Miss Billie's Decision [0]
Miss Billie's Decision
by Eleanor H. Porter
TO
My Cousin Helen
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. CALDERWELL DOES SOME TALKING
II. AUNT HANNAH GETS A LETTER
III. BILLY AND BERTRAM
IV. FOR MARY JANE
V. MARIE SPEAKS HER MIND
VI. AT THE SIGN OF THE PINK
VII. OLD FRIENDS AND NEW
VIII. M. J. OPENS THE GAME
IX. A RUG, A PICTURE, AND A GIRL AFRAID
X. A JOB FOR PETE--AND FOR BERTRAM
XI. A CLOCK AND AUNT HANNAH
XII. SISTER KATE
XIII. CYRIL AND A WEDDING
XIV. M. J. MAKES ANOTHER MOVE
XV. ``MR. BILLY'' AND ``MISS MARY JANE''
XVI. A GIRL AND A BIT OF LOWESTOFT
XVII. ONLY A LOVE SONG, BUT--
XVIII. SUGARPLUMS
XIX. ALICE GREGGORY
XX. ARKWRIGHT TELLS A STORY
XXI. A MATTER OF STRAIGHT BUSINESS
XXII. PLANS AND PLOTTINGS
XXIII. THE CAUSE AND BERTRAM
XXIV. THE ARTIST AND HIS ART
XXV. THE OPERETTA
XXVI. ARKWRIGHT TELLS ANOTHER STORY
XXVII. THE THING THAT WAS THE TRUTH
XXVIII. BILLY TAKES HER TURN
XXIX. KATE WRITES A LETTER
XXX. ``I'VE HINDERED HIM''
XXXI. FLIGHT
XXXII. PETE TO THE RESCUE
XXXIII. BERTRAM TAKES THE REINS
Miss Billy's Decision
CHAPTER I
CALDERWELL DOES SOME TALKING
Calderwell had met Mr. M. J. Arkwright in London through a common friend; since then they had tramped half over Europe together in a comradeship that was as delightful as it was unusual. As Calderwell put it in a letter to his sister, Belle:
``We smoke the same cigar and drink the same tea (he's just as much of an old woman on that subject as I am!), and we agree beautifully on all necessary points of living, from tipping to late sleeping in the morning; while as for politics and religion--we disagree in those just enough to lend spice to an otherwise tame existence.''
Farther along in this same letter Calderwell touched upon his new friend again.
``I admit, however, I would like to know his name. To find out what that mysterious `M. J.' stands for has got to be pretty nearly an obsession with me. I am about ready to pick his pocket or rifle his trunk in search of some lurking `Martin' or `John' that will set me at peace. As it is, I confess that I have ogled his incoming mail and his outgoing baggage shamelessly, only to be slapped in the face always and everlastingly by that bland `M. J.' I've got my revenge, now, though. To myself I call him `Mary Jane'-- and his broad-shouldered, brown-bearded six feet of muscular manhood would so like to be called `Mary Jane'! By the way, Belle, if you ever hear of murder and sudden death in my direction, better set the sleuths on the trail of Arkwright. Six to one you'll find I called him `Mary Jane' to his face!''
Calderwell was thinking of that letter now, as he sat at a small table in a Paris caf
During the brief, sickening moment of silence after the name had left his lips, Calderwell was conscious of a whimsical realization of the lights, music, and laughter all about him.
``Well, I chose as safe a place as I could!'' he was thinking. Then Arkwright spoke.
``How long since you've been in correspondence with members of my family?''
``Eh?''
Arkwright laughed grimly.
``Perhaps you thought of it yourself, then-- I'll admit you're capable of it,'' he nodded, reaching for a cigar. ``But it so happens you hit upon my family's favorite name for me.''
``_Mary Jane!_ You mean they actually _call_ you that?''
``Yes,'' bowed the big fellow, calmly, as he struck a light. ``Appropriate!--don't you think?''
Calderwell did not answer. He thought he could not.
``Well, silence gives consent, they say,'' laughed the other. ``Anyhow, you must have had _some_ reason for calling me that.''
``Arkwright, what _does_ `M. J.' stand for?'' demanded Calderwell.
``Oh, is that it?'' smiled the man