The Princeton union., 1922-05-11
the ELUSIVE GIRL
BY MILDRED White


Billy was in a state of detection. 1t
seemed that life was not worth living.
After following q girl around for
months in hopeful longing, he had
picked up the evening paper, only to
find 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.
He had come upon this girl one
heaven-sent afternoon at a garden
party and as he approached delighted
ly, 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 a 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-
yentional approach.
Billy was in love, deeply, desperate
ly. 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 at
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 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 feeting sight, as her blue
eyes met his from a passing automo-
bile, Billy had the shock Of his life
In reading Of the approaching mar
riage of-"Miss Betty Fuller Blair, u
it designated, beneath 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-Bil
caught himself up with a mirthles:
laugh. How futilely he had called he1
that in thought. He got out his boat
and flung down the lake; Berry Island
that mysterious haunt of boyhood days
lOomed a black shadow in the moon
light. He decided to stop in the dar]
isolation, which suited his mood, AM
resign himself to a desOlated, fortune
less future-for tomorrow would b
his twenty-eighth birthday and Aun
Bolliver's money would go to an in
stitution.
Billy had smoked gloomily for som
time, when he was startled by SCUM
near by, and peering out unbelievin
from the shadows, he beheld a girls
figure in the act Of bringing a row
boat to shore. -
Billy caught his breath.
"As I live" he choked, that darne
grill"
Miss Betty Fuller tBlair came to a
abrupt stop before the red point c
his cigar.
$780," she said, in low hurried ton
"tbey sent you to follow me. Well, T.
tell you, whoever you are, that I wi
not 60 back"
With quick decisive movement tn
girl spread a blanket on the grass
bank of Berry Island, and proceede
to stretch herself on it.
"You had better go back, M
Shadower," she said, II am here fl
the night. Tomorrow morning, whe
that wedding fuss has blown over,
may return to face the music"
Abruptly she sat up.
"Who are you?" she asked in SUI
den apprehension.
Billy came slowly into the light.
"You!' cried the girl and then aga
wonderlngly, joyously-
"You?'
The happy relief in her voice we
straight to Bills aching heart.
Eyes, it's me-" he replied. II sa
your picture in the paper tonight al
came out here to try to forget abO
the wedding. Rather, hoped to fig
down my love for you. And just VIII
] am trying-you come. You usual
do come, only to vanish. But why, tt
place, tonight"
1T was the one place could thil
of where they might not trace M
Betty Blair explained. II have r
away from my wedding. I shou
have run away long ago. But I e
suddenly hemmed in; trapped son
way, with printed invitations sent Q
and all. Mother made the match, a
I was too cowardly to object at fir
There really did not seem one sensit
reason why I should object. Tonig
the reason came to me. I do not 10
Judge Weldon"
Tensely Billy leaned forward. T
girl regarded his white eager face.
II discovered" she said calmly, "tf
love you"
It was after a long blissful silen
that Billy spoke.
"wa will claim Aunt BOlliyerS