The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-04-20

Il have been anxious" she told hei
niece. Il feared an accident bad hap
pened" Then she looked inquiringl.
at her niece's companion.
With sudden inspiration Billie Van
spoke. Your niece has been kind
enough TO concern herself In my he
half" he said; Ito give me help In a
moment of need. Therefore. may | be
allowed to offer my card?"
The little old lady examined the caro-.
peerng over her spectacles with per
picked frown.
And | understand" Billie went or
boldly. that your niece is teacher
of music May be permitted to be
come-a pupil?"
I'VE shall be very glad. am sure.
she replied, subdued eagerness in her
tone. "Mollie. my dear. arrange with
the gentleman for lessons" But the
blue eyed girl. whose name was Mollie.
glanced her surprise and disapproval.
II have only been taking young pu-
oils, aunt" she said. land would not
feel capable Of teaching an-adult-"
Very sorry" Billie answered resign
eddy. II had hoped that this new
study might prove a diversion from
thoughts which harass and trouble
ooh. If that is your reason the
girl said in quick conjunction.
1T is" Billie earnestly assured her.
So the matter was settled.
1t was shabby and small apartment
where Billie Van entered upon course
of musical study. and so dull a pupil
| did he prove that his young teacher
might have been discouraged in her ef-'
| forts had it not been for a noble de.
| termina ton to keep this young man
| distracted from his reckless purpose
They grew to speak Of him at the
| club as the dear departed" Indeed.
the young man lived only in that one
| enchanted hour when, seated before
| the piano, be watched Mollie's slender
fingers as they pressed the yellowed
keys. And as Billie watched he was
always remembering high tower at
twilight. small hands clasped close
| upon his breast But when Billie would
have referred to that thrilling moment,
when his heart would have cried out to
| the girl in new found love and longing.
Mollie would silence him with look.
| Aunt" said Mollie one day, answer
me very seriously. Ought girl to
marry a man who had almost been gull
ty of suicide? Could girl love man
who had known that morbid desireT
"Mollie." Aunt Belinda exclaimed
Mortified, what put such a dreadful
thought into your head? Of course
she could not, dear. Marriage with so
sinful a man would be-impossible."
Mollie sprang to her feet with a cry.
IT hate New York." she said. Il hate the
people. Let us go back to the country,
aunt, where we may be at peace"
Then. turning, Mollie saw Billie Van
standing in the doorway.
81 knocked" said Billie, "but you
did not hear May come inr'
CHANGING at the two troubled faces.
Aunt Belinda quietly withdrew.
IT heard what you said" Billie went
on. 81 could not help it, Mollie, and
and I've been a cur all along: that's
true. But one risks much for love"
Billie's voice broke. "Oh, my dear, my
DEAR" ne said tenderly, II have loved
you-loved you so from the moment
looked into your eyes,"
Mollie caught her breath. Il love
you, Billie" she said bravely. 1T
seemed to be inevitable. But there II
no use or hope In our love, for there
are things which never can be explain
ed away"
.sThere Il nothing which I cannot ex'
plain" Billie answered gently. III you
will give me this one chance" Silent
" she beckoned him to q seat at bel
side.
The girl In the tower that night,
Billie said slowly, was my sister
She was left In my charge, as was also
our small joint legacy. have tried
to do my duty to my orphaned sister
but Belle has been extravagant far be
yond our means. OF late her insatia
BILE desire for luxury would have lee
her into marriage with an old anG
wealthy man whose name I canno'
even mention with calmness. To keel
her from sorrow which only such {
marriage could bring desperately
decided to risk our little all In thu
hope Of satisfying her ambition PEG
pie have grown wealthy in a nigh
through fortunate investment This
told myself. There was poor younl
devil who loved my sister as a woman
deserves to be loved. so I sought t.
hold her for his sake. The Wal
street deal seemed very sure thing
though the problem had vexed me 70
days. That is why put it up to Bell
that night in the tower. And you re
member. Mollie, this was the leap In tn
dark to which l referred. This is tn
true meaning Of those foolish word
which moved your heart to save. Low
has conquered in Bellies case, as low
should always conquer. dear. And tn
sin ask you to forgive is only tn