The new enterprise., 1905-06-22

| sne KNOWS, since she had said no to
him and his shekels, and he would hate
TO pay up his bet; and how she would
| like to own-just one-diamond! Bet
| tvs face is her fortune and has not
brought her any diamonds as yet-only
offers Of them, for an equivalent. But
she can't flirt with Ralph Pyne. She
has, she knows, amused herself little
sometimes with some men, but they
are such idiots. Mr.. Pyne is different;
she can't treat him so. And then she
reclilessly determines to make a clean
breast Of 1t.
"NIr. Pyne, wish you'd do some.
thing for me-"
"With pleasure"
"You can get me a diamond pin II
you like
Delighted, / am sure; but how?"
81 want you to propose to me. Don't
be frightened; I'll say no, and 1 won't
tell till you're gone"
"Oh! a bet, 1 presume" he an
swered a trine grimly.
"Yes, that odous Mr.. Juarez. They
nre all odious, but he is the worst.
lie 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 of friends,
and you're too good sort for that" she
ended a trlfe incoherently, $50 l
thought I might as well tell you about
IT,"
Eyes; uncommonly good natured Of
you. And he's bet a pin" and Mr..
Pyne considers what a charming uncle
Miss Rchecca Cohen owns.
"Yes; l haven't any jewelry, and /
do want TO score of that beast" and
Betty suddenly grew scarlet from an
ger, Her bushes were not in the habit
Of intruding themselves,
Miss Elizabeth Langley, lay my
hand and heart at your feet"
Declined, with thanks" cried Betty
with n peal Of laughter, "Now shake
hands" and they shook hands,
The shower had ceased and Betty
rose to her feet and shook the dead
leaves from her skirts.
For little while Ralph Pyne walked
on in deep meditation. Suddenly he
spoke. "N1iss Betty, what assurance
have you that Juaroz will admit you
have won your bet?'
"What assurance! Isn't my word
enoughY she returned.
ut would make it q good deal surer
IL you told him you were engaged to
me-" he answered calmly.
Betty sprang back, her face pale and
her eyes blazing.
How dare you! How dare you!
And I thought we were friends" she
ended with smothered sob and van
ished among the trees, and Mr., Ralph
Pyne muttered something between his
teeth about an unmitigated fool and
went back to the house.
An hour later a very pale and SUBJ
dued Betty came gliding through the
strawberries, 1t was already evening,
and the house was brightly lit up and
the sound of voices and the click Of
balls sounded from the billiard room.
AS she put her foot on the veranda
Mr. Juarez strolled out Of the open
billiard room window.
"Hullo, Miss Bet" he shouted hilari-
ously, "I've got news for you"
IL am afraid cannot stop to hear it;
the dressing gong has sounded"
ooh, but you've got to stop" he
laughed, laying his fat hand on her
shoulder. 1t was obvious that tea had
not been the afternoon refreshment in
the billiard room.
you've got to stop and hear my
news. Pyne is off, Says he's sent for
by telegram and must be off by the
$40. We know better, don't WEI He's
scared. But don't fret, my dear" he
continued, changing his tone to one Of
maudlin tenderhness, "you shan't be n
loser by him, You shall have your pin
all the same. Now doesn't that deserve
a kiss for thanks"
His odlous arm was round her. Betty
gave a cry Of disgust and twisted her.
self away. At the same moment a
gentle push sent Mr.. Juarez staggering
to the end Of the veranda, and q cool
voice said, "fll thank you to treat this
lady with q little more respect"
"What the dickens have you got to
say to it," shouted Juarez, who was
brought up short by the trellis at the
end Of the veranda and stood leaning
against its friendly support
"Only that she has done me the honor
to promise to be my wife," was the
quiet reply in a different tone to the
impassioned whisper that implored,