The St. Mary banner., 1909-05-22
BILLY'S TRIUMPH.

By Aldney Street.

limited score for the airing of theories.
Also, Alwyn was poor. and Billy was
one of the lucky rich, or rather, Billy
was rich and Alwyn was one CT his
lucky poor friends
William" said Alwyn as they walk
ed away from the Kitcats' house that
afternoon, "I-er-must tell you some
thing. I'm very fond of that little girl,
and, what's more, am almost certain
that she is fond of me, too. You see,
l know women so well, and can enter
into and appreciate their ideas and
ambitions so WELL" Alwyn's appre-
citation, as a rule, consisted in airing
his own-"And, old fellow, congratulate
me, for I'm going to propose at the
dance tonight, and you shall be the
to wish us luck. She's not rich, but
she has some money and nice little
place in the country, where you shall
come and shoot the brides, my boy"
Poor Billy's face grew as white as a
sheet as somewhat roughly he pulled
his enthusiastic companion out of the
way Of passing hanson, but he set
his teeth grimly and was silent, which
however, did not affect his friend, who
chartered graciously about his growing
prospects Of matrimonial bliss until
they reached the door of Darrell's
club, when Billy turned to his friend
and said In shaky voice, "Lo-look
here. Alwyn, you are an old ppal OF
mine, and I, I-er-wish you the be-
best Of everything. M-make her happy,
old chap. thth-that's all. No-don't
trouble to come in. I've letters to
write" and he darted into the lighted
doorway. Alwyn stared after him.
well. what the! How queer he
looks; can it be possible he cares for
Dolly himself?" he said with a laugh,
and with a laugh dismissed the possi-
bility. Good old Bill! wonder
whether he'll rise a monkey just to
help me over the arrangements" he
said to himself as he turned up his
coat collar and sauntered home to his
tiny rooms in Bury street.
The jingle jingle of the bells On
Alwyn's hanson speeding swiftly to
Mrs. Scott-Bowler's magnificent house
in Curzon street sounded to his infat-
uated ears as distant wedding bells.
Yes, he ruminated, he had decidedly
chosen well. Miss Kitcat understood
him and his aims and his ambitions so
well-which was not far from the truth
and on their-he meant Dolly's-in-
come life would be free OF the gross
mundane cares which at present hamp-
cred the free expression Of his genius
OF course, the wedding would be ex-
pensive. but Billy! he would dedicate
his first book to him. and with that
magnanimous idea his hansom drew
up with a clatter in front Of a house
which radiated light and dance and
song" for the benefit Of les bouches in-
utiles. who according to custom lined
the red carpet from the doorway to
the curb.
In the hall he met Billy, his usually
jolly face looking quite careworn ami
thin.
Bravo, William" said the facetious
Alwyn; come to be in at the kill, eh?
Has-er-Dolly H arrived YETI"
L do-don't know" said Billy mourn
fully. II haven't be-been up yet. The
Bowler woman st-starts De-beaming
when any one gets on the first step and
c-can't be-beam myself up a long
flight Of stairs. l sh-shouldn't have
a ti-titter left at the t-top if d-did."
Never mind, old man." said Alwyn,
cheerfully, taking his arm, well face
it together"
Mrs. Scott-Bowler swelled with salts
faction. Scott-Bowler's patent dye had
justified its existance and had at last
transplanted its owners from footing
to Mayfair where they blossomed out
eorgeously with hyphenated name
and huge coat Of arms Oh, that coat
OF arms. It was ubiquitous, Visitors
rested their weary heads on it embroid-
cred on the pillows and came down
next morning with its crimson imprint
on their cheeks. 1t stared from the
walls. hurt you when you sat down on
a chair. and gazed vacantly at the CELL
ing from the middle Of the hall car
pet, but Mrs. Scott was satisfied. This
was her first big dance, and the guam
tity Of the quality exceeded her widest
expectations
Alwyn and Billy, after emerging from
the over-powering effect of their hos