Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-09-05
FATE AND BILLY
BY ANNA L. SMITH.
copyright. 1872 Mcclure Newspaper ayu
dicate)

per ana. 1000 miles from home, Incl
"ci''S heretofore considered unworthy
vi at'ehtion were read with absorbing.
interest. France, with its thousands
or hShtins comrades, its continued OK
ci'ement and impending danger was Il
lonely place, lOnelier than Bridyeburp
had ever been.
seeming to stand out among the
personalities" was familiar name.
MISS Elizabeth Brown" so the column
announced. "was spending the summer
with her aunt"
Eit%abeth Brown" Billy wrnkled
his brow perpleXcdly. then memory
came TO him. This was "Betry Brown"
OF course, black-cyed. jolly Betty. his
companion of past Vacations Betty
mad come out from the city. then, to
spend her summer with her aunt.
10 Billy. somewhere in France"
came vision of the town of his child
mood the white house with its flowers
ana vines, where saucy Betty had held
sway.
what sort Of young person had
Miss Elizabeth Brown become? he
wondered. With the requirement of
her first long skirt, her visits to
BridSeburg had ceased. Following a
sudden impulse. Billy drew a card to-
ward him. He would surprise her with
message from overseas
do you recall" he hastily wrote
"a youthful admirer, Billy West? Used
to devote himself to you when you
stopped in Bridgeburg7 Well, this Is
from Bill. I'm fighting for Uncle Sam
now. and fairy has whispered your
name to me over In France. Won't
you send line?"
When the card was dispatched, Billy
wondered at his own temerity
"Oh, well, no harm done; she need
not answer" But she did.
what do you knOw!" he murmured
to himself, and perused the letter.
Miss Brown honestly confessed that
she couldn't recall exactly the identity
of Bill West. But If he was the good
natured boy Handsome, slyly inserted
Miss Brown), who used to let her
tyranniZe over him when she visited
at Aunt Lucy'S, she'd be glad now to
make amends by adopting him in Il
certain way. as her soldier. forwarding
to him little things which might add
to his comfort, and also be generally
| useful.
"Of course" added Miss Elizabeth,
"he must not consider her fOolishly
romantic person or anything like that,
| for she was merely trying to help. in
spirit Of pure patriotism. And if Mr..
| West knew of any other lonely soldier,
her assistance could also be extended
! to him."
Billy did not know of any. He
| FASTENED to tell her So
Throughout his long hOmeward jour
ney Billy thought of the girl who had
written him letters Of inspiration and
courage. "What kind little soul she
was!" Then Billy paused in his pleas
ant meditations.
Little? How did he know? She
might be tall; neither had Betty been
prepossessing in her appearance. His
boyish respect, Billy realized, had been
won by her sheer domination. He had
fallen in love; yes. there was no doubt
| Of It, with Elizabeth Brown, on paper.
| And she?
She had confessed that romance
| dwelt not in her; she had been unable
honestly to recall his identity. Billy
sighed. "He would personally thank
his benefactress for her letters; then
perhaps that would be the end" His
| own sister added to the quandary.
"Elizabeth Brown, who used to live
next door," She answered his ques-
ton. "Why. she was married last
week. They showed me the invita-
| tiOns!''
White-faccd and more shaken in dis
appointment than he would have
thought possible. Billy. the soldier,
| passed down the Bridgeburg street,
then on to his boyish haunt near the
! stream.
a girl sat on the messy bank. She
was engaged iR knitting. but she raised
her blue eyes ut BilIy's approach.
| gravely regarding him; then she
smiled
81 see YOU have followed me-" said
the girl 81 came away from home be-
| fore you should call. in order to save
you embarrassment. Last night only
realized your mistake. When your re-
turn was mentioned aunt referred to
yo,n. boylsh devotion to my cousin
Elizabeth. who has recently married"
She laughed. "PrObably my own Wis.,
It's escaped your notice. Mr.. West. I
was much Of child at that time. And
So" Elizabeth Brown rose to go. 1--WE
will consider the matter dismissed"
BILLY looked into the lovely face be-
fore him. 1t was Of such n face he
had dreamed. led on through nights Of
terrifying darkness; such face which
had smiled promise through the light
l.fl III hnn tnl u