Miss Billy's Decision

For a moment there was silence, then Calderwell spoke again.

``Where did you know--Miss Billy?''

``Oh, I don't know her at all. I know of her-- through Aunt Hannah.''

Calderwell sat suddenly erect.

``Aunt Hannah! Is she your aunt, too? Jove! This is a little old world, after all; isn't it?''

``She isn't my aunt. She's my mother's third cousin. None of us have seen her for years, but she writes to mother occasionally; and, of course, for some time now, her letters have been running over full of Billy. She lives with her, I believe; doesn't she?''

``She does,'' rejoined Calderwell, with an unexpected chuckle. ``I wonder if you know how she happened to live with her, at first.''

``Why, no, I reckon not. What d