The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-11-16
BETTY'S
CHARMS
BY ANGELINA W. wRAY



as he watched his pretty cousin swing
ing idly back and forth in the ham
mock, 4 wish my friend, Elmer Fen
ley. could see you"
Betty sat up straight and manifest
ed new interest in life.
"Why?" she demanded
oh because" and John sighed as
If the topic was not attractive.
because what?"
Why. nothing much. Only he SAYS
he is sure that love is a delusion, and
his own ideal is so high that no girl
could possibly come up to It. He
says he doesn't know how she would
look, for looks are of no consequence
anyhow, but there are some things at
which be does draw the line"
What are they pray2"
One is" and John gave a tremend-
GUS yawn THAT she shall not have a
pug nose"
Obi" the occupant Of the ham
mock tried in vain to see the tip-tilted
end Of her own small member John
chuckled silently over the success Of
his first shot.
Well, what else?"
He says she mustn't have red hair
Not even the slightest tinge Of au-
burn, because red-haired people have
such hot tempers"
Indeed" sharply Anything
more?"
Well, It's funny, but he says he
couldn't loye-if there is such a thing
as love-a girl who would allow her
self to be called by a nickname. For
instance. he mentioned the quaint,
stately name of Elizabeth, and said
there must be something radically
wrong with a person whose friends
would persist In calling her Betty in
stead of her rightful cognomen.
Through half-closed eyes he sur
veyed the effect of his words. Betty's
cheeks were flushed and she looked
prettier than ever.
You're the biggest tease" she said
with indignation. why do you want
him to see me If he feels that way?"
John smiled. 1T would be such
good joke If he fell in love with you,
Betty. He's a right good fellow, If he
wasn't SO conceited. 1t would do him
a world Of good to meet a nice girl.
And you certainly have taking ways.
If your nose does turn up, and your
hair is red. I'll bring him around
after tea. Do your best for him,
Betty"
Il shall hate him, know. But you
may bring him" and Betty, sinking
back among the cushions. spent the
remainder Of the hot afternoon in plot
ting against the strangers peace Of
mind.
Fenley was tall, thin young man,
remarkable for the dignity Of his man
ners, and the gravity with which he
regarded mankind. For women he
had no leisure, regarding them as
airy trifles, changeahle as the wind"
Between his brows was a straight lit
tie frown, which deepened percepubly
as his friend remarked that evening:
"Oh. by the way. Fenley, my cousin
Betty and her little brother are visit
ing mother just now 1 want you to
meet the former She's the jolliest
girl I know"
"Betty?" Fenley lifted his eye
brows in mute depreciation. Il dislike
the name. and am not partial to jolly /
girls"
4 know, old fellow But youn like \
this one, Everybody does. she's just
splendid
Il would rely more on her little
brothers opinion Of that was the
quiet answer. "The small boy is apt
to be a pretty good Judge"
A few moments later Fenley was
shaking hands with the young lady in
question. conscious Of vague feeling
OF surprise and bewilderment. He saw
a sweet, merry face from which pair
Of dark eyes looked out frankly He
saw, too, that the soft, fluffy hair was
red; the prettiest shade of that color
to be sure, but of an unmistakeable
hue The nose, tip-tilted
in the sauciest way, was an audaeious
pug and yet in spite OF all these dis
advantages. the girl was daindly pret-
ty, conscious of her own charms, and
moreover, that Fenley, the
dignifled. Fenley, the cynical, was sur
veying her with something that GER
tainly was not criticism.
He stayed an unconscionably long
time. and went home with his brain in
a whirl All his preconceiyed ideas had
been scattered by few glances from
a girls bright eyes.
"Her hair is red, said his judgment,
coolly.
"Its awful pretty replied fancy.
"And she has a pug nose"
Il like it, after all"
But her name is Bettx." urged
judgment in triumph.
"A dear little name. It suits her.
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