Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-26

Betty walked the vacant office with quick, impatient steps. A leaping fire orackled in the grate. Uncle Edom, the black manservant. had drawn the easi- est chair beside it. but nothing could induce her to rest in it. She had peach blossomy cheeks now. Uncle Edom had told her, fDe ole big boss, ma am, he done goned fer CT week, but Marse Ned he'll be down in dest CT little while. :"
 She wished of all things to escape an encounter with Ned. She could never make him understand-her father and his had been social equals, class and college mates-hence the old man would have known intuitively how impossible itwas that her fathers daughter should leave his defense to be ranked among anybody's charity cases. His son-Bet- tvs thought went no farther-the rao- ing blood made connected thought i'm possible. She stood mutinous, trem- bling, wishing herself 100 miles away, yet ill nowise repenting the thing that had brought her. There was back door, of which she knew nothing Ned came through it and took her unawares. He walked straight up in front of her, say ing with little frown:
 Betty, why will you do such very foolish things?"
 .'I-I do not quite understand you, " Betty faltered.
 Who bought Lightfoot?' he demand cd, his voice still hard.
 tfNUbC ea--1 ho.vo sOIJ L1u93s asked with spirit.
 "I know. It was because of what Johnny Gates said when you refused him again, Ned went on relentlessly.
 Betty flung off her shawl as though it's weight stified her. Her eyes sparkIed, her voice was an edged flute note as she said:
 Mir. Westfield, is there anything ill the relation of lawyer and client to au- thorize questions such as you have seen it to ask?''
 T am more than your lawyer, " Ned said stoutly. Betty, this is no fit time or place, but you know I love you, you know 1 mean to marry you as soon as come into my grandmother s legacy and am independent of my father. I told you that over and over in the summer. Then you at least listened now you try to shut me away from your concerns. You have stripped yourself of work stock. You live on farm alone with the children. They must have fire and food and clothes You have perhaps a right to sacrifice yourself and me, Bet ty, but not the children, Do have a thought for them.
 T think of nothing else day and night, J Betty said. "But-but can t you see? Oh, do please take the money for your father. It is not much, only $200, but when it is paid people cannot say''-
 ''Let them say what they like, " Vest field broke in. Betty, Betty, marry me at once. You shall not starve, dear. D.
 Please, please never say such things again, Betty entreated 'Think of your father, of how good he was to mine, and his pride, and how ii would break his heart to know his only son had mar ried a eenviot's daughter''-
 aStopl" Ned said, speaking low and hard. I have been over all that, Bet ty, but if you love me anything is bet ter than knowing you as you are, with nothing between you and the crush of things.
 q do not think so, ;" Betty cried, dropping the roll of bills on the desk before him and hnmyin9 a~eT. e.. thoroughbred and Betty s own proper ty, a gift from one of her fathers boon companions. who found the foal then less than a week old, serious hin- drance fo his pleasure. He did not ocea1n tne eweomer ooui3 bring nn his ..---. 4.v >.lu noU know, as Betty did, how w ise and kind was Sock, the bell COW. After a sniff or two and one faint protesting moo Sock let the colt suck beside her own new calf quite as though they were twins
 Next year Lightfoot came out in her glossy new coat as fine and lusty year. ling as stepped on four hoofs The chil- dren froliclzed with her, talked to her and shared their dainties quite as though she had been human, which they more than half believed she was. And what famous 3-year- old she made bride wise, full gaited and handsome as picture Betty began to ride her then. Today it came back to her how her father had looked at her frayed, worn saddle and housings and said;
 tAh, Betty, you could show off your mare if only you had father worth even hanging.
 Her dear father He had been always the pattern of kindness so long as he kept at home. A pattern of industry and thrift, too, until the restless fit seized him; then he rode away, drank and gambled or indorsed other men 5 worthless paper, which later his own household was pinched to pay.
 ''I most thought you had forgot us, Betty, Trab said unsteadily. Tiff you had staid a little longer, I meant to take Lightfoot back home again. Have you taken the money for her, Bet ty? If you haven't'-- A sob finished what he could not say.
 "Yes, took it and spent it, Betty said huslsily. "Mr Lane had the money all ready told him you would bring her" -nodding toward the mare--"and he said next week would do.
 ''Lets take her back. I'll bring her then. Honest will. Oh, Betty, how oa,, xvo ,,art with barpi, Tral, walled