k
to Young Wives."

Billy tried valiantly these days not to mind that Bertram's work was so
absorbing. She tried not to mind that his business dealt, not with lumps
of coal and chunks of ice, but with beautiful women like Marguerite
Winthrop who asked him to luncheon, and lovely girls like his model for
"The Rose" who came freely to his studio and spent hours in the beloved
presence, being studied for what Bertram declared was absolutely the
most wonderful poise of head and shoulders that he had ever seen.

Billy tried, also, these days, to so conduct herself that not by any
chance could Calderwell suspect that sometimes she was jealous of
Bertram's art. Not for worlds would she have had Calderwell begin to get
the notion into his head that his old-time prophecy concerning Bertram's
caring only for the turn of a girl's head or the tilt of her chin--to
paint, was being fulfilled. Hence, particularly gay and cheerful was
Billy when Calderwell was near. Nor could it be said that Billy was
really unhappy at any time. It was only that, on occasion, the very
depth of her happiness in Bertram's love frightened her, lest it bring
disaster to herself or Bertram.

Billy still went frequently to the Annex. There were yet two unfilled
rooms in the house. Billy was hesitating which two of six new friends
of hers to choose as occupants; and it was one day early in March, after
she had been talking the matter over with Aunt Hannah, that Aunt Hannah
said:

"Dear me, Billy, if you had your way I believe you'd open another whole
house!"

"Do you know?--that's just what I'm thinking of," retorted Billy,
gravely. Then she laughed at Aunt Hannah's shocked gesture of protest.
"Oh, well, I don't expect to," she added. "I haven't lived very long,
but I've lived long enough to know that you can't always do what you
want to."

"Just as if there were anything _you_ wanted to do that you don't do, my
dear," reproved Aunt Hannah, mildly.

"Yes, I know." Billy drew in her breath with a little catch. "I have so
much that is lovely; and that's why I need this house, you know, for the
overflow," she nodded brightly. Then, with a characteristic change of
subject, she added: "My, but you should have tasted of the popovers I
made for breakfast this morning!"

"I should like to," smiled Aunt Hannah. "William says you're getting to
be quite a cook."

"Well, maybe," conceded Billy, doubtfully. "Oh, I can do some things
all right; but just wait t