The Washington times., 1909-03-11

this trait OF her character. Her
husband, on the other hand.
boasted of never doing anything with
out first carefully studying how he
would do it. and what the outcome
would probably be.
He had shown visible annoyance on
more occasions than one when Betty
surprised him by an action which was
entirely unlocked for on his part, and
which she herself afterward confessed
had been unthought OF the moment be-
fore.
Wharton was OF too nervous tenn
permanent TO enjoy these impromptu de-
partures from the usual routine. He
never knew exactly how 10 take Hetty.
lust when he had concluded that he
understood her perfectly she would be
guilty of something which caused him
10 change his opinion. When he ex-
pected her to cry she would amaze him
or laughing, and things that would
make the average woman fly into
temper would be met with smile when
they came to the knowledge OF Betty.
When Wharton gave stringent orders
that she should or should not do
thing, Betty listened carefully. and then
planned how ahe could circumvent his
directions without really disobeying
him for the mere delight OF showing
him that she could do so, but for the
reason that. with all his calculation.
Betty's brain usually worked better
than Nharton'S, and he was very often
surprised at the result Of her methods.
He was honest enough 10 acknowledge
that her way was the best and while
IL sngered him 70 learn that she had
wilfully disregarded his advice. he was
unable to reproach her
He might have known AT the time Re
prevented Betty from informing the
police about the loss OF the Thousand
dollars that the little woman would
find her own way out Of the difficulty
Had he stopped - think things over he
would not have gone to his office, Ieav-
ing Betty to her own devices, for she
Lad Way of thinking quickly and act
ing Immediately afterward.
Frequently, in pursuing her original
plans, which were in contradistincticn
20 those Of her husband. Betty didn't
hesitate long enough 10 worry over
what Wharton would say when he
learned what she had done She trust
cd to good luck, which somehow seem
the trouble
When Wharton ordered her with sucn
sternness not to inform the police OF
the robbery, Betty did az she was told.
and did not continue on her way TO the
telephone
This did not prevent her from Won
serins what she herself could DO. Her
immediate object was TO find the thief
She did not stop long enough TO pom
der over the consequences of her act
she did not bother about what Wharton
would say when she told him what 81
had done. nor did she look deep enough
into results TO discern some or the ppS-
sible consequences.
Betty lived in the present. The fu-
ture was still some years of 10 her
Had she been told the character or
events which in the natural order OF
things would come after each other n
rapid succession. she would. no doubt,
have hesitated in her impulsiyeness.
AS il was She went boldly ahead
she vas rather proud Of herself when
she said TO Charles Nelson You are
my prisoner" She failed TO understand.
however, how the Gibson man could
smile so coolly and refuse to be greatly
disturbed over the arrest.
Betty had been riding along IN the Aii-
fonobile with him waiting for the
proper moment when some plan would
suggest itself 10 her
She knew what sbe wanted "a do. but
raw no way OF doing IL until the unex-
psctsd combination Of police station. the
blockade Of vehicles and policeman al
the very door or the car showed her the
means to an end.
Betty never once thought OF Wharton
- she went mp the steps OF the station
house with Nelson and the officer She
only felt that she had done an unusual
thinG for a woman; that she mad &C
0ompiished the purpose she had gone
out 70 accomplish. and she was pleased
over tho result
Nelson had imposed upon Eer ana
laughed Al her sfterward That was
enough She intended 20 show him that
sh-. was woman who was not to be
trlfed NTH.
OF course. she could moi have arrested
Nelson il Tire bis policeman had not
stood so conveniently near 2 rhe proper
rroment Betty had nor counted on jhe
assistance OF policeman. and had she
done so she would probably have given
Up her hunt without further IVORY. be-
csuse such thing as calling on an
officer for help suggested crowds. pub
iiciiy and all the rest Of the disagree
able features.
She had hoped 10 manage ne situs-
1ion without noise and excitement, and
everything had turned ont Just as she
nsd wished. Size was grateful TO the
ofacer for his timely appearance in her
hour OF need.
Certainly Nelson would have escaped
al there been only Betty tp restrain
him. A word TO his chauffeur and he
would have been blocks distant. Hadn't
10 illustrated his ability 10 get away
wien the confusion or the accident in
which she figured was al its height2
Betty did not intend. however. that
lie policeman shouid receive any more
credit for hsviag taken Nelson I'm tow
than wss his jrst due
The whole affair had occurred 50
cplcklN that passers-by .ardIy had
SUFFICIENT time 20 realize was aking
piAce when the trio had disappe ared
within the doors OF he station house
Getty gave one triumphant glance