Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-09-08
When Betty
Spoke
By LOUISE >. STRONG
-
~ LOUISE J.


place FOR 50 long that Il had come tc
be considered And IL might have
been hers yet n Bert had not oh,
well. Of course she was some to blame.
II was not all Bcrt's fault. She admit
ted that reluctantly, for Betty thought
a good deal OF ncr little self. lie was
drcadfully provoking. but they would
have made Up weeks ago II she had not
gone to such lengths and reared an
impossible barrier between them.
"And that's the truth. Betty Brownr'
she ap~Ostrophlzed now. "Why did I dc
such a ridiculous thing7 l might Just
have said I'd never speak to him again;
girls always say that And l ought to
have stopped there, but when he
grinncd 80 knowingly, MS II there was
nothing IN that, MS there isn't usually,
/ let It provoke me into declaring that
II l ever did speak to him again It
would be because l had made up my
mind to marry him. Why, It viii be the
same as proposing II / ever speak to
him now, when I've evaded- / can
never do IT," she sighed.
Bert had not been greatly crushed
by her ultimatum. He spoke to her
cordially ut 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
sec" she said firmly.
She had persisted in ignoring him
icily until at length he seemed to con-
elude 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 II, nor the disap-
polntment she felt at LIS finally aban-
dOning his efforts and accepting the
situation.
She hirted desperately, which gave
her small satisfaction, as 1t apparently
did not disturb him In the least. He
1irted, too. and so fervidly that It be-
gan to look serious in regard to Addie
Stark. Betty felt that she was losing
all the fun Of life and oil the Joy as
well.
She had simulated successfully a
gayety Of spirits almost boisterous at
the moonlight skating party, but had
really been SO miserable at seeing those
two, Bert and Addle, 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 tho passing Of the gay party,
she suddenly changed her mind, whip
ped on her suit. tucked the becoming
cap On her curls and darted nfter Ned
and his chum, who had just started.
"TnggingF' Ned chaffed. But he
made no objection, for Betty was rs
good at coastlng as any boy OF them.
fully as fearless and as feet 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 trlumphantly 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, un-
less in charge Of a strong, capable es-
cort.
TT IS dangerous. just with those
boys. Betty" demonstrated her friend.
Alice Hoover.
And 1t is unladylike for n girl TO go
1oundering down with a gang Of fell
dows," 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 md cOaxed them
Oyer to n still sleeper spot. where only
the more skillful and daring ventured.
Her blood was boiling! So Bert had
been crltlcising her to Addict II
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 cllnglng TO him
shrleklng In exaggerated fear. Betty
knew how he loved the rush Of the long
hill, with the jounce ut tho end that
sent them flying across the bottom.
They had taken 1t together many times.
Now 1t was unladylike OF her. was it
and she with her own brother!
Her indignation grew. and with IT her
Tocklessness. 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 II Is It
curved to cross the river. and It was
not easy to see a train TIL II was close
AZ hand. Il was plainly nc place for
codsting. though q few ventured az
times. the spice OF danger adding zest
TO the sport
Betty had always wanted TO swoop
down and ny across the track. perhaps
catching sight OF an oncoming train. II
would be thrilling. But she had no IN
tention OF undertaking It now. though
IN the mood to SO as near 1t as pos
Eiblo.
look out. Eeds some one called.
-You'rc getting too close there! Better
come back"
ssrhnra fan,f n btf or dan0ar - Patty