just what you DID do?"

"Why, I didn't do so very much. I just tried to help, that's all. After
I talked with you, and advised you to ask Billy right away to marry you,
I went to her. I thought she cared for you already, anyway; but I just
wanted to tell her how very much it was to you, and so sort of pave the
way. And now comes the part that I started to tell you a little while
ago when you caught me up so sharply. I was going to say that when I
told Billy this, she appeared to be surprised, and almost frightened.
You see, she hadn't known you cared for her, after all, and so I had a
chance to help and make it plain to her how you did love her, so that
when you spoke everything would be all right. There, that's all. You see
I didn't do so very much."

"'So very much'!" groaned William, starting to his feet. "Great Scott!"

"Why, William, what do you mean? Where are you going?"

"I'm going--to--Billy," retorted William with slow distinctness.
"And I'm going to try to get there--before--you--CAN!" And with this
extraordinary shot--for William--he left the house.

William went to Billy as fast as steam could carry him. He found her in
her little drawing-room listlessly watching with Aunt Hannah the game of
chess that Bertram and Marie were playing.

"Billy, you poor, dear child, come here," he said abruptly, as soon as
the excitement of his unexpected arrival had passed. "I want to talk to
you." And he led the way to the veranda which he knew would be silent
and deserted.

"To talk to--me?" murmured Billy, as she wonderingly came to his side, a
startled questioning in her wide dark eyes.

CHAPTER XLI

THE CROOKED MADE STRAIGHT

William did not re-enter the house after his talk with Billy on the
veranda.

"I will go down the steps and around by the rose garden to the street,
dear," he said. "I'd rather not go in now. Just make my adieus, please,
and say that I couldn't stay any longer. And now--good-by." His eyes as
they looked down at her, were moist and very tender. His lips trembled a
little, but they smiled, and there was a look of new-born peace and joy
on his face.

Billy, too, was smiling, though wistfully. The frightened questioning
had gone from her eyes, leaving only infinite tenderness.

"You are sure it--it is all right--now?" she stammered.

"Very sure, little girl; and it's the first time it has been right for
weeks. Billy, that was very dear of you, and I love you for it; but
think ho