The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-06-28

uoluiub AoluluaDle ABOUT lne 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 bend
in the drive revealed Miss Betty Sheri-
dan standing upon a chair training
roses. The picture, which would have
agitated even quiet heart, caused the
rector to contemplate retreat. Instead.
being q brave man, he stood at the
foot Of the steps and said gently:
Good morning, Miss Betty"
Retty 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
a chair"
From the uncovered piazza came
forth a big. languid figure who gave
the final touch to tie vneasiness 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 hannels, looking uncom-
fortably handsome -uncomfcrtably to
the rector. Come up and be cool It's
pretty warm morning."
Very" admitted the rector All
very"
You ought not to be 80 busy this
warm weather" volunteered Betty
and Betty was never so alluring as
when she advised people for their own
good
MY duties are my pleasures" said
the rector. This, for instance. Miss
Sheridan
This hig cavalier in flannels. with
hands that one instantly knew could
send 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-oi
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 beer
no time to lift either his golf sticks ol
his foils from their long rest Instead
there had been ceaseless round o
visits-which reminded him:
Miss Betty" he said. Il have come
to enlist your sympathy this morn
ing"
Poor Agnes has had a severe fall
she VIII be quite helpless. they fear
for mC hs."
The rose bough few up with littl
puff Of fragrance, and Betty steppel
down from the chair, and sat opposit
the rector.
4Oh," she said. the poor girl
What win they do2 III 80 see her L
day"
u thought that you would. said IN
rector, with little catch in hi
breath. Betty's face was even NOR
beautiful when she was In earnes
than when she was mocking.
why, yes" said the big cavalier
the doorway; I'm drive you over afte
luncheon. Betty. But you'll have 70 b
hack for the tennis finals. you know
YES, Max" said Betty, withot
looking al him. And will you as
your mother II We may have some I
her roses. too? am SO sorry, Nj
Armory. We viii not fail you"
The Reverend Mr.. Armory wa
ashamed Of his sinful rebellion at tn;
eve. The very fact that Betty did nj
look at the big cavalier when he tai
ed, and that she ordered him abol
and took him and his mothers ros.
for granted disturbed the rector
peace Of mind.
Sitting beside poor Agnes Chapms
that afternoon. the Reverend Mr..
mcry experienced sore trials OF Il
spirit. His heart, which went out
the stricken girl. at the same tin
bounded so suddenly at the lighte
football outside that he was deeply
doubt as to his right to be there at a
engaged in minlstrations. When
last Betty appeared in the doorwi
with her arms filled with roses, n
even the memory Of whose mother
roses they were could put out the su
den passionate Joy In the rectol
eyes. He sat mutely near while b
" bent over the sick girl. and Betty
hair II the sun, Betty's little hand
the coarse spread Betty's wonderi
voice filled the shabby room with We
der. The Reverend Mr.. Armory wal
ed to the window to hide his emotiC
And outside. stepping leisurely In t
beating sun Of the steep little sire
his eye fell upon bay horse and
low phaeton and the big cavalier
waiting patiently for Betty.
The rector then turned from I
window, his eyes hardening.
Don't let US detain you too loi
Miss Sheridan he said evenly. 1T
very hot in the street-for your frie