Miss Billy's Decision

, Billy came into the living-room to welcome the three Henshaw br

n bringing out the bronze lights in her dark eyes and in the soft waves of her beautiful hair. Her countenance, too, carr

her, "I wish I had a brush in my hand this minute. I'

heart she was conscious of a vague unrest. Billy wished, som

Cyril with out

o the quick shifting of Cyril's eyes to the hall

demanded William,

expect him to see that she doesn't bother us four too much, you know. He's expected always to remove her quietly but eff

. She dropped into a chair and ra

e choked, "or I shall die. I've

ou can

do you

s from Bertram, spoken softly, and w

d. By heroic effort she pulled her face in

ane is-

a-a

m

il

ne forms sat

as I did-only he had a brown beard, and he didn't have Spunk-and I had to telephone to prepare folks, just as you did. And the room-t

e you talking about?"

ane!" Cyril wa

s mean?" Bertram had

in, yet she was plainly

cted a girl, you know, to see him with his brown beard, and he was so tall and big! And, of course, it made me think how I came, and wa

," remonstrated Un

his name?" de

gn himself 'Mary Jan

ane' sometimes, and in the letter he quoted somebody's speech-I've forgotten just how-but in it he was called '

ite again?" a

es

orrect the mistake, th

chuc

guess. He thought it

scoffe

t going to live here-now?" Ber

ive here-now," interposed sm

!" breathed Bi

threatened embarrassed misery for all concerned; but Arkwright, with a ch

re, he hereby asks everybody's pardon for the annoyance his little joke has caused. He might add that he's heartily-ashamed of himself, as well; but if any of you-" Arkwright turned to the three tall men still standing by t

. William said "Of course, of course!" and shook hands again. Bertram and Cyril laughed shamefacedly and sat down. Somebody said: "But what

ch for wit and satire; and "Mr. Mary Jane," as he was promptly called b

somebody su

ning, he turned to a bookcase near him and beg

kled and gla

heerful impertinence; "stool, piano, o

g from Cyri

lightly puzzled, "Cyril never plays unless the piano and the pedals and

ook and walking back to his chair. "I don

nodded Be

Arkwright with

-sings," observed Billy,

with some nervousness. "That's what she-I mea

ody la

ly. "Can you-without your notes? I

t-Arkwright hesitated; then h

and arpeggios to test the touch of the piano; then, with a sweetness and purity that made every listener turn in

nnah, resting back in their chairs, were contentedly nodding their approval to each other. Marie in her corner was motionless with rapture. As to Billy-Billy was plainly oblivious

her, was conscious o

" he declared almost crossly. "

of a Girl,'" smiled the teno

music cabinet by the piano. "There's a little song of Nevin's I want you to sing. There, here

Billy still playing the accompaniment. Next followed a duet. Billy did not consider herself much of a singer, b

r-the music had sent little shivers down her spine. Cyril, with Marie, had slipped into the little reception-room across th

one-an irritation that was directed against himself, against Billy, and against this man, Arkwright; but chiefly against music, per se. He hated m

t once, after this, Arkwright made his very graceful adieus, and went off with his suit

to look at their plans, and Bertram found himself at last alone with Billy. He forgot, then, in the blissful hour

does it take-to

abstractedly; then, with sudden fervor: "Oh, B

had not asked the quest

,' indeed! What

t he sing b

aid Bertram's tongue. Bertram's mann