Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-12-10
.s.s.ss stsbss~haskis! " * at Sfsatss
BILLY ADMITS lEiEHs IS
AN ELEMENT OF LUCK
ey LESLIE w. QUIRk.
Billy wlnslow did rct believe in

iOf-thumb Will adulI, tutle reilly 10
no such thing as luck. Perhaps there
isn't, But Billy Winslow was not old
enough to be gray-halred, and he did
not live nor love by rule-of-thun6.
Hence his constant observations on
The subject were tiresome.
Today his dissertation on luck had
been particularly positive and pro-
longed. So long had he denied the
possibility Of chance, indeed, that not
once in the whole afternoon had lie
found time to propose to Helen
Thurlow. The oversight carried its
sting. Any girl finds pleasure in lis
sening to a proposal even when, as
IN this case. the man proposes some
two or three times day on an aver
age. only to be politely but dimplins-
" rejected Down in her heart Helen
rhurlow loved Billy Winslow, and
meant in the fulluess Of time to say
yes.
"But don't you think, Billy" she
asked finally, that, sometimes luck,
Or chance, or fate"
"Ah, fate" interrupted Billy, 'fs
1uita another thing. II it is ordained
that a thing is to be, some power
works for that end. But the act,
while it may seem the reriest dip OF
luck, is really nothing of the kind.
Now, if we go back into the history
Of the ancients--"
Please" pouted two pretty lips,
please let's keep to the present.
Now, Billy, what were you about to
5ay?"
And Billy, being neither gray
haired nor guided by rule-of-thumb
n his loving, forgot ancieIts ard
uck, and proposed again.
"I-l don't know what to answer,
said Helen, looking q little startled
S il this were tie first time. 81 at
rot sure I love you enough to marry
iou. But, Billy"-and her face light
ID rogtlishly-"if you are certain
hat we are merely the playthings Of
ate, | am willing TO leave my answer
so-to luck"
This was striking in wholly ur'
air and poignant manner.
please explain"
Well" said Helen, tonight ]
hail go to my desk and write YOU
NO notes. One Will be an acceptanc
IF your proposal anS ore rejection
shall incloSo both in similar CT
:eloDes. with nothing to inGicat
which is which. Then I shall shuffIa
.hem fairly-oh. quite fairly, Billy.
hat no teleDathy of mine shall ir
crfere with that which is to bean
me shah stamp and mail to YOU
nd one I shall! toss into the fireplace
without opening 10 know which ha;
zone to you, and"
Helen! You're insane! You'll
lothing OF the kind. Love is tc:
acred to trifio with in this fashion
won't allow it,"
"But, Billy, some power will "c-
or the proper end that has been o
lained. You have just said so your
elf. You know, Billy, there is
UGH thing as luck. Now, not wore
Here's your hat Tomorrow morn
ng, when your mail comes, you vi
ind my note Goodbye and"-sh
:ould not resist the final boon Of tn
2st taunt-"good iUcki"
For man who had not been a.
:apted-yet-the hour Of Dilly's ca!
nc next morning Was little short
,candalous. But early as he wa
Ielen was waiting for him. She M
lin at the door, and after he ha
wing it to, that the curious wor!
utside might not share in his hapr
.ess, he tool; her in his arms withou
word. For long minute neithc'
{ them spoke Then Billy lifted tn
iris face to his.
TITS yes" he declared, not as ;
question, but rs the repeating of
ct form.
Its fate, Billy" whispered the cir.
Ter whole face was wreathed in
mile of contentment.
After they had talked of many otne
hings, the girl said abruptly:
81 think. Billy, I must have bee
mad yesterday to leave the dccisio
iucii-that is, fate. After you has
one, and / had written the notes,
logan to grow afraid. But l wa
tubborn enough not to give up tn
lilly plan. and I burned one an;
nailed the other Then, Billy, b
an to wonder what you would thin!
f me, and whether you mightn't sto
owing me altogether; and l lay o
he bed and cried myself TO siecr
you'll forgive ne, went yor
3illy?"
Forgive you! It was my fauI
felen. suspect I've been babblin
ool with my theories. l am the on
Tho was to blame, because | goado'
Gu into making the test to open IN
yes. I--well, giriie, after this / a.
,oing to admit there is an elemen
f luck in sxllat we do. Shall We Tor
-et the whole wretched bugincss?'
But she seemed not to have hear
i'm.
ur . s,et;,o piIf,r. ,-o,, I,pcv