The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-11-19
Breaking tbe News.
hDo YOU think he'll take it badly


ders.
my dear Betty, you ought to know
more about Mr.. MarkhaIn's powers OF
endurance than l."
but what dc you think he'll dol
What do you suppose"
"Why waste our time in supposition
He'll be here most like this afternoon
and you will be able to judge for your
self"
Betty Oakhurst sprang to her feet
''Ted is coming here this afternoon
Why on earth didn't you tell me be-
fore?" And she fdgeted nervously
with her hat before the glass as she
spoke
"But you knew. Betty, where are
you going"
Anywhere out of this" cried the
girl, laughing nervously as she stopped
TO kiss her friend.
Nora, however, caught her arm.
Nonsense, Bettyl You'd much better
tell him straight out now and get It
over. 1t will be ever SO much more
awkward for you if the news reaches
him from outside"
II don't see that at ALL" returned
Betty, quietly, as she drew away from
her companion. Il AM sure that if
# you"
She paused tentatively.
"You don't mean to say that you ex-
,pect me to tell Ted Markham that
you've Tilted him?"
II certainly don't expect you to put
IT in that way" replied Miss Oakhurst,
with little laugh; "but l am quite
certain that you would explain 1t to
the poor fellow much better than any
one else"
''Explain!" exclaimed Nora, impa-
tient!y. 81 don't know that there's
anything toexplain, except that you've
put yourself and me In most ridicu-
lous position"
moral"
II wish I'd never had anything to do
with it. | never felt SO uncomfortab BILE
in my life as I have done since you
dragged me into this precious scheme
of yours"
poor old Moral" murmured Betty
sympathetically, while she cast furtive
glances at the clock.
"You came here and shed any num-
Der of tears; declared that you adored
Ted Markham; that your father
wouldn't hear to an engagement, but
that if you only had little time before
you, you were sure verything would
come right"
$50 it has," remarked Betty soto
voce. "It's only question of point
Of view"
Nora flashed an indignant look at
her
81 think you might be serious now,
and at least pretend that you're
ashamed of yourself. You begged me
to help you to get my aunt to ask him
here, to act as screen, in fact, so that
your people might imagine it was all
over and that you had both changed
your minds, and now-now-"
The sound of bell broke in upon
Miss Helmsley's eloquence, and Betty
caught up her gloves.
"I'm awfully sorry, Nora. Abuse me
as much as you like. Good-by."
And before Nora could stop her she
had darted through the door, and was
on her way downstairs. She let her
~ hf+or oil IL payar woe Of opy ,,ca
to argue with Betty; she was one of
those delightfully."- irresponsible crea-
lures who always manage to shift the
blame of their shortcomings on to 9th
err peoples shoulders, and whom no
one-no man, at any rate-ever dreams
of judging by ordinary standards.
Nora wondered, as she stood there idly
looking into the street, how she could
ever have been foolish enough to take
Betty's love troubles seriously.
Nora sighed as she stood at the win
dow. 1t was topsy-turvy world, and
the wrong people were always being
thrown together. If only
Am disturbing you? was told to
come in here"
Nora started, and the color rushed
to her face.
"Oh, l hadn't heard you come in! Do
sit down. Aunt isn't well. l am so
sorry you should have had the trouble
of calling for nothing, but shehoped
to be able to go until the last moment
Won't you let me give you some tea?"
She spoke with nervous hurry, scarce
ly pausing for an answer.
Ted Markham took the chair she of
fered him, and listened in silence while
she ratified on. Suddenly she stopped,
conscious of his fixed glance.
us anything the matter?" she asked,
In slightly alarmed voice. 1t was
Aurely not possible that he could al
ready have learned Betty's treachery.
Eyes. We can't go on like this, Miss
Helmsley."
mol" Nora felt the color go out of
her face.