The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-05-06

GOOD afternoon, and-in case 1 have
hurt you
He pressed something into her hand,
and Betty fed.
Safe IN the innermOst recesses Of the
pantry she opened her hand and with
a burning blush and stihed laugh gazed
long on its contents, for in her palm
lay bright, shining goldpiece.
The regimental ball was at it's height.
To Betty Lowell it was just one long
dream of delight, and her pleasure
IN it reached a eliminating point when
an officer approached her. in his rear
one vividly remembered figure, and
Captain Lee said:
"Miss Lowell, Major Lorimer desires
the pleasure Of your acquaintance. Ma
jor Lorimer-Miss Lowell"
Betty bowed, wave Of color dyeing
her fair face crimson. Would he recog-
nize her? She dared not raise her eyes
as he asked:
cam l too late for the honor of a
dance? Are you engaged for the next?''
81 was, but my partner has been
compelled to take an important dowager
into supper. YOu-you may have it, if
you wish"
''I thank youp'
His voice was perfectly level and
composed, and Betty took courage. Why
should he remember a cook? On the
strength Of this assurance, she looked at
him swiftly as he placed his arm light
ly around her waist, but his eyes were
fixed on her face with a curiously in
tent, puzzled scrutiny, and she lowered
her own hurriedly.
"Are you making a long stay?" she
asked hastily, as their steps glided
round in perfect unison to the strains of
"Beauty's Eyes"
"That altogether depends on circum-
stances, he answered quietly. 81 had
intended leaving tomorrow, but now-I
cannot say. Shall we sit DOWN."
He led the way to a delicious little
corner framed in by palms and cut off
altogether from the laughing crowd be-
yond. Sinking into a cushioned lounge,
she opened her fan lazily. The handle
caught and brought into prominence a
thin gold chain she wore round her
white throat, but at the end, instead Of
the heart which fashion DEGREES, dan
gled gold coin, cleaning brightly in
the lamplight. She made hasty move
ment TO thrust it out of sight, but his
eyes had fallen upon it. Leaning for
ward abruptly, he took it between his
fingers.
GA curious ornament, is it not?" he
asked searchingly. "Surely it must
have some special interest to be far hon
ored." ="
ooh, it hasr' she said demureIy. "It
was once given me as-a tipr
His eyes lighted up. "Ah, then-you
are indeed she?" eagerly.
"She? Who?" innocently.
"Don't tease me! You know-I'll
swear you know! l recognized you at
once. Surely there cannot be two such
faces in the world! Tell me, did you
not last week act as-as Mrs. Hughes
cook?"
She burst into a peal of laughter,
though the color rose warm in her face.
''I did indeed, and you must own
naively-" cooked we'll for herr'
Then frankly she told him the story,
adding: 81 was awfully hard up-we
always are, we Lovells-and it seemed
a heaven sent chance. You see, never
dreamed 1 should see youp
"No, so you said laughing gayly.
"ShalI make a confession? 1 sounded
Mrs. Hughes all l knew to learn some
thing more about you, but the old lady
was as discreet as a HindoO idol. l could
get nothing out of her and departed
rather out of temper, I'm afraid. did
not know w''-slOwly- when l should
see you again.
1t was ten days later, and they were
strolling idly among the roses in the
Lovells big, old fashioned garden, Betty
holding one or two buds in her hand.
He was speaking quickly, earnestly :
"I can't stand it any longer, Betty. The
fellow is always hanging round you,
and it makes me wild. I'm jealous
madly jealousr'
"Are you?" Betty asked shyly.
"why?"
Because 1 love you-have always
loved you since the moment l saw you.
Be my wife, darling I swear I'll love
you and be good to you till I dier'
Even if you weren' t" " Betty whis-
pered breathlessly, Il should love you
| just the same-always
Then, as he caught her in his arms
and kissed her, she added demurely:
"And I'll have that goldpiece franz
ed r'-Forget Me Not
Cleanliness.
n,o oe -,,o-4 g,