The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1922-04-20
THE ELUSIVE GIRL
BY MILDRED WHITE

NAeSA AOAONlnS girl around Tor
months in hopeful longing, he had
picked up the evening paper, only to
nnd her charming face portrayed on
the feature page, with an account Of
her wedding to take place that night.
Bill went down TO the lake where his
boat lay, and thought the thing over.
de mad come upon this girl one
heaven-sent afternoon at a garden
party and as he approached delighted
~, to sue for introduction, the girl
was switched off in an automobile.
His next meeting, by good fortune.
was in an ice cream shop, where the
haunting young person enjoyably
slipped soda. And though Billy i'm
mediately claimed the stool next TO
hers, and racked his brains for some
eXcuSable means of conversation, the
girls cold demeanor forbade uncon-
ventional approach.
Billy was in love, deeply, desperate
Iy. The latest proof of his distract
ing affection was the fact of Aunt
Bolliver's will. BY that will his de-
parted aunt beQueathed TO Billy her
entire estate, upon condition that he
be married, on his twenty eighth birth
day, when he was to fall heir. And as
his twenty-eighth birthday drew near,
Billy, naturally, considered marriage.
heretofore, the condition was not ut
all formidable. He knew many nice
girls, and had mentally sorted those
most pleasing down to three, any one
OF which he was comfortably certain
would make him a happily suitable
wife.
Marriage with any other was out of
the question. He had endeavored to
learn the girls name: But the hostess
of the garden party, honored by the
fair ones presence, grew perplexed
trying to solve Billie's problem.
There had been so many lovely
girls" she said.
Bill turned away disgustedly. To him
there had been but one. And to-
night, as he came whistling home In
exhultation over a recent sight of his
adored, a fleeing sight, as her blue
eyes met his from q passing automo-
bile, Billy had the shock of his life
In reading of the approaching mar
riage of-"Miss Betty Fuller Blair"
II designated, beneath a pictured face
which wistfully begged his pardon,
whose marriage to the Hon. James
Weldon takes place this evening"
Judge Weldon! Billy shuddered.
Young enough perhaps, wealthy Of
course and a favorite in high circles.
But Judge Weldon and his girl-Bin
caught himself up with a mirthless
laugh. How futilely he had called her
that in thought. He got out his boat,
and flung down the lake Berry Island,
that mysterious haunt of bOyhood days,
loomed black shadow in the moon
light. He decided to stop in the dark
isolation, which suited his mood, and
resign himself to a desolated, fortune
less future-for tomorrow would be
his twenty-eighth birthday and Aunt
Bolliver's money would go to an In
stitution.
Billy had smoked gloomily for some
time, when he was startled by a sound
near by, and peerlng out unbelieving
from the shadows, he beheld girlish
figure in the act of bringing a row.
boat to shore.
Billy caught his breath.
CAS- live" he choked, that darned
girl !"
Miss Betty Fuller Blair came to an
abrupt stop before the red point of
his cigar.
49," she said, in low hurried tone,
"they sent you to follow me- Well, I'll
tell you, whoever you are, that 1 will
not go back"
With quick decisive movement the
girl spread a blanket on the grassy
bank of Berry Island, and proceeded
to stretch herself on It.
you had better go back, Mr..
Shadower," she said, II am here for
the night. Tomorrow morning, when
that wedding fuss has blown over, /
may return to face the music"
Abruptly she sat up.
"Who are you?" she asked In sud-
den apprehension.
Billy came slowly into the light.
You! :" cried the girl and then again
wonderlngly joyously--
Your
The happy relief in her voice went
straight to Bits aching heart.
yes, it's me-" he replied. II saw
your picture in the paper tonight and
came out here to try to. forget about
the wedding. Rather, / hoped to fight
down my love for you. And just when
1 am trying-you come. You usually
do come, only to vanish. But why, this
place, tOnightW
1T was the one place could think
Of where they might not trace me-"
Betty Blair explained. II have run
away from my wedding. / should
have run away long ago But 1 got
suddenly hemmed in; trapped some
way, with printed invitations sent out
and all. Mother made the match, and
I was too cowardly to object at first.
There really did not seem one sensible
reason why I should object. Tonight
the reason came to me. 1 do not love
Judge Weldon"
Tensely Billy leaned forward. The
girl regarded his white eager face.
Il discovered" she said calmly, that
I love you"
It was after a long bllssful silence,
that Billy spoke.
1--WE will claim Aunt Bolliver's for
tune tomorrow, after we are married"
he said.
Betty Blair nodded