Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-08

color, a clear complexion, and an abundance OF SOFT,
very soft, black hair Betty had winsome way too,
which far add to her attractions. She was abb
soutey unaffected and had not scrap of vanity in
her disposition
She was the only child of rich old couple who lived
for her. and for her alone Their place called Rosyn
Towers and situated in the southwest of England
Betty had cousin who lived with her-a statuesque,
handsome girl called Mabel Kinross; but where every
one loved Betty enjoyed her presence, showed marked
preference for her society, Mabel won few friends
Mabel put this down the fact that Betty was rich and
she poor and dependent She had not been three
months in the house with her cousin before she became
intensely Jealous of her; before she took absolute
dislike that merry laugh, that pleasant voice those
eyes which could dance at will when pleased or eX-
cited. Mabel herself could do none of these things
She intense she selfconscous in reality she
very vain.
Not far from Rosyn Towers was a farmhouse of the
old-fashoned ideal type Roses climbed round the lat
tice windows and peeped in at the low front door
Betty loved the farm She loved old Mr.. and Mrs.
Moore the of the place. and she was always ex-
ceent friends with their summer boarders.
Shortly after Mabel Kinross came to Roslyn Towers
as a permanent home, two arrived at the Manor
farm. Betty preferred girl visitors, with whom she
could make immediate friends but Mabel was secretly
pleased to have to talk to. The names of Mrs
Moores paying guestsas she invariably called them
were John Lugard and Douglas Studley. Lugard was
forty years If age-a thin wiry with iron
gray hair and resoute face. He belonged to the great
firm of Lugard Co., merchants in Lombard street and
had wealth than he knew what to do with Stud
ley was twenty-6ve--ta erect, with breezy open-ar
OF face, keen brown and very upright
He artist, and had come to the farm in order
occupy his entire holiday in making sketches and
studies for his next Academy picture The usual thing
happened. Both fell in love with Betty Roslyn;
both men determined to win her
Lugard rich Studey poor. Betty loved Stud
ley, and did not in the least for John Lugard On
the other hand, her father and mother earnestly de-
sired her marriage with the rich merchant They liked
him for himself He was, in truth, frst-rate fellow,
and although little old for the pretty bright girl had
much to recommend him.
1t of the question for Douglas Studley to
marry his present income but love nothing i'm
possible. He would wait, and win the day. Betty was
altogether on his side
NOW, it so happened that Mabel Kinross-cod, ap-
~ parenty heartless-had ~lso fallen in love with
Douglas Studley She kept the fact well to herself but
it consumed her heart day and night making her look
quite thin and If she mad disked Betty before
the arrival of Lugard and Studey her feelings toward
her now those of active hatred. What could
she do to prevent marriage between Studley ana
Betty?
Betty was only twenty-one She was spoiled darl-
ing At any moment her fat and mother might give
way They could easily provide the girl with sufficient
money enable the young people to marry and be
happy and by-and-by Studley who remarkably
clever artist, would earn great deal for himself
These things happened in the summer and autumn OF
the year In the early spring of Betty danced
into the room where Mabel kinross busily engaged
writing letters She flew up to her cousin flung her
arms round her neck and kissed her several times.
81 have WON'T she said. 81 know have won! Con-
graduate me- May-congratulate m"
Don't throttle me, Betty" said Mabel, in her calm
voice. "And what else have you dear? 1t seems
to me you have always got everything"
ooh but this is splendid ?! said the girl. Listen
May
Betty flung herself into the chair locked her
hands round one knee bent forward and looked full at
her cousin with her expressive, smiling, fascinating
face.
"Father has agreed" she said at last, chat on one
condition NAV become engaged to Douglas"
81 thought your father would yield" said Mabel in
cold voice