Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-12-09

of the most important young wonlen in America as well as in Europe. Oh my dear, you will have 10 take him Your mother will never forgive you Il you don't, It was quite an understood thing between us when she lent you 10 me that If possible there was 10 bt a match. Your beauty and name, and Pottcrs money. He's really very good fc'low-a temper. perhaps, but ] wouldn't give much for man with out one. and, like most Americans he'll make a splendid husband"
 For some one" murmured,
 "For you, Betty. l assure you, ] darcn't tell the duchess you've definite ly refused Potter. You must be per suaded. Be engaged 10 him. Let him follow you 10 England"
 If l did that l should find myself being married off to him before ] knew"
 Well. and if you did? lt would be because you'd had the chance to change your mind"
 shook my head. "l must go home to England" l said, but Mir. Parker mustn't follow mo"
 Mrs. Ess Rays face hardened.
 I'm afraid if you go home after refusing Potter you'll have T very poor welcome. my child. The duchess has been kind enough 10 take me q little into her confidence. l don't think she would have sent you over with me if she hadn't known something about Potter, and your sisters affairs aren't arranged yet. Oh, you needn't blush and look so indignant. The duchess didn't mind putting her diff culties in letter when l wrote her you weren't behaving quite satisfac. torily, and you may take it from me that at present things stand like this you must go back an engaged girl or else stay away until Lady Victoria is married"
 If mother were different l should have hoped Mrs. Ess Kay was eXag gerating. but as it was l believed her though I did my best 10 be high eye. browed and lncredulous till she re marked that I could sec the duchess letter If liked. though it might be rather embarrassing.
 l was sure it would be and preferred 10 take it's contents on faith. but l was so miserable that 1 had to keep tu tn the tears dropping down. l was tired and forlorn and homesiCk-for Vic and Stan and the dear dogs and everything except mother-and l felt such hor- rible weakness creeping over me that could even imagine myself by and by doing what they meant me to do. 1 thought the best thing was to gain respite lest Mrs. Ess Kay should drag some kind of q concession from me which would have to live up to after ward
 Il cant talk any more about it now" I said. "l believe what you say, but it only makes 1t worse for me to think that mother should have made what amounts to kind of bargain with you. Maybe by tomorrow everything won't seem so dreadful.'
 She got up with relieved air. Per haps even she hadn't been enjoying the conversation.
 "Of course it won't said she Tt won't seem dreadful at all. You've no idea how happy we're all going to be, Now. just you sleep well and dream sweet dreams and you'll wake up feel ing a different girl. Maybe poor Pot ter hasn't been as tactful as he might be. That's because he's too much i'll love 10 be clever But he has love- lv surprise for you tomorrow. Some thing connected with a certain finger of your left hand. I promise you that you'll like it. And now I'm going to leave you in peace for the night
 I can't tell what savage deed l might not have been capable of doing if she had had the idea of kissing me- but she hadn't. She merely patted me on the shoulder and went out leaving me to stare aimlesSly at the door after she had r"'tl'' closed 1t.
 ITO Be Continued