The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-02-19

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was only too willing to agree.
But we must sit on the floor,' she
decided "Mr. Scharf might see."
"Ob, hang Scbarf,' began Dudley
but a warm hand seized his persuasive
ly, and again he yielded.
"It's fun to be naughty sometimes, y
said Betty. She was kneeling in the
rear aisle, and as the choir began to
wrestle with an anthem she raised the
tip of her lnquisitive nose above the
high carved back OF the last pew.
But she ducked With sharp exclama-
ton.
"What's up?' asked Jack Dudley
good naturedly. He found Miss Betty
delicious partner in crime, especially
when she seized his hand in that frigh ht-
ened way He almost wished that she
would get a thorough scare-who
knows What she might do.
They're singing without an accom-
paniment,' said Betty with an intense
whisper. land Mr.. Scharf is walking
back to get the effect. He's coming
right this way. On, what shall We
do2"
'.If he should find us," said the guile
full Jack.
"Ob, if he should" Betty breathed.
She sank down in a frightened little
heap while Jack Dudley took her hand
protectingly.
And it was thus that Paul Schart
found them If be had expected it,
his face only showed an incredulous
amazement.
"Miss Carewl" he exclaimed
At the sound of his voice the girls
spirit reassertcd itself. Here" she
answered de6antly.
"Yes; l see you are there" the choir
master said grimly. "But if you
think it is proper position l fail to
agree with YOU" Here Betty turned
a vivid scarlet and snatcbed her hand
away from Jack. IL must request
that you both take your place in the
cbancel." And he turned on his heel.
Something of the cool contempt in
his tone seemed TO rob the two of bra
vado, for they followed him meekly up
the aisle.
To Betty the rest Of the rehearsal
seemed interminable. She refused to
accept the messages of comfort which
Jacks eyes telegraphed her. She
hated him. He Lad made her ridicu-
lous, contemplate, in Paul Scharf's
eyes. This was the end of her Lenten
penitence. or course she must leave
the choir tonight.
Aud so the astonished Jack went
home alone, while Betty waited to
brave her fate.
Paul Scharf closed the keyboard,
with sigh. "Betty--"
Quick as the thought her face smiled
up at him. Beneath her aureole of
hair her eyes met his challengingly.
He could almost feel her warm breath
on his cheek. "Was 50 very naughty,
Paul?" she breathed
Alb, if he might lean over and kiss
those tempting lips? But be drew
himself stiff1y erect as be answered
gravely, "You set very bad example
to the rest of the choir, Miss Carew."
She flushed an angry red. II will
remove the example by resigning,"
she said proudly.
"That must be as you and Mr.. Dud-
ley decide" There was sting in the
words
And then Betty put her head down
on the key board and cried. Oh, clever
Betty She had played coquetry and
defiance in vain But this trump card
-helplessness-she played and won.
Was this the relentless Judge, the
implacable choir master, who called
her Betty and besought her not to
cry?
II was brute to speak to You so,
Betty" he declared remorsefully.
1--we been fool all along. But you'll
forgive me, deares,?" He tried to
catch glimpse Of her face.
Then Betty smiled up at him
through her tears, the old charming
Betty, but with a new humility in her
eyes. II WILL" she said softly, 'jnst
for L.nten penitence'
But when she felt his arms around
her and kisses on her lips l. mt was
forgotten and love reigned su-
preme.
Friend-(over the wine after din
ner) "Your wife is certainly a bril-
liantly handsome woman. I should
think you would be jealous of her,"
II ) st-(confdently) "To tell
you the truth, Seymour, am. !