The Van Buren press., 1903-12-26
Their New Leaf.
By FREDERICK NJ. SMITH

songs to Betty anu INC oS
watching the old year out together'
At least that was what we were sup
posed to be watching; in reality l was
more taken up with looking at Betty
She had on a gown all of black, low
at the throat, and with wide lace
sleeves which fell back and showed the
roundings OF her arms, says "oih-
ans Home Companion,
What are you thinking about! she
asked, suddenly looking around at me
THAT the Graces are four and the
Venuses two as our friend, Mr.. Dop-
son. has gracefully put it," answered
Betty made moue
Whatever induced you to put on
that fIock?" | asked.
ITO honor the New Year, OF course
said Betty. I'm sorry you don't ap-
preciate it.
But | do" said l.
You take my dressing for you too
much as a matter of course"
"How's the newest gown coming
on?" said |,
1T won't be ready till next week
You'll wear it to the Halves din
ner?"
"Ill save it for the assembly, eX-
pect TO go to the Halves dinner with
John Graham" she submitted after
little pause,
lifted my eyebrows,
Its better" said Betty.
Terrible punishment" said |. But
what's the crime?
Nothing in particular" said Bet
ty, "only think I've been seeing too
much OF a certain man. I'm going TO
turn over a new leaf When the clock
strikes twelve shall begin"
81 nope the next page will not be
devoid of illustration" said |.
She ignored my sarcasm. Il shall
be"
Nicer" said l.
LESS accessible" said Betty. "Peo-
pie are talking"
81 thought they had been talking so
long they had nearly finished, said |
And | really think ought to see
less of him"
why do you talk nonsense" said l.
81 think he ought not to take me to
more than one dance a month"
Make 1t none" said |.
Nor send me orchids and violets
every week"
Better bar roses, too" said l.
You're going to make It hard for
me to turn the leaf" said Betty.
There's a way out" suggested.
WHAT" she asked
Eve told you often enough"
IL thought we weren't going to talk
OF that for a long time said Betty.
VERY well" said l. "Of course you
will have your own way, Youll go to
| the dinner with Graham, and to the
next play with Curtin, and let Lee take
| you sleighing. 1t will not be a new
| leaf, but the old one. After all, what
do | haye?-tea occasionally, walk
at intervals and a dance rarely"
rs that all?" said Betty,
quite ALL" said |, and picked up
the poker and fell to prodding the
| Goals.
Betty moved her chair little nearer
the CRATE, and then leaning over and
resting her chin in her hands she
watched my movements
81 put on purple and fine linen for
him, and begin the year with him, "
she unused, "but don't believe he ap-
preciates IT, Yes, | must really turn
| over new leaf
didn't answer. Clck-cllck-cllck
went the mantel clock Then cling
clng-cling It began to measure OFF the
hour Of ~. outside, bells could be
heard carolIng, and from somewhere
out in the winter night came the
sound OF gun.
ITS new year" she announced,
solemnly Il wonder whore wen be
in another twelve months?"
Let's hope here" said l.
Wherever you are you will look
back, and say Last year at this
minute was with Betty Mallard--
and | was not in as good humor as
| should have been, she finished,
darling glance at me over her shoul.
! der
The clock went on,
II want It to be good year TO you,
George said Betty suddenly and she
put out her hand TO mine.
nodded over to her ClIck-clIck-
click went the clock, Unconscously |
began counting the minutes. Then
lost count, and only looked at the
Goals
"Tea occasionally, walk At inter-
walls and n dance rarely; Is that all ?"
musod Betty,
Not quite ALL G0ld !, turning my
hand a little 80 that my fingers caspcd
hers tighter
Cling" went the clock for the half
! hour
IT'S awfully late" said Betty,
Must go?'
ron New Yonr's one must make OK.
captions" said Betty
Cling" went the clock again, this
time for the hour
II suppose ! must CO." said /, got.