miss billy-第28章

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had　done　for　her；　and　put　yourself　out。　　I　said　it　so　she'd
appreciate　things；　of　course；　but　she　took　it　quite　differently
from　what　I　had　intended　she　should　take　it；　and　seemed　quite　cut
up　about　it。　　Then　she　went　away　in　that　wily；　impulsive　fashion。〃

William　bit　his　lip；　but　he　did　not　speak。　　Kate　was　plunging　on
feverishly；　and　in　the　face　of　the　greater　revelation　he　let　the
lesser　one　drop。

〃And　so　that's　why　I　was　particularly　anxious　to　bring　things
around　right　again；〃　continued　Kate。　　〃And　that's　why　I　spoke。　　I
thought　I'd　seen　how　things　were；　and　on　the　drive　I　said　so。　　Then
is　when　I　advised　you　to　speak　to　Billy；　but　you　declared　that
Billy　wasn't　ready；　and　that　you　couldn't　make　a　girl　marry　against
her　will。　　NOW　don't　you　recollect　it？〃

A　great　light　of　understanding　broke　over　William's　face。　　He
started　to　speak；　but　something　evidently　stayed　the　words　on　his
lips。　　With　controlled　deliberation　he　turned　and　sat　down。　　Then
he　said：

〃Kate；　will　you　kindly　tell　me　just　what　you　DID　do？〃

〃Why；　I　didn't　do　so　very　much。　　I　just　tried　to　help；　that's　all。
After　I　talked　with　you；　and　advised　you　to　ask　Billy　right　away　to
marry　you；　I　went　to　her。　　I　thought　she　cared　for　you　already；
anyway；　but　I　just　wanted　to　tell　her　how　very　much　it　was　to　you；
and　so　sort　of　pave　the　way。　　And　now　comes　the　part　that　I　started
to　tell　you　a　little　while　ago　when　you　caught　me　up　so　sharply。　　I
was　going　to　say　that　when　I　told　Billy　this；　she　appeared　to　be
surprised；　and　almost　frightened。　　You　see；　she　hadn't　known　you
cared　for　her；　after　all；　and　so　I　had　a　chance　to　help　and　make　it
plain　to　her　how　you　did　love　her；　so　that　when　you　spoke　everything
would　be　all　right。　　There；　that's　all。　　You　see　I　didn't　do　so
very　much。〃

〃'So　very　much'！〃　groaned　William；　starting　to　his　feet。　　〃Great
Scott！〃

〃Why；　William；　what　do　you　mean？　　Where　are　you　going？〃

〃I'm　goingtoBilly；〃　retorted　William　with　slow　distinctness。
〃And　I'm　going　to　try　to　get　therebeforeyouCAN！〃　　And　with
this　extraordinary　shotfor　Williamhe　left　the　house。

William　went　to　Billy　as　fast　as　steam　could　carry　him。　　He　found
her　in　her　little　drawing…room　listlessly　watching　with　Aunt　Hannah
the　game　of　chess　that　Bertram　and　Marie　were　playing。

〃Billy；　you　poor；　dear　child；　come　here；〃　he　said　abruptly；　as　soon
as　the　excitement　of　his　unexpected　arrival　had　passed。　　〃I　want　to
talk　to　you。〃　　And　he　led　the　way　to　the　veranda　which　he　knew
would　be　silent　and　deserted。

〃To　talk　tome？〃　murmured　Billy；　as　she　wonderingly　came　to　his
side；　a　startled　questioning　in　her　wide　dark　eyes。



CHAPTER　XLI

THE　CROOKED　MADE　STRAIGHT


William　did　not　re…enter　the　house　after　his　talk　with　Billy　on　the
veranda。

〃I　will　go　down　the　steps　and　around　by　the　rose　garden　to　the
street；　dear；〃　he　said。　　〃I'd　rather　not　go　in　now。　　Just　make　my
adieus；　please；　and　say　that　I　couldn't　stay　any　longer。　　And　now
good…by。〃　　His　eyes　as　they　looked　down　at　her；　were　moist　and　very
tender。　　His　lips　trembled　a　little；　but　they　smiled；　and　there　was
a　look　of　new…born　peace　and　joy　on　his　face。

Billy；　too；　was　smiling；　though　wistfully。　　The　frightened
questioning　had　gone　from　her　eyes；　leaving　only　infinite
tenderness。

〃You　are　sure　itit　is　all　rightnow？〃　she　stammered。

〃Very　sure；　little　girl；　and　it's　the　first　time　it　has　been　right
for　weeks。　　Billy；　that　was　very　dear　of　you；　and　I　love　you　for
it；　but　think　how　nearhow　perilously　near　you　came　to　lifelong
misery！〃

〃But　I　thoughtyou　wanted　meso　much；〃　she　smiled　shyly。

〃And　I　did；　and　I　dofor　a　daughter。　　You　don't　doubt　that　NOW？〃

〃No；　oh；　no；〃　laughed　Billy；　softly；　and　to　her　face　came　a　happy
look　of　relief　as　she　finished：　　〃And　I'll　be　so　glad　to　bethe
daughter！〃

For　some　minutes　after　the　man　had　gone；　Billy　stood　by　the　steps
where　he　had　left　her。　　She　was　still　there　when　Bertram　came　to
the　veranda　door　and　spoke　to　her。

〃Billy；　I　saw　William　go　by　the　window；　so　I　knew　you　were　alone。
May　I　speak　to　you？〃

The　girl　turned　with　a　start。

〃Why；　of　course！　　What　is　it？but　I　thought　you　were　playing。
Where　is　Marie？〃

〃The　game　is　finished；　besidesBilly；　why　are　you　always　asking　me
lately　where　Marie　is；　as　if　I　were　her　keeper；　or　she　mine？〃　he
demanded；　with　a　touch　of　nervous　irritation。

〃Why；　nothing；　Bertram；〃　smiled　Billy；　a　little　wearily；　〃only　that
you　were　playing　together　a　few　minutes　ago；　and　I　wondered　where
she　had　gone。〃

〃'A　few　minutes　ago'！〃　echoed　Bertram　with　sudden　bitterness。
〃Evidently　the　time　passed　swiftly　with　you；　Billy。　　William　was
out　here　MORE　than　an　hour。〃

〃WhyBertram！〃

〃Yes；　I　know。　　I've　no　business　to　say　that；　of　course；〃　sighed　the
man；　〃but；　Billy；　that's　why　I　came　outbecause　I　must　speak　to
you　this　once。　　Won't　you　come　and　sit　down；　please？〃　he　implored
despairingly。

〃Why；　Bertram；〃　murmured　Billy　again；　faintly；　as　she　turned　toward
the　vine…shaded　corner　and　sat　down。　　Her　eyes　were　startled。　　A
swift　color　had　come　to　her　cheeks。

〃Billy；〃　began　the　man；　in　a　sternly　controlled　voice；　〃please　let
me　speak　this　once；　and　don't　try　to　stop　me。　　You　may　think；　for　a
moment；　that　it's　disloyal　to　William　if　you　listen；　but　it　isn't。
There's　this　much　due　to　methat　you　let　me　speak　now。　　Billy；　I
can't　stand　it。　　I've　tried；　but　it's　no　use。　　I've　got　to　go　away；
and　it's　right　that　I　should。　　I'm　not　the　only　one　that　thinks　so；
either。　　Marie　does；　too。〃

〃MARIE！〃

〃Yes。　　I　talked　it　all　over　with　her。　　She's　known　for　a　long　time
how　it's　been　with　me；　how　I　caredfor　you。〃

〃Marie！　　You've　told　Marie　that？〃　gasped　Billy。

〃Yes。　　Surely　you　don't　mind　Marie's　knowing；〃　went　on　Bertram；
dejectedly。　　〃And　she's　been　so　good　to　me；　and　tried　tohelp　me。〃

Bertram　was　not　looking　at　Billy　now。　　If　he　had　been　he　would　have
seen　the　incredulous　joy　come　into　her　face。　　His　eyes　were　moodily
fixed　on　the　floor。

〃And　so；　Billy；　I've　come　to　tell　you。　　I'm　going　away；〃　he
continued；　after　a　moment。　　〃I've　got　to　go。　　I　thought　once；　when
I　first　talked　with　you　of　William；　that　you　didn't　know　your　own
heart；　that　you　didn't　really　care　for　him。　　I　was　even　fool　enough
to　think　thatthat　it　would　be　I　to　whom　you'd　turnsome　day。
And　so　I　stayed。　　But　I　stayed　honorably；　Billy！　　YOU　know　that！
You　know　that　I　haven't　once　forgottennot　once；　that　I　was　only
William's　brother。　　I　promised　you　I'd　be　thatand　I　have　been；
haven't　I？〃

Billy　nodded　silently。　　Her　face　was　turned　away。

〃But；　Billy；　I　can't　do　it　any　longer。　　I've　got　to　ask　for　my
promise　back；　and　then；　of　course；　I　can't　stay。〃

〃But　youyou　don't　have　to　goaway；〃　murmured　the　girl；　faintly。

Bertram　sprang　to　his　feet。　　His　face　was　white。

〃Billy；〃　he　cried；　standing　tall　and　straight　before　her；　〃Billy；　I
love　every　touch　of　your　hand；　every　glance　of　your　eye；　every　word
that　falls　from　your　lips。　　Do　you　think　I　can　staynow？　　I　want
my　promise　back！　　When　I'm　no　longer　William's　brotherthen　I'll
go！〃

〃But　you　don't　have　to　have　it　backthat　is；　you　don't　have　to
have　it　at　all；〃　stammered　Billy；　flushing　adorably。　　She；　too；　was
on　her　feet　now。

〃Billy；　what　do　you　mean？〃

〃Don't　you　see？　　II　HAVE　turned；〃　she　faltered　breathlessly；
holding　out　both　her　hands。

Even　then；　in　spite　of　the　great　light　that　leaped　to　his　eyes；
Bertram　advanced　only　a　single　step。

〃ButWilliam？〃　he　questioned；　unbelievingly。

〃It　WAS　a　mistake；　just　as　you　thought。　　We　know　nowboth　of　us。
We　don't　either　of　us　care　for　the　otherthat　way。　　AndBertram；
I　think　it　HAS　been　youall　the　time；　only　I　didn't　know！〃

〃Billy；　Billy！〃　choked　Bertram　in　a　voice　shaken　with　emotion。　　He
opened　his　arms　then；　wideand　Billy　walked　straight　into　them。



CHAPTER　XLII

THE　〃END　OF　THE　STORY〃


It　was　two　days　after　Billy's　new　happiness　had　come　to　her　that
Cyril　came　home。　　He　went　very　soon　to　see　Billy。

The　girl　was　surprised　at　the　change　in　his　appearance。　　He　had
grown　thin　and　haggard　looking；　and　his　eyes　were　somber。　　He　moved
restlessly　about　the　room　for　a　time；　finally　seating　himself　at
the　piano　and　letting　his　fingers　slip　from　one　mournful　little
melody　to　another。　　Then；　with　a　discordant　crash；　he　turned。

〃Billy；　do　you　think　any　girl　would　marryme？〃　he　demanded。

〃Why；　Cyril！〃

〃There；　now；　please　don't　begin　that；〃　he　begged　fretfully。　　〃I
realize；　of　course；　that　I'm　a　very　unlikely　subject　for　matrimony。
You　made　me　understand　that　clearly　enough　last　winter！〃

〃Lastwinter？〃

Cyril　raised　his　eyebrows。

〃Oh；　I　came　to　you　for　a　little　encouragement；　and　to　make　a
confession；〃　he　said。　　〃I　made　the　confessionbut　I　didn't　get
the　encouragement。〃

Billy　changed　color。　　She　thought　she　knew　what　he　meant；　but　at
the　same　time　she　couldn't　understand　why　he　should　wish　to　refer
to　that　conversation　now。

〃Aconfession？〃　she　repeated；　hesitatingly。

〃Yes。　　I　told　you　that　I'd　begun　to　doubt　my　being　such　a　woman…
hater；　after　all。　　I　intimated　that　YOU'D　begun　the　softening
process；　and　that　then　I'd　found　a　certain　other　young　woman　who
hadwell；　who　had　kept　up　the　good　work。〃

〃Oh！〃　cried　Billy　suddenly；　with　a　peculiar　intonation。　　〃Oh…h！〃
Then　she　laughed　softly。

〃Well；　that　was　the　confession；〃　resumed　Cyril。　　〃Then　I　came　out
flat…footed　and　said　that　I　wanted　to　marry　herbut　there　is　where
I　didn't　get　the　encouragement！〃

〃Indeed！　　I'm　afraid　I　wasn't　very　considerate；〃　stammered　Billy。

〃No；　you　weren't；〃　agreed　Cyril；　moodily。　　〃I　didn't　know　but　now〃
his　voice　softened　a　little〃with　this　new　happiness　of　yours
and　Bertram's　thatyou　might　find　a　little　encouragement　for　me。〃

〃And　I　will；〃　cried　Billy；　promptly。　　〃Tell　me　about　her。〃

〃I　didlast　winter；〃　reproached　the　man；　〃and　you　were　sure　I　was
deceiving　myself。　　You　drew　the　gloomiest　sort　of　picture　of　the
misery　I　would　take　with　a　wife。〃

〃I　did？〃　　Billy　was　laughing　very　merrily　now。

〃Yes。　　You　said　she'd　always　be　talking　and　laughing　when　I　wanted
to　be　quiet；　and　that　she'd　want　to　drag　me　out　to　parties　and
plays　when　I　wanted　to　stay　at　home；　andoh；　lots　of　things。　　I
tried　to　make　it　clear　to　you　thatthat　this　little　woman　wasn't
that　sort。　　But　I　couldn't；〃　finished　Cyril；　gloomily。

〃But　of　course　she　isn't；〃　declared　Billy；　with　quick　sympathy。
〃II　didn't　knowWHATI　wastalking　about；〃　she　added　with
emphatic　distinctness。　　Then　she　smiled　to　think　how　little　Cyril
knew　how　very　true　those　words　were。　　〃Tell　me　about　her；〃　she
begged　again。　　〃I　know　she　must　be　very　lovely　and　brilliant；　and
of　course　a　wonderful　musician。　　YOU　couldn't　choose　any　one　else！〃

To　her　surprise　Cyril　turned　abruptly　and　began　to　play　again。　　A
nervous　little　staccato　scherzo　fell　from　his　fingers；　but　it
dropped　almost　at　once　into　a　quieter　melody；　and　ended　with
something　that　sounded　very　much　like　the　last　strain　of　〃Home；
Sweet　Home。〃　　Then　he　wheeled　about　on　the　piano　stool。

〃Billy；　that's　exactly　where　you're　wrongI　DON'T　want　that　kind
of　wife。　　I　don't　want　a　brilliant　one；　andnow；　Billy；　this
sounds　like　horrible　heresy；　I　know；　but　it's　trueI　don't　care
whether　she　can　pla