Miss Billy's Decision

ane, my dear," announced Aunt Han

terested eyes from her own

y grateful to you for your offer to let her come right here for a month; but she says she's afraid yo

e doesn't ref

ly, as I can see. I've read the letter over twice, too. I'll let

y la

hy about coming, that's all. She'll stay all right, when we

four, Sou

et me see-that's the day of the

nce, yes! But I had forgo

eanwhile we'll make sure that the little blue room is all ready for her. I put in my white enamel work-basket yesterday, and that

, if you had anything to do with i

y la

help us out, Aunt Hannah. They'd probably suggest g

ised shocked h

! Mercy, what a

laughe

Mrs. Hartwell switched on the lights. Oh, Aunt Hannah, I wish you

saw William's face that morning he came

Cyril-who would ever have believed that the day would come when Cyril would say to me, as he did

omes to-morrow

, but isn't-his tunes would never be mistaken for ragtime. By the way," she added, as she rose from the table, "that's another surprise in store for Hugh Calderwell. He always declared that Cyril wasn't a

iss Neilson. Mr. Bertr

ios rippled through the rooms and up the stairs to Aunt Hannah, who knew, by the very sound of them, that some unusual nervou

ve you forgotten what time it is?

id not turn her head. Her fingers busied

ing, Aunt Han

ram c

an

morning on a new portrait, and she said he might stay to luncheon and keep ri

Aunt Hannah st

going to be a very wonderful portrait; and, of course, I wouldn't want to interfere with-his wor

. Her eyes were troubled. Not since Billy's

herself be kissed-once-but who did not kiss back; a blithe, elusive Billy, who played tripping little melodies, and san

did the p

the room, and took Billy

nearly wild between wanting to be with you, and wanting to go on with my work. And I was just at that point where one little word from you, one hint that you wanted me t

Bertram promptly took advantage of his opportunity. "And so I stayed, Billy, and I did good work; I know I did good work. Why, Billy,"-Bertram stepped back n

eks were flushed. His whole countenance was aflame with the soul of the artist who see

oud of you!" she breathed. "Come,