The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-07-18
Miss Befty's
Cavalier
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowies,
BY zona Gale

| rectors heart was beating. There was
nothing formidable about the great
gabled house; yet, as he walked up
the drive his agitation increased.
There was glimpse Of pink muslin
on the veranda that was most dis
Quieting.
However, he went on, and a bend
in the drive revealed Miss Betty Sheri-
dan standing upon a chair training
roses. The picture, which would have
agitated even q quiet heart, caused the
rector to contemplate retreat. Instead,
being brave man, he stood at the
foot Of the steps and said gently:
Good morning, Miss Betty"
Betty looked down and nodded be-
witchingly, and stopped to extend her
hand over the back OF the chair.
You'll forgive my not getting
DOWN." she asked. This is a critical
moment Max, please find Mr.. Armory
\ chair"
From the vine-covered piazza came
forth a big, languid figure, who gave
the final touch to the uneasiness OF
the rector. Since his coming to the
parish of st. Luke's, three months be-
fore, and since he had first seen Betty
Sheridan on the same day, he had felt
a secret and most un-Christian repug-
nance for this big cavalier, who seem
ed always within sound of her voice.
How do, Mr.. Armory?" said the big
cavalier in flannels, looking uncom.
fortably andsome-uncomfort to
the rector. Come up and be cool. It's
a pretty warm morning"
Very" admitted the rector. "Ah-
very"
You ought not to be so busy this
warm weather." volunteered Betty
and Betty was never so alluring as
when she advised people for their own
good. The rector was guilty con.
scious of an involuntary and passing
sweet impression of the probable di-
vineness of her real tenderness IL she
could be like this when she didn't
care.
my duties are my pleasures" said
the rector. This, for instance, Miss
Sheridan"
The rector sighed.
| This big cavalier in fannels, with
hands that one instantly knew could
send a ball over a net or across a
course with unerring stroke, was very
| like what the rector himself dreamed
in his college days of becoming. This
cavalier was one of her world-of
Betty Sheridan's world. But to the
rector had come the struggle that had
ended in his taking orders, and some
way since his coming to this some
what distracted parish there had been
no time to lift either his golf sticks or
| his foils from their long rest. Instead,
| there had been a ceaseless round of
| visits-which reminded him:
Miss Betty" he said. Il have come
TO enlist your sympathy this morn
| ing"
"Oh! The Bolan family?" hazarded
Betty, twitching at troublesome
| bough
"No-the Chapmans," said the rec.
tor earnestly. They are in a very
bad way"
rs the Chapman boy out Of a posi-
tion again?" Betty wanted to know,
with resignation, holding a glorious
blush rose to her face.
Il think not But poor Agnes has
had a severe fall" said the rector.
"She will be quite helpless. they fear,
for months"
The rose bough flew up with little
puff of fragrance. and Betty stepped
down from the chair, and sat opposite
the rector.
oh" she said, "the poor girl!
What will they do? I'll go see her to-
day"
II thought that you would" said the
rector, with little catch In his
breath. Betty's face was even more
beautiful when she was in earnest
than when she was mocking.
why, yes" said the big cavalier in
the doorway; "I'll drive you over after
luncheon, Betty But you'll have to he
back for the tennis finals, you know"
Yes, Max" said Betty, without
looking at him. "And will you ask
your mother II we may have some of
her roses, too? I am so sorry, Mr..
Armory. We will not fail you"
The Reverend Mr., Armory was
ashamed OF his sinful rebellion at that
1--WE" The very fact that Betty did not
look at the big cavalier when he talk
ed. and that she ordered him about
and took him and his mothers roses
for granted, disturbed the rector's
peace of mind.
Sitting beside poor Agnes Chapman
that afternoon, the Reverend Mr.. Ar.
mory experienced sore trials Of the
spirit. His heart, which went out to
the stricken girl, at the same time
bounded 80 suddenly at the lightest
football outside that he was deeply. in
doubt as to his right to be there at all,
engaged In ministrations. When at
last Betty appeared In the doorway
with her arms filled with roses, not
even the memory of whose motheri