The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-03-29
ny AGNES 6. sRocAN

at the club noticed 1t. Games which
had heretofore been his delight now
failed to amuse. while friendly railiery
met with no response. As be strolled
down Fifth avenue lost in gloomy med
itation Billie was unaware of young
woman's presence at his side until she
gayly tapped him on the shoulder.
billie boy" asked the young woE-
an. whittier goest thou in such an alb
sent mood2' -
Billie glowered at her for moment
| without making a reply, then calmly
possessed himself OF her velvet clad
arm. Il want to talk to you. Belle"
lie said. -
The girl glanced at him in quick dis.
pleasure III you are going to bring
+, that old subject up again. Billie. she
cried petuIantly, ''let me tell you right
now IL will be useless"
Probably" the young man quietly
answered. Nevertheless shall trou.
Bile you once more. It Will be the last
time. Are you still determined In your
purpose. BELIEF"
She laughed softly. "Stlll deterrnin-
ed In my. purpose she repeated. ..of
marrying the wealthy Mr.. Nailor.'
Can nothing on earth change You
have you no hearty" 'Billie's voice rang
out passlonately.
mo hearth she lightly answered
How often have told you except for
money. Billiew
Then said the young man DELHI
erately. II have also reached de-
cision. Would you like to have me tell
you what that menns2s
There was tense earnestness in the
question which caused Bellies face to
flush with annoyance. This IS hardly
the place for a discussion" she an.
swered neFEously, unless you care to
shout above the traffic"
Billie Van looked straight before
him. Then his wandering gaze fell
upon white lowered building whose
cleaning balcony seemed as remote.
'ls distant from the crowded street as
the very clouds above. Impulsiyely
the young man raised his hand. LET
US go up there, Belle" he said. ut
will take but a moment, and we shall
be alone and undisturbed.r
The girl laughed mockingly. Are
you quite crazy. Billie?" she exclaimed.
His eyes, sought hers compellingly.
Almost roughly he drew her into the
great stone entrance. 1.-THE question
wish to ask must be answered now"
he said.
With strange feeling of apprehen-
sion the young woman watched the
tiny sinking light which heralded the
ascent, of the elevator. Thirty, for
ty"- she counted the stories absently
us the car dew up like bird. Then
Billie led her out to the parapet of the
balcony. @
Wen. Billie" she asked, 1.-THE decl.
sion?"
He turned abruptly. as one startled.
Grim lines dsepened about his boyish
/ mouth. so money alone spells happi,
ness for you. Belle?' She nodded curt.
~ And poor mans love counts for
nothing?
Nothing" she responded. and her
red lips closed firmly.
Billie Van laughed 1t was mirth
less laugh, which echoed eerily up in
the silent tower THIS. then, Is nv de.
ctSion." he said slowly, for your hap.
piness has been my one endeavor. I've
had nothing else to live for. 50 why
now worry longer:" He bent lower
over the parapet. II tell you once
more. Belle-l'm going to give up the
everlasting struggle. I've reilly moth.
ing TO lose. After all"-Billie's voice
tralIed or dreamlly-"it's only leap
III the dark" he murmured, "only n
leap in the dark"
His companion drew back against
the wall with sharp cry. You are n
coward. Billie Van" she said choking.
ly, trying to make me responsible for
this rash thing you would do. But /
am not commemorative you hear? have
no belief in your threat and I'm going
down" There was clicking sound
as the door closed behind her.
You are hypocrite. old girl" BIZ.
lie muttered. turing us on with false
hopes. but I've done with your eternal
promise. No more for me-" Sadness
settled in his brooding eyes. Billie
removed his hat and tossed it to the
floor. while the cool breeze famed his
forehead.
Il guess Belle was right" he told
himself. u am coward-just u COW.
ardr
Billie Van never knew quite what
happened next. He became suddenly
aware Of pair OF tight EMBEDDING
arms. and as he glanced down at his
own encircled breadth RHlie's nston
lshed g,ize fell upon two small beruf.
He'd hands locked closely on his breast
PLEASED" cried the girl breathlessly.
"oh. pIeasel'' and could say no more:
but. though the vibrant voice broke
helrlessly. the young. strong arms still
held him IN nm almost vlcellke grasp
''You must not du it." the trembling
voice went on. and the girl empha.
sized her command With little angry
shdke. you have quite lost your
1