The National tribune., 1883-03-01

Harry ?" he queried, turning to poor Miss
La Bree Is that the namep
Ne-es,' she said, starting as though he had
struck her Harry La Bree"
" hope you forgive me. Harry" he said
holding out his hand to Betty, with winning
smile. 81 didn't mean to run over you; but
the best thing | can do for you now is to help
you recover; and you may be sure | will do
what ! can with all my heart"
! When he had left them. Betty turned to Miss
La Bree, and said, savageiy:
Aunt Adele, promise me yOu will not say a
word about this. On, should die of mortitica-
tion, If he were to find me out
What on earth made You do such a thing,
Betty?" walled Miss La Brce q don't see
how on earth we can keep it secret"
B" Sit right down." said Betty. quickly. and
write TO mamma. Tell her that Jane has hart
heravn and that have a sore foot. and that we
won't be- able to get the house ready for them
next week"
shell come anyhow"
No, she won't answered Betty. She
promised nle 10 let me have the moving all in
my own hands, and she won't come till | send
for her. Aunt Adele, you must never breathe
4 word of this to a living soul"
Some W. crs later. on the lawn at Eallcyvicw,
Betty III: have been seen IN Il gardcn-chair
She wore Franks vclycg smoking-jac but
over her il"ces She had thrown linen afghan
;
told hyr sac might walk little. nothing in the
world could have INDUCED her 10 try it. since
she wouid have been obliged 10 put on rauti-
looms. No, indeed. Sae would not sir q step
til Doctor Gwynu ceased attending her But
somehow Betty was III no hurry for that time
to come.
Yes, it was four weeks since the night when
she bad gone on lie mission which had in
VOWED her in su.h eInbairasSmen;s She had
written again and again 10 her father and
mother, telling item Of unforeseen delays, etc,
etc. till Mr.. :iGi M;s la Bgra were quite out
of patience. Il was only what Betty had feared,
whcn she saw her brother Frank coming up The
walk thaj afternoon.
If only he cwoujd 30 into the house at once.
But no. He saw her, and came towards her
with a roiicking salute.
Hello, Betty. my dear, he cried giving her
a good hug. How dye do? What are you
dressed in Iny jacket for"
Frank" she said struggling in his aims
with desperation, there is 4 stranger here"
Oh, excuse n!e, he SAID, apoogc, ,cIliy. rs
poor Betty st;nmeled out the name OF Doctor
Gwynn.
FortGnat,ly Miss la Bree caught sight of
him from the ibrarv-window.
Frank. Frank" She cried, gesticulating
wildly Come here this instant"
"It seems I'm wanted he said, smiling, rs
he started toward the house. But The next
moment he turned and cried out:
H0w'S YOUR foot, Betty? You're the worst
girl | ever saw. You're always hurting your
self III some way or other
Betty did not reply; for she had huried her
fac il her hands, and burst into fears Of NOR
titca.ion
You must know il all now she said. choil-
ingly. I'm Eoy a-boy at all-Doct0r Gwynn.
II dressed up in Franks clothes that night.
/ never did it before, andand didn't think
anyone would know. i thought it would be
safer to 90 III that way. Pl-please don't think
I'm a dreadful girl for I'm not
Here Betty broke down completely. and Doc
tor Gwynn was obliged 10 draw her head down
on his shoulder.
You foolish little thing" he cried, his eyes
shining with tuu, but more with tenderness.
" You thought l did not suspect. DO YOU sup
pose | did not know, the moment ! saw them,
that these pretty hands and feet belonged to
woman? And do you suppose my heart did not
tell me IN its own peculiar language? Betty,
have known ii all along Pcrhap, II would have
been better for me- If hadn't, for ! have learned
to love yOu, nay darling, and | cannot be happy
without you. Tel me-will you marry me,
Betty looked at him in the most a3ject aston
ishment. which, Tor the moment, s;iiiod al
other emotions. Bat gradually, as the sig:if-
canoe OF his words dawned on her sof5 flush
stole into her cheeks, and her eyes reflected ,he
tender light which shone IN his own.
viii yoa marry me- Betty " he asked again,
and she did not say him nay.-PeisySoa'S for
March.