The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-30
BILLY ADMITS THERE IS
AN element OF LUCK
BY LESLIE. w. OUiRK.

NOW, as any gray -nalreu pnlio-
sopher who lives and loves by rule
of-thumb 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 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 he
found time to propose to Helen
/ ThuTlow. The oversight carried its
sting. Any girl finds pleasure in lis
tening 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 dimpling-
| ly 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"
All. fate" interrupted Billy, is
quite another thing. If it is ordained
that thing is to be, some power
| works for that end But the act.
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" pouted two pretty lips,
please 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
tuck, and proposed again.
II don't know what to answer"
said Helen, looking a little startled,
as If this were the first time. 81 am
not sure l 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, I am willing to leave my answer
toto luck"
This was striking in a wholly un.
! fair and poignant manner
Please explain"
Well" said Helen, tonight
shall go to my desk and write you
two notes. One will be an acceptance
OF your proposal and one a rejection.
l shall inclose both in similar en-
velopes, with nothing to Indicate
which is which Then l shall shuttle
! them fairly-oh, quite fairly, Billy,
that no telepathy of mine shall in.
terfere with that which is to be-and
one l 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 to trifle with in this fashion;
] won't allow it."
But, Billy, some power will work
! for the proper end that has been or.
dained. You have just said so your
self. You know. Billy, there is no
such thing as luck. Now, not a word
Here's your hat Tomorrow morn.
ing, when your mail comes, you will
find my note. Goodbye and"-she
could not resist the final boon of the
last taunt-"good luck"
For a man who had not been &C
cepted-yet-the hour of Billy's call
! the next morning 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 it to, that the curious world
outside might not share in his happi.
ness, he took her in his arms without
word. For a long minute neither
of them spoke. Then Billy lifted the
girls face to his.
IT'S yes" he declared, not as a
| question, but as the repeating of a
set form
IT'S fate, Billy" whispered the girl
Her whole face was wreathed in 3
smile of contentment.
After they had talked Of many other
things, the girl said abruptly:
q think, Billy, I must have been
mad yesterday to leave the decision
to luck-that is, fate. After you had
gone, and l had written the notes, |
began TO grow afraid. But l was
stubborn enough not to give up the
silly plan, and I burned one and
mailed the other. Then, Billy, / be-
gan TO wonder what you would think
of me, and whether you mightn't stop
loving me altogether; and I lay on
the bed and cried myself to sleep.
you'll forgive me, won't you,
Billy"
Forgive you! 1t was my fault,
Helen. | suspect I've been a babbling
fool with my theories. | am the one
who was to blame, because l goaded
you into making the test to open my
eyes. well, grille, after this l am
going to admit there is an element
of luck in what We do. Shall we for
get the whole wretched business?"
But she seemed not to have heard
him.
81 was jesting, Billy; you know
that. After I had mailed the note to
you, I thought Of the horrible posi-
bility of your taking 1t seriously, OF
your considering it as my final an
swer"
You mean you were afraid you