in Ber-
lin when he received a note that cleo
trified him. "My vacation begins just
as yours draws to a close / leave Bos-
ton on the Commonwealth. We will
likely pass each other in midocean."
Indeed we won't" exclaimed Billy
81 hereby vote myself an extension Of
time. I'll cable to the firm. and when
the Commonwealth reaches Liverpool
Billy will be on the dock"
| And he was.
| She saw him, towering above the
crowd, and waved her hand
He had no intention of doing any
thing so precipitate. but when he saw
the earnest face turned so joyfully |
toward him something sprang up in |
his heart and jumped into his throat, |
and, making hurried dash through the |
crowd, he caught her in his arms and |
kissed her
II couldn't help it, Grace" he whis- |
pered 81 love you, you know"
For q single second she faltered, |
aghast at the mans passionate utter
ance and at the publicity of her posi- |
ton. Then, womanlike, she rose to the |
occasion. "Have you carriage wait |
ing?" she asked calmly. LET us get |
out Of the crowd"
Seated in the carriage, she held him |
back from her with both hands press
ing against his breast and gazed long |
and earnestly into his eyes. He knew |
his cause was won and remained silent |
She dropped her hands into his and |
smiled tenderly, For bashful man,
Billy, you certainly are But he gave
her no opportunity to finish the SEN
tence
Billy cabled the news of his engage
ment to Bob Tennessee, who spent |
days in fruitless conjecture
II give it up he said finally, "but
for unparalleled nerve Billy the Bash
full NAV go I'D head"