Miss Billie's Decision [100]
Billy laughed softly.
``Five days, indeed, sir! I wonder if you think I can get ready to be married in five days.''
``Don't want you to get ready,'' retorted Bertram, promptly. ``I saw Marie get ready, and I had all I wanted of it. If you really must have all those miles of tablecloths and napkins and doilies and lace rufflings we'll do it afterwards,--not before.''
``But--''
``Besides, I _need_ you to take care of me,'' cut in Bertram, craftily.
``Bertram, do you--really?''
The tender glow on Billy's face told its own story, and Bertram's eager eyes were not slow to read it.
``Sweetheart, see here, dear,'' he cried softly, tightening his good left arm. And forthwith he began to tell her how much he did, indeed, need her.
``Billy, my dear!'' It was Aunt Hannah's plaintive voice at the doorway, a little later. ``We must go home; and William is here, too, and wants to see you.''
Billy rose at once as Aunt Hannah entered the room.
``Yes, Aunt Hannah, I'll come; besides--'' she glanced at Bertram mischievously--'' I shall need all the time I've got to prepare for--my wedding.'',
``Your wedding! You mean it'll be before-- October?'' Aunt Hannah glanced from one to the other uncertainly. Something in their smiling faces sent a quick suspicion to her eyes.
``Yes,'' nodded Billy, demurely. ``It's next Tuesday, you see.''
``Next Tuesday! But that's only a week away,'' gasped Aunt Hannah.
``Yes, a week.''
``But, child, your trousseau--the wedding-- the--the--a week!'' Aunt Hannah could not articulate further.
``Yes, I know; that is a good while,'' cut in Bertram, airily. ``We wanted it to-morrow, but we had to wait, on account of the new license law. Otherwise it wouldn't have been so long, and--''
But Aunt Hannah was gone. With a low- breathed ``Long! Oh, my grief and conscience-- _William!_'' she had fled through the hall door.
``Well, it _is_ long,'' maintained Bertram, with tender eyes, as he reached out his hand to say good-night.
End