The Cairo bulletin., 1908-02-25
WITH BETTY'S
ASSISTANCE.
by Jane Bracken.

Billy Manning entered his clu
with an air OF satisfaction ut bein
once more within familiar walls
Two years OF hard hunting In Africi
makes a man appreciate more keenl
the comforts OF civilization. Bill.
found a goodly amount OF mail q
waiting him and turned TO II with In
terest.
"HelloH' he calculated as he open
ed the first letter on the pile, "Bett,
has timed my arrival to nicely
Wants me to dine with them tonight
, at 6. Six! Now, that's uncommonly
early: unless they're taking In the
| play afterward. Perhaps that's it,
His other letters remained un-
! opened and he fell to thinking Of
Betty. Her note was characteristic
OF her; breezy and cheerful, just as
she was herself He remembered that
she had always seemed rather fond
of him. In the old days, and now that
the other affair was forgotten
Somehow, though, he couldn't imag-
Inc Betty as ever being entirely over.
come by the divinee passions she
was too matfer4of-fact; too light
hearted, too; he knew that, and on
the whole Yes, he decided family,
he thought he would accept the In
vitation.
AT the stroke Of 6, armed with d
bunch OF American Beauties. he rang
the bell and was ushered into the
reception room, Betty did not keep
him waiting long: she came In almost
immediately and greeted him warmly
Welcome home, stranger she
laughed. seating herself on a divan |
and making room for him beside her. |
You're looking well. Billy" she con-
tinued, throwing back her head and |
cycling him critically; decidedly /
well, considering the broken heart
you carried away with you. I re-
member you declared to me that the
sun would never look bright to you
again.
Billy smiled. Africa has done
wonders he replied. "Once more L
am heart-whole and fancy-free. That
Isl he added, signing, II was until
! saw you come into the room. NowI
- he sighed again and spread out
his hands In gesture of hopeful
ness, Its all up with me.
You do that verp nicely, Billy"
she said. If ! didn't know you as
we'll as do, I should be deceived |
into thinking YOU had really forgot
ten Ethel.
Billy was staring thoughtfully In
TO the fire that glowed in the CRATE.
How ls--- he was Obliged to
stop and clear his throat. How ID II
Mrs. DENLY, now"
Betty fairly bounced around mpon
the divan era sAsad him aaaarelY
Mrs. Denbyl" she almost scream 4
ID. "BilIy Manning, do yon mean to
ell me that you have stagnated In
hat detestable Africa. not knowing
hat Ethel Dudley never became Mrs
oenby, nor Mrs. anybody else? No; /
hes still Ethel Dudley" n
But buf---she told me herself. /
hammered Billy, "that she was go
ne to marry DENLY. she begged 10
e released from her engagement
sith me. i
Bah! Billy Manning" said Betty In
ontemptousiy, you see that the i
DOR girl was driven to it by her mo-
her.
This takes me back little. Bet
"" he said. his voice hoarse and
nsteady. "I-wI-had no idea Of
uch thing"
Poor boy" whispered Betty COM
asIonately, poor boy. But perhaps
can suggest a cure. Suppose
houid tell you that Ethel is as i'm
,nsolable as you are?f' q
Don't hold out false hope to =
lie. Betty"
'No, not false one" said Betty "
arnestly; mot false one. Billy,
Then you went away, Ethel asserted
erself and refused to marry Rufus
enby. I've been in her confidence y
Il the time and know she has sniff q.
red terribly. She talks necessarily "
I you. and sometimes" she sighed
EARLY, 81 almost grow tired Of lis-
sning. She doesn't know you are
ack; planned little surprise for :
or. Now, Billy, listen. She's here -
this house; in the library. LEFT y
sr there with instructions to wait "
ntil / returned. You go TO her In ~.
cad. Take her right in your arms. :
lily, and have It over with quickly.
ere. take your roses"
But | bought them for you" in -
rrupted Billy. N
For me- Nonsense, Billy Mann y
g. Roses for me. az 81 apiece.
pure Joking. But wait; I'll take
lie. II you please. as reward for a,
y good Offices"
Billy detached a rose an6 handed :.
TO her.
Thank you. Billy" she said care -
sally. Now run along; YOU have -
hour and a half. Dinner IL az h
Go. CO." and she pushed him to-
ard the door. almost historical in d
r eagerness. n
II wonder" she unused and look
wistfulness crept into her eyes.
lilly seemed really glad to see me-lA
d he brought the roses for me-ItU