The Grit-advocate., 1906-01-26
F1UCdlH]1T AND a
hNSQUQAg2 E1N][uE[g2
VIZ MNM
IolNA


Betty never faced anything square
ly. She had long been such an expert
at lodging an issue that she was COM
monty referred to in her immediate
circle of near and dear ones as THE
Artful Dodger' All through the long,
gay winter she had seen her fate in
the shape of Kenneth Page closing in
about her. Every time she danced,
rode or talked with him she left with
mystic sixth sense that he meditated
q proposal. but her elusiveness warded
1t off. A look of determination in his
eyes. as he bade her good night in the
OpportunC presence of her brother,
convinced her that he would be bad
gered no longer. His look had been
mpressive-almost menacinS-sh de-
cided, and his tone iEsinuating, as he
told her with emphasis that ne would
see her again very soon.
Betty was meditative after he had
gone. She didn't want to meet the
Issue yet, of course. She liked Ken
meth very rnuch-better than she did
any one. but she SHE'D at an engage
ment. She wanted III other summer
and oh. well, she wasn't sure anyway.
She lacked weapons and courage for
an encounter. so she sought her usual
refuge--fight.
She breakfasted with the family the
next morning. which was a rare oc-
currence. When the family were as.
Sembled. she casually announced her
intention of running down to see Aunt
Lydia at the farm for few days. 1t
would be SO restful after all her dissi-
patton. She really was on the verge
of nervous prostration. she declared.
TO her surprise and relief there was
no opposition to this plan.
In her effort to speak and appear in
different, Betty looked at none of her
elders, or she would have seen word
less telegraphy of intelligent glances
exchanged.
"That isn't a bad idea,' said her
mother. Telephone Uncle Homer to
meet you"
Betty did some active work in tele-
phoning and packing in order to be off
before Kenneth should be apprised of
her journey.
"She is running away from Ken
meth" sighed her mother ruefully;
"but it's only fifty miles to the farm"
She'll stay about two days and one
night" prophesied her brother.
The country in the latter part of
February certainly did not appeal to
Betty's eye for the beautiful. The
snow was nearly gone, and the car
riage wheels crumb!ed dismally
through the thin, ice-coated ruts in the
road from the station to the farm.
She tagged her resolution. and when
she stepped into tie big, comfortable
farmhouse with its old-fashioned
bacl-logged fireplace, and was greeted
by the hospitahle welcome of cousins,
uncleS and aunts, she was more cheer
full.
Lizzie Brooks. the stern-featured
spinstered school teacher. dropped in
to Aunt f.ydia's on her way home. She
was in the depths of despair. She
wanted to go away for a week to at.
tend the wedding OF her brother, but
she could find no substitute.
9TH teach school for you for a
week." volunteered Betty, anxious to
burn her ships lest in her loneliness
she return to home and Kenneth. Il
can't teach them anything, but | can
keep it going for You"
The school teacher looked at Betty
doubtfully.
I've taught in the charity kinder
garten and aid schools, remarked
Betty Complacentiy.
Lizzie Brooks Frightened.
Then you can get along with the
first and second reader classes"
ooh, can get along all right
So it was arranged that Betty
should begin her duties on Monday