The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-08-04
When Betty
Spoke
BY LOUISE J. STRONG
Copyright, 1905, bp Louise J. Strong

elbow. That had been her Betty's)
place for so long that 1t had come to
be considered And 1t might have
been hers yet If Bert had not Oh,
well, of course she was some to blame.
1t was, not all Bert's fault. She admit
ted that reluctantly, for Betty thought
a good deal of her little self He was
dreadfully provoking, but they would
have made up weeks ago If she had not
gone to such lengths and reared an
impossible barrier between them.
"And that's the truth. Betty Brown
she apostrophized now. "Why did do
such a ridiculous thing? l might Just
have said I'd never speak to him again;
girls always say that. And ought to
have stopped there, but when he
grinned so knowingly, as If there was
nothing in that, as there isn't usually,
l let 1t provoke me into declaring that
If / ever did speak to him again it
would be because 1 had made up my
mind to marry him. Why, 1t will be the
same as proposing If 1 ever speak to
him now, when I've evaded- 1 can
never do it," she sighed.
Bert had not been greatly crushed
by her ultimatum. He spoke to her
cordially at every opportunity in spite
of her nonresponse with something like
elated expectancy in his manner that
stung Betty to a more determined stub
bornness.
II suppose he thinks 1 will, but he'll
see," she said firmly.
She had persisted in ignoring him
icily until at length he seemed to con-
clude that it was hopeless and avoided
meeting her. All the time, Of course,
Betty had been hoping he would, some
how, make her speak, though she would
not have confessed it, nor the disap-
pointment she felt at his finally aban-
doning his efforts and accepting the
situation.
She flirted desperately, which gave
her small satisfaction, as 1t apparently
did not disturb him in the least He
flirted, too, and so fervidly that 1t be-
gan to look serious in regard to Addie
Stark. Betty felt that she was losing
oil luh VI llIC dhQ ull Tic joy do
well.
She had simulated successfully q
gayety of spirits almost boisterous at
the moonlight skating party, but had
really been SO miserable at seeing those
two, Bert and Addie, gliding about, al
ways together, that she had deter
mined not to go to the coasting route.
She had refused all offers of escort, but
now, at the passing of the gay party,
she suddenly changed her mind, whip
ped on her suit, tucked the becoming
cap on her curls and darted after Ned
and his chum, who had just started.
''Taggingv' Ned chaffed. But he
made no objection, for Betty was as
good at coasting as any boy Of them,
fully as fearless and as fleet footed,
and now she rushed with them down
alleys, through back yards and over
fences, going across lots the nearest
way.
Thus when the crowd arrived Miss
Betty was triumphantly sailing down
the longest, steepest course with the
yelling boys, cheered by the mob Of
town youths usually on the hill
Most Of the girls confined themselves
to the short, easy slope at the side, I'M
less in charge of strong, capable es-
cort.
ut is dangerous, just with those
boys, Betty" demonstrated her friend,
Alice Hoover.
"And it is unladylike for girl to go
floundering down with a gang Of fell
lows" commented Addie Stark, super
ciliously.
"You don't dare to, that's ALL" Betty
retorted.
I'm not the only one. Bert said"-
Bert's appearance cut short the
speech, and, laughing shrilly, Betty ran
away to the boys and coaxed them
over to still sleeper spot, where only
the more skillful and daring ventured.
Her blood was boiling! So Bert had
been criticising her to Addie! 1t
seemed the boldest treachery. AS for
Addie-the little cat!-she was envious
because she had not the courage to I'M
dertake the long descent She looked
scornfully over at Bert, taking tame
little flights, with Addie clinging to him
shrieking in exaggerated fear. Betty
knew how he loved the rush of the long
hill, with the jounce at the end that
sent them flying across the bottom.
They had taken it together many times.
Now It was unladylike Of her, was it
and she with her own brother!
Her Indignation grew, and with 1t her
recklessness. Little by little she drew
the boys toward the post that bore a
danger sign, which marked the limit
of the coasting ground. Beyond the
post the hill was fine, but at the foot
the railroad swung up against 1t as 1t
curved to cross the river. and it was
not easy to see train till 1t was close
1t hand. 1t was plainly no place for
eoasting, though a few ventured at
times, the spice of danger adding zest
TO the sport.
Betty had always wanted to swoop
down and fly across the track, perhaps
catching. sight of an oncoming train. 1t
would be thrilling! But she had no In
tention of undertaking 1t now, though
In the mood to go as near 1t as pos
sible.
LOOK out, Nedy' some one called.
You're getting too close there! Better
come back"
"There isn't a bit of danger" Betty
laughed as they flashed by.
"But you'd better come over here"