The herald., 1897-10-29
HALLOWEEN BEFORE LAST

and throw 1t into the fire, ring and all.
will have nothing to do with it,
Do you mean it, Betty?" cried Jack,
springing forward and catching her
hand.
Every word of it, Mr.. Jack, and
when want a sweetheart I'll find one
who fights fair
1t was horrid speech, and Betty knew
it. Emily and l stood paralyzed while
she said it; and Sue put her hand for
ward to touch Betty's arm. But Betty
threw her off. II am tired, and if you
will excuse me-" said she, darting
naughty glance at poor Jack, II will
go into the sitting room and eat my cake
comfortably before the fire." and away
she went, taking the Englishman with
her.
When we turned to look for Jack he
was gone; and a little later the others
went home, for the spirit of the evening
was broken. Betty said good night,
laughing louder than usual, and with
her cheeks redder than they had been
in many an evening; but Emily and l
were quiet and poor Sue was half cry
ing for her brother Jack.
The next morning Betty, in her pret-
tiest gown, the pale blue dress that Jack
loved, toyed with the front windows
and looked Jacks way furtively until
noon, but Jack did not come. Afternoon
brought the only caller and that was the
Englishman. But to his amazement
and our qualification, Betty would have
none of him, and bade us go into the
drawing room and excuse her "She
cb bn nd 10 1xc
had made her ILL.,
That was year ago. For weeks Bet
ty waited for Jack but he did not come.
And even Sue and the girls bore a hurt
silence and we did not see them. And
so we next door neighbors scarce knew
each other, we who used to be SO thick.
Jack was away. That much we learned.
Il feel as if could enjoy Halloween
again." said Emily, when Halloween
comes around this year. Will you join
us, Betty?"
II don't care" said Betty, adding: 81
feel too old now for such games" with
sigh, but I'll join you."
"All right, Betty" said Emily, hug
ging her, well count on you, darling.
And Betty, just for once, will you smile
and try to get little color back in your
cheeks?"
Il don't think shall ever really smile
again." said Betty, dolefully II think"
she added, pitifully, 'it is a whole year
since I have been happy"
you may be happy again, darling"
whispered Emily, squeezing Betty again,
and looking so radiant that frowned
at her.
Poor little Betty! Had she not been
so deep in her own sad thoughts sha
might have noticed that which would
have caused her to wonder.
II don't think we ought to surprise
her too much" said tender-hearted Sis
ter Emily, and then, because could not
prevent her, she took great apple into
Betty's chamber the night before Hal
loween and bade her peel it.
What nonsense" said Betty, wearily.
"You know, sister, do not believe in
omens."
But, see, Betty, the peeling. 1t has
come off the apple and it is j."
NO" said Betty. But she stared at
the peeling a long time as it twisted and
writhed on her white gown.
But Betty was sad next day, and MOTH
ing could brighten her.
You would scarce know our little sis
ter from a year ago. She is pale and thin
and when she sits alone the tears fall
down her cheeks andwet her little white
hands. We are sad for her, too, but
what can we do. The sight of other peo-
pies happiness saddens her the more;
and when my betrothed, Elmer lowering,
and I sit in the bow window of twilight
we oft think we hear Betty sobbing her
heart out upstairs.
1T is too bad. Let me write word to
him for her," he says but forbid him,
because know Betty and I know it is
not time.
If Betty had not been so full of her own