Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-07-08

the slightest trace OF the timid ity that
had given him the title Of Bashful Bill
liz among his college mates. !. 4 !. i..,4 III
Il The girl caught her breath, but an
swered demurely, IT read all manu-
scripts that are sent to me-"
Eyes, I know, but these will not be
offered for publication, and want
something more than a 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 standst1ll, and Miss
Murdoch hurried away. Still, Billy
felt that he had made good proQreaa
for a bashful man.
Late that afternoon Bob came hurrv-
ing Into his Office with apologies and
protestations of regret
II had no chance to send line to
either you or Grace" he said. and
somehow, old fellow, you've made a
good impression on her. She really
wants to meet you"
'Never mind, Bob," answered Ste
venson kindly. II leave tomorrow for
Z three months trip abroad. It will
do Just as well when I return"
"Oh, better, much BETTER" returned
Bob in relieved tone. "She would
forget all about you In that time.
When you come back, I'll give you an
Introduction and Recommendation be-
Gides.''
You might put In the recommends
tons while I'm gone" pok1ng his head
Into closet, pretending to look for
something, land 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, "and IL you weren't so
confoundedly bashful you'd say it for
YOURSELF
Billy had 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 lauxh-
ed and cried hv turns al the writer
touched upon the varying phases of life
seen from the viewpoint OF a keen
understanding and a quick sympathy
WITH humanity.
Her brief replies were not encourag-
ing, but Billy's bashfuhess was ex-
ceeded by his tenacty, and foothold
once gained he kept. he was In Ber-
lin when he received note that elec-
trifed him. my vacation begins just
as yours draws to close. l leave Bos-
ton on the Commonwealth. We will
likely pass each other in m1docean"
Indeed we WON'T" exclaimed Billy
II hereby vote myself an extef1Aon Of
time. TIL cable to the firm, ana 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 1t, Grace" he whis-
pered. Il love you, you know"
For a 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 tho sen
tence.
Billy cabled the news Of his engage
ment to Bob Tennessee, who spent
days in fru1tless conjecture.
II give it up," he said finally, but
for unparalleled nerve Billy the Bash
full may go up head"