Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-12-29
Finesse
BY JACK LAYTON

Billie's face was joyful as. coming
up the walk, he espied Patty on the
veranda. Patty was bundled in scar
let cape, for the autumn day was cold.
and scarlet leaf or two from the
porch vine decorated her uncovered
brown head
what is itT' she asked. anticipat-
ingly.
Billy sat down on the step at her
side.
TITS come at lastl" he said. I'm
in love"
Patty raised skepticai eyes; Patty
also smiled.
Don't be silly" she remarked.
but | am In love" Billy insisted.
There's no doubt about IT. l dream
Of her every night"
The girls twinkling eyes suddenly
sobered.
"But. Billy" she said. ''You have
never been serious in your life; how
can you expect me now TO believe"
Seriousness has always been
there" Billy replied. cheerfully
though apparently lying dormant.
The fact now is that love woman
and want desperately to win her for
my wife. And II thought that I
could do it-Gosh !" ended Billy. ex-
pressively. his features expressing the
forlornness of this possibility.
We'll" hummed Patty. airily, "why
don't you try7 Why don't you try?"
"Have tried" Billy gloomily respond
ed. Don't seem to make any impress
sion."
Patty studied her old friend appraIs-
ingly. II seemed strange to think of
Billy as friend; he was usually re-
ferred to as her "admirer."
Calmly Patty had accepted that I'm
plicafion; an admirer more or less
meant little to Patty. They stood "up
in rows" her young brother said. 40
be selected from" Billy had Just been
one of the row. But now. II appeared.
all BiIly's admiration was conferred up
on another girl and he was merely
friend.
ANY suggestions to make concern
ing the siege?" he asked you ought
TO know a girls heart pretty well.
Patty. How does one go about taking
II captive?"
Nice of you to ask my advice" she
drawled. sweetly. but II you don't
know your own girls heart. Billy, how
can be expected top
The ynupp rpop oraea Irte m ha5
lost its bright hopefulness.
swell. I'll he going" he said. slow
~. Anyway. thought you'd be In
teresfed TO know the truth"
He turned back abruptly.
wont you give me your hand and
wish me success?''
II was cold little hand that Billy
held. The next moment le went swing
ing down the path. patty's cheeks
were burning crimson ms her cane.
All at once II came to her that Billy
realized her own mistaken reading of
his past devotion and was sorry.
In all her gay young life the girl
had never known the strange desoIa-
ton of the present enveioning her like
the shadcws Billy had been name
70 coniure with-Billy always nearby
10 smile ~ oyer the shoulder NJ some
other swain; Billy to call when eve
nings We're long and one too weary to
entertain. One was always sure OF
understanding from Billy Billy. who
himself could amuse. never too weary
to read aloud or to sing. while she.
the selfish Patty, would sit doing near
the FIRE
Now-Billy was in love, and Billy
was going to be married Of course
no girl could he adamant enough to
refuse him. Then she Patty. must
lose him forever. The loss of Billy
would be an overwhelming thing. How
could she get along without him?
At this point Patty cried. The couch
cushions smothered her weeping. but
the PROSTATE little form was shaken.
Unsteadily, at last. the girl got to her
feet She must go upstairs 10 her room,
before the family came. Some one
was coming now. Hurrying blindly,
Patty collided with that some one-It
was Billy.
In businesslike manner Billy
turned on the lights. Determinedly
he cupped the girls trembling chin in
his hands and looked into her tear-wet
face. Then Billy's own face went
down to meet the other.
"Gloryl" he said softly, "you do
care, after all. Oh. Patty. my darling.
you have seemed so Indifferent. There
wasn't any way that could find out.
1 just had to know, so I gave you a
Jolt to surprise you out of yourself.
But. oh Patty"
That young lady leaned comfortably
back against the gray tweed shoulder.
well, you surprised me. all right,
Billy" she said