River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-05-18

"But, alas! shan't go to the Lori
raers' dance, anyhow. I am of to-
morrow"
"oh, / say! What for? What a
shame!"
my sister has wired she's coming
Southampton, and an earthquake
would be a trifie compared to the
tempest If l didn't meet her tomorrow
night"
Betty is silent He is going to-
morrow apd 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 clean breast of it.
"Nr. 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 / won't
tell till you've gone"
ooh! 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 little incoherently, 80 I
thought | might as well tell you
about it"
Eyes; uncommonly good-natured OF
you. And he's bet a pin?"
eyes; | haven't any jewelry and l
do want to score off that beast" and
Betty suddenly grew scarlet from an
ger.
miss Elizabeth Langley, l lay my
hand and heart at your feet"
Declined with thanks" cried Betty
with 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 he
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.
"It would make it a good deal surer
if you told him you are engaged to
me-" he answered calmly.
Betty sprang back, her face pale and
her eyes blazing.
GLOW. dare you! How dare you!
And l thought we were friends" she
ended with sE.othered sob and van
ished among the trees.
An hour later a very pale and SUBJ
strawberries. AS she put her foot on
the veranda Mr.. Juarez strolled out
of the open billiard-room window.
"Hullo, Miss Bet" he shouted
hilariously, 1--WE got news for you"
81 am afraid / cannot stop to hear
It; the dressing gong has sounded"
"Oh, but you've got to STOP" he
laughed, laying his fat hand on her
shoulder.
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 we? He's
scared. But don't fret, my dear" he
continued, changing his tone to one
of maudlin tenderness, "you shan't be
a loser by him. You shall have your
pin all the same Now doesn't that de-
serve a kiss for thanks?"
His odious arm was round her. Bet
ty gave cry of disgust and twisted
herself away. At the same moment an
ungentle push sent Nlr. Juarez stagger-
ing to the end of the veranda and a
cool voice said: "Ill thank you to
treat this lady with little more re-
spect."
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 different tone to
the impassioned whisper that inn
plored: "You won't go back on me
now, Betty?"
Betty was sobbing too heartily on
his shoulder to say no, and silence
gave consent.