When Mildred refused to marry Billy Sprague it was not so much because she did not love him as because Billy regarded it as a matter of course that one day they would be married. He said a tragic farewell like the handsome hero of the melodrama, and to herself Mildred hoped that he would not do anything rash for she loved Billy and intended to accept him about the twentieth time of asking. But love’s young dream turned into a nightmare the next morning when the mail brought a note from Billy. There was a corner torn off, but there was plenty enough left, for the last words were, “I am going to drown my s—-.” It was not long before the police were called in and there ensued a lively chase along the riverbank for traces of the suicide. Mildred was too excited to help much, and she identified any chance article of clothing as the property of the late lamented Billy, including the suit of a chap who was taking a quiet swim. Many other things happened that added to the liveliness of life until one of the policemen suggested that they go to where Billy used to live and see if he had left any more promising clues as to the exact point where he proposed shuffling off the mortal coil. The first person they met was William himself, who was rather surprised to see Mildred’s escort. He produced the torn note. In it he said he was going to drown his sorrows in the flowing bowl. But he had not taken a drink, so Mildred forgave him and the ring dented his pocketbook about $450.