Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1905-05-12

"Oh, I say! What for? What q
shame!"
my sister has wired she's coming
back from India and will be at
Southampton, and an earthquake
would be a trihe compared to the
tempest if l didn't meet her tomorrow
night"
Betty is silent. He is going to.
morrow and she has just remembered
her bet. She feels rather sick at it
and yet. no. that odious Mr.. Juarez
would chuckle.
And then she recklessly determined
to make a clean breast of it.
"Mr. Pyne, l wish you'd do some
thing for me-"
with pleasure"
you like"
Delighted, l am sure; but how"
81 wan you to propose TO me. Don't
be frightened; III say no, and | won't
tell till you've gone
oh. a bet. | presume?" he an.
swered, a trife grimly.
Yes, that odious Mr.. Juarez. They
are all odious, but he is the worst. He
bet you wouldn't propose, because, you
see, they all do; and then. OF course,
they sulk and uncle swears at me.
But we've been kind friends and
you're too good sort for that she
ended a little incoherently, so |
thought | might as well tell you
about it,"
Yes; uncOmmonly good-natured OF
you. And he's bet a pine"
Yes: / haven't any jewelry and I
do want to score off that beast" and
Betty suddenly grew scarlet from an
ger.
Miss Elizabeth Langley. | lay my
hand and heart at your feet
Declined with thanks cried Betty
with a peal of laughter. Now shake
hands" and they shook hands.
The shower mad ceased and Betty
rose to her feet and shook the dead
leaves from her skirts.
For awhile Ralph Pyne walked on
in deep meditation. Suddenly me
spoke. Miss Betty. what assurance
have you that Juarez Will admit YOU
have won your bet?"
What assurance. Isn't my word
enough" she returned.
ut would make il a good deal surer
if you told him you are engaged to
me- he answered calmly.
Betty sprang back. her face pale aad
her eyes blazing.
How dare you. How dare you.
And | thought We Were friends she
ended with a snlothered sob and van
ished among the trees.
An nour later / very pale and sub.
dued Betty came gliding through he
strawberries. AS she put her foot or
the veranda Mr.. Juarez strolled gu
of the open billlard-room window,
"Hullo. Miss Bet" he shou,c5
hilirlously. i've got news for you"
81 am afraid | cannot stop to heal
it; the dressing gong has sounded
"Oh, but youN Z got to stop he
laughed, laying his fat hand on iel
shoulder.
you've got to stop and hear my
news. Pync is off. Says he's sent foI
by telegram and must be of by tn,
$40. We know better, don't We? Iie'
search. bNl uDl | iItl, NY utdl ~
continued, changing his tone to on
Of maudlin tenderness. you shan't b
a loser by him. You shall have you
pin all the same. Now doesn't that de
serve a kiss for thanks
His odious arm was round her. Ret
ty gave a cry If disgust and twiGte,
herself away. At The same momen al
ungentle push sent ir. Juarez staSSer
ing to The end of the Neranda and
cool voice said IN thank you tt
:, treat this lady with a little more re
-, spect."
What the dickens have you got Il
say to it," shouted Juarez, who wa
f brought up short by the trellis at tn
I end of the veranda and stood leanin.
o against its friendly support.
g "Only that she has lone me tn
d honor to promise Ia lie my Wife, wa
the quiet reply IN a different toae Z
the impassionel whisper that i'm
plored: you wont go back on IN
d now, Betty"
$ Betty was sobb!ng too heartily o.
| his shoulder to say no, t..G siienc
gave consent.