The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-09-07
TIE EVENING STORY
Luck.
Luck.
(By Leslie w. Quirk.)

Now as any gray haired phlloSopneL
who lives and loves by rule-of-thumE
will admit, there really is no such thing
as luck. Perhaps there isn't. But Billy
Winslow was not old enough to be
gray haired, and he did not live nor
| love by rule-of-thumb Hence his con-
| slant observations IN the subject were
| tiresome.
Today his dissertation on luck had
been particularly positive and prolong-
ed. So long had he denied the posi-
bility of chance, indeed, that not once
III the whole afternoon had he found
time to propose to Helen Thurlow. the
oversight carried it's sting. Any girl
finds pleasure in listening to a pro
posal, even when, as in this case, the
man proposes some two or three times
q day on an average, only to be
politely but dimplingly rejected. Down
in her heart Helen Thurlow loved Billy
Winslow, and meant in the fullness 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, is
quite another thing. If it is ordained
that a thing is to be, some power
works for that end. But the acts
while it may seem the veriest dip of
luck, is really nothing of the kind.
Now, if we go back into the history
Of the ancients-
please pOU(eQ Two pretty AAPSs
"oIease let's keep to the present. Now,
Billy. what were you about to say?
And Billy, being neither gray haired
nor guided by rule-of-thumb in his
loving, forgot ancients and luck, and
proposed again.
IL don't know what to answer,
said Helen, looking a little startled;
as if this were the first time Il am
not sure I love you enough to marry
you. But Billy"-and her face light
ed roguishly-'if you are certain that
we are merely the playthings of fate
1 am willing to leave my answer to-
to luck"
This was striking in wholly unfair
and poignant manner. Billy Winslow
had the grace to flush.
please explain.
WELL said Helen, tonight I shall
go to my dek anw write you two
notes. One will be an acceptance Of
your proposal and one a rejection
shall inclose both in similar envelopes,
with nothing to indicate which is which. |
Then 1 shall shuttle them fairly-oll.
quite fairly. Billy, that no testimony of
mine shall interfere with that which is
to be-and one shall stamp and mail
to you, and one L shall toss into the
fireplace, without opening to know !
which has gone to you, and
Helen! You're insane! You'll do
nothing of the kind! Love is too sacred |
allow it,
But, Billy. some power will work for
the proper end that has been ordained. |
You know. Billy, there is no such thing, |
as luck. Now, not a word. Here's your
hat. Tomorrow morning. when your
mail comes, you will find my note
Good-by and''-she could not resist the
final boon of the last taunt-"good |
luckr'
For man who had not been accepted
-yet-the hour of Billy call the next |
was little short of scandalous
But early as he was. Helen was waiting |
for him. She met him at the door, and |
after he had swung 1t to, that the curl
Gus world outside might not share in I
hi. happiness, he took her in his arms |
without a word. For a long minute
neither of them spoke. Then Billy lifted |
the girls face to his.
It's yes he declared, not as ques-
ton, but as the repeating of set form
It's fate, Billy whispered the girl.
Her whole face was wreathed in a
smile of contentment.
After they had talked of many other
things, the girl said abruptly:
Il think, Billy, 1 must have been mad |
yesterday to leave the decision to luck
that is, fate. After you had gone,
and I had written the notes, began to
grow afraid. But I was stubborn
enough not to give up the silly plan,
and burned one and mailed the other.
Then, Billy, begin to wonder what you
would think of me, and whether you
nfghtn't stop loving me altogether; and
[ lay on the bed and cry myself TO
sleep you'll forgive me, won't you,
Billy?''
''Forgice youi It is nv fault ,
Helen. suspect I've been a babbling
,ool with my theories. I am the one
who was to blame, because I goaded you
nto making the test to open my eyes. L
we'll, grille, after this I am going to ad-
4e oil .,(I 1roy-
We do Shall we forget the whole wretch
I'd business?''
But she seemed not to have heard him.
IT was testing, Billy; you know that | ,
After I had mailed the note to you,
thought of the horrible possibility of your
aking it seriously of your considering
t as my final answer"
You mean you were afraid you had
sent the wrong note"
Il was testing, I tell you. But, Billy,
was afraid you mightn't understand. I
vas knocking you for your belief in fate.
Billy, I hardly dare confess 1t now for
'ear you won't want me, but wrote both
7our proposal III both. I wanted to see IL
couldn't shake your belief in luck. And,
Billy. I've been up for hours praying that
you would come. When you did, and
when you were brave enough to pretend
7ou had received my acceptance, I loved
7ou as never had before for your big
IT think" said Billy WinsIow, soothing
V, holding her close. that 1 am the
uckiest man on earth-"-(Copyright
912, by Associated Literary Press.)
:
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