"But--William?" he questioned, unbelievingly.
"It WAS a mistake, just as you thought. We know now--both of us. We
don't either of us care for the other--that way. And--Bertram, I think
it HAS been you--all the time, only I didn't know!"
"Billy, Billy!" choked Bertram in a voice shaken with emotion. He opened
his arms then, wide--and 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 marry--me?" 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!"
"Last--winter?"
Cyril raised his eyebrows.
"Oh, I came to you for a little encouragement, and to make a
confession," he said. "I made the confession--but I didn't get the
encouragement."
Billy changed color.
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