The Washington herald., 1914-07-20

1t. my young friend. You mustn't go
away like this; really you mustn't"
III II isn't any Of your business, sir
-" the young man began rather
shortly.
No, it isn't any Of, my business at
sn." said Billy cheerfuIly. but l in
tend TO make II my business, because
once / did this very same thing you are
doing. Why, ! uttered almost the pre-
else arguments. the same wUnis. YOU
have just uttered. and then ! went
away. l want to spare you what
have been through. / haven't been at
ell happy since"
The young man stared at him. They
were quite near the bench where III"
GirI sat Billy saw she was very young
and very pretty. also he liked the looks
of the man before him. II was one o.
those honest open faces you ike from
the first sight. and that you are sure
you make no mistake in liking.
Billy laid a hand on theoNOung mans
arm. Don't do it," said ne. IF she
says you must go alone. why &c alone
and make good and come back to her.
Don't be quite so free with your ulti-
matums: I am speaking from experience
1 know
on breathed the girl softly. She
was leaning forward on the bench. Her
eyes were shining. Billy suddenly
turned to her.
And my dear young lady" he asked
quietly, aren't you, too, making mis-
take? / have never seen this man be-
Sore this moment Yet / would trust
him. anywhere / think. Aren't you lay
ing up a dreadful lot Of unhappiness for
yourself and for him-needless Inhappi-
ness-by not marrying him as he asks
and going with him to this place where
he is to make good-wherever that place
happens to be-"
Her eyes dropped. She did not speak
at once Billy took a step toward her.
%Hou see." said he gently. L am so
sure Of my ground. Once I was in a
position very much like this young
mans. l have been very. very unhappy
ever since. hope she hasn't been as
unhappy as i have. But you see l laid
down my uItimatum and she wouldn't
accept II and was very proud. Really.
| can't bear to see you make the same
mistake. il can stop 1t. Hadn't you
better marry him.?
The girl lifted her eSes. She looked
long and sssrchingly at Billy AckrOyd.
Her little gloved hands clutched the edge
Of the bench.
1T is so far-this place where he's
going. and there are such chances that
on. that he mightn't make good said
she. still" the clear eyes were still
on Billy still. Miss Emily advised me
to marry him couldn't see why. she
is so conservative in her Ideas generally.
She said II / didn't l would be as un-
happy as she had been. l didn't know
just what she meant by that, for she
wouldn't explain"
Miss Emily" said Askroyd, stiffening
who is she?''
Il am her maid" said the girl.
Ackroyd came close to her. He leaned
down to her.
Miss Emily-what? What's her last
name?'' he asked eagerly.
Miss Emily Randall said she.
A card case stuffed with bills came out
Of Ackroyd's pocket. He laid it in the
girls lap.
Marry this man." said Ackroyd almost
sharply If he doesn't make good youll
fihd enough money in there to tide you
over any difficulty. and at least get you
back here Goodnight"
A half hour later Ackroyd was waiting
In the wide hall of a house uptown. Some
one came down the stairs.
Billy" said a trembling voice. You?
Why. you said
Never mind what said. I've come
back to marry you said he. And I've
also come to say you'n have to get a new
maid. have just induced yours to
marry John-whoever he is"
II didn't know you ever came back |
here" she said. What ever induced you !
to come up here tonight7'
We'll. I had to come here on bust |
ness, and tonight your maid and John |
and a bench in the little park in the
square. Does II really matter what
brought me?' he broke OF suddenly.
And then she was in his arms. Her
head was buried in his coat.
"Oh. Billy. what silly young idiots We
were" said she happily. TIM glad you
wouldn't let them be idiots like us"