Interesting; I would not say that the latter is correct use of because--I feel a step of logic is left out and mark it that way on papers!

Will you be at the conference?  If so, I'll see you there!

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From:   Wanda VanGoor[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Reply To:       Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
Sent:   Friday, May 21, 1999 3:45 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Subordinating Conjunctions--and punctuation.

This will probably only add to the confusion, but I've found it very
useful in dealing with punctuating the "because" clauses.  If the
"because" clause gives a REASON, no comma is needed.  If the "because"
clause gives evidence (not reason), use a comma.

      Mrs. VG has gone home because she became ill.

      Mrs. VG has gone home, because her car is not in the parking lot.

In the "evidence" sentence, one can mentally insert "I know that" between
"home" and "because."  The comma takes the place of the "I know that."

I've never seen it in a text (except my own!)--but it works!