"And is this the way you meant to run away from us, young lady?" cried
Bertram. "Not so fast! You see, I happened to be in New York this
morning, and so I--" Something in Billy's face sent a pause to his words
just as his eyes spied the two men at the girl's side. For a moment he
stared dumbly; then he gave a merry gesture of defeat.
"It's all up! I might as well confess. I'VE been planning this thing for
three weeks, Billy, ever since your letter came, in fact. As for my two
fellow-sinners here, I'll wager they weren't two days behind me in their
planning. So now, own up, boys!"
William and Cyril, however, did not have to "own up." Mrs. Stetson
appeared at the moment and created, for them, a very welcome diversion.
Long minutes later, when the good-byes had become nothing but a flutter
of white handkerchiefs from deck to shore, and shore to deck, William
drew a long sigh.
"That's a nice little girl, boys, a nice little girl!" he exclaimed. "I
declare! I didn't suppose I'd mind so much her going so far away."
CHAPTER XX
BILLY, THE MYTH
To all appearances it came about very naturally that Billy did
not return to America for some time. During the summer she wrote
occasionally to William, and gave glowing accounts of their travels.
Then in September came the letter telling him that they had concluded to
stay through the winter in Paris.
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