Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-12-08

ton OF any trouble you had given. bui
dinner and Saturday to Monday al
most would lie quite enough
So 1t was all arranged, even to the
details of my homecoming and the
price to be paid for returning me, Ike
4 parcel, to my owner! Suddenly |
remembered the words had overheard
ut the window Of the den. "rhe ques
tion Is what Is to be done with BettyT
Mother had evidently been so anx'
Ious to have the question answered
that she had at once taken measures
to settle it. But why should anything
be done with me? Nothing ever had
been so far. except when ! was sent
last autumn to stop with my aunt. and
she was so much annoyed because my
Cousin Loveland came home unexpect'
edly that after that could do nothing
to please her and was packed back to-
Battlemead Towers In disgrace. Il
never could understand for what crime.
"How did Miss Ess-I mean Mrs.
Observation-Disclosures TO ask for a
visit from me?" ventured to wrigsle
out, like worm who isn't sure wheth-
er ii had better turn or not was
certain that for some reason of her
own mother had suggested the idea,
II only hypocrltically. But she seemed
almost too frank as she answered, and
1t was frightening not even to be
snubbed.
Il told you today that she had taken
fancy to you. my dear OF course
she could not hope to secure Victoria.
even If she preferred her. for Victoria
has important engagements which Will
carry her through the season and after.
ward to Cowes and up to Scotland for
the shooting ut Dorloch castle. But you
are still almost child. and children
do not. have engagements. Neverthe
less you are Lady Betty Bulkeley. the
Duke Of Stanforths sister, and as such.
though In yourself you are an unim-
portant little person. it's not lnpossi'
BILE that as a member Of your family
these Americans may think you worth
cultivating. One hears that they wor-
ship titles
"I'm sure they can't worship them
as much as some people In our own
country who haven't got them do" |
cried. defending Americans for Miss
Woodburn's sake. "Vic says
Never mind what Victoria says"
returned mother. The less yon think
on these subjects the better, my dear
Betty. merely hinted at a possible
and partial incentive to these peoples
friendship for you. so that you need
not feel it incumbent to be oppressive.
ly grateful. you know. should wish
you to keep your dignity among for
eigners, even though you would. Of
course. look upon Mrs. Stuyvesant
Knox as. In way, your guardian.
Now | must call Thompson and have
her put me into my dinner dress, as
there Is no more time to waste. When
Mrs. Stuyvesant-Knox speaks Of your
visit you will know what to say"
mumbled something vaguely duti.
ful and began to dress as quickly as
could. But the more ! thought Of 1t
the more felt that hadn't been fair
ly treated, to be disposed Of In such an
offhand way. After all. am eighteen.
and Il person Of eighteen isn't child.
I'm not sure wasn't pouting when
Vic came in. ready for dinner. asking
II she should fasten up my frock.
had nearly finished it, for practice has
made ME almost as clever as a con.
jurer about manipulating my hands
behind my back. but when Vic few at
me and began giving useless little
touches | guessed that she wanted to
whisper something In my ear without
mother seeing. II she should happen to
prance in at the wreng moment, as
she often does.
look here, Betty, are you going to
be a good little girl and do what you're
bid without making fuss" she asked
In quick, low voice.
I'm not certain yet" said |. "Pm
thinking 1t over | don't see why
should be sent or Gcross the water
with strangers at moments notice.
and ~
"'Tisn't O moments notice. It's five
days. They're not sailing till Wednes-
day. and as they've suit engaged
the best on the ship, Mrs. Ess Kay
says-your going won't put them out
bit, and they'll love having you. AS
for the why's and wherefores, mothers
been telling you. hasn't sheY'
"She talked about my health and
valuable experiences and a lot Of
things In the air, but l feel there's
something behind It. and hate mys-
| teries"-
"If I can convince you it's for the
good Of the family In general, II not
yours In particular, will you be nice
white woolly lamb and 90 with your
kind little American friends2" Vic
broke in, with her head on my shoul.
der aud an arm slipped around my
waist.
Mrs. Ess Kay's neither little nor
kind" said I, ''but Of course I'll do
anything to help If only I'm treated
like a rational, grownup human be-
ing"
"And 60 you shall be. told mother