The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-07-21
When Betty
Spoke
BY LOUISE J. STRONG
Copyright, 1905, by Loutsc j. Strong


Betty pceped out cautiously. She
would not have them sec her for Il for
tune. Yes. there was Bert, the center
OF the jolly crowd. and Adtlie Mt his
elbow. That had been her (Bctty's)
place for SO long that it had come to
bc considered And ii might have
been hers yet if Bcrt ha,hnot- oh.
well. OF course sh" was some to blame.
1t was not all Bevts fault. She admit
ted that reluctantly. for Betty thought
COOL deal Of her little self He was
drcadfully provoking. but they would
have made up weeks ago IL she had not
gone to such lengths and reared an
impossible barrier between them.
"And that's the truth, Betty Brown
she apostrophizcd now. "Why did 1 Go
such a ridiculous thing? 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
Grinned so knowingly. aI If there was
nothing I'm that. us there isn't usually:
I let 1t provoke me into declaring that
If l ever did speak to him again 1t
would he because l had made up nv
mind to marry him. Why. 1t will be the
same as proposing if | ever speak to
him now. when I've evadcd- can
never do it." she sighed
Bert had not been greatly crushed
by her ultimatum. lie spoke to her
cordially ut every opportunity III spite
Of her nonresponse with something like
elated expectancy in his manner that
stung Betty to 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 Mt length he seemed to con-
clude that 1T 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 it apparently
did not disturb him In the least. He
Hirted, 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 all the joy as
we'll.
She had simulated successfully
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, Mt 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.
Tagging" 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
tn" 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 ut the side, un-
less I'm charge of q strong, capable es-
cort
1T is dangerous, just with those
boys, Betty" demonstrated her friend,
Alice Hoover.
"And it is unladylike for girl to go
foundering down with gang of fel-
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 a still sleeper spot, where only
the. more skillful and daring yentured..