The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-01-13
WITH BETTY'S
ASSISTANCE.
by Jane BrackeD.

once more within familiar walls
| Two years of hard hunting in AFRICA
makes a man appreciate more keenly
the comforts of civilization. Billy
found a goodly amount of mail a
waiting him and turned to it with In
terest.
"Hello!" he calculated as he open
ed the first letter on the pile, Betty
has timed my arrival to nicely.
Wants me to dine with them tonight
at G.. Six! Now, that's uncommonly
early; unless they're taking in the
play afterward. Perhaps that's it. y
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 thai
she had always seemed rather fon
of him, in the old days, and now tina
| 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 matter-of-fact; too light
hearted, too; he knew that, an on
the whole Yes, he decided family,
he thought he would accept the in
vitation.
At the stroke of 6, armed with 6
bunch of American Beauties, he ran
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" sh
laughed, seating herself on divar
and making room for him beside her
You're looking well, Billy" she con
tinued, throwing back her head and
eyeing him critically; decidedly
we'll, considering the broken heart
you carried away with you. | 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
am heart-whole and fancy-free. That
is" he added, signing, II was until
saw you come into the room, Now
-" he sighed again and spread out
his hands in a 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, l 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 is ''he was obliged to
stop and clear his throat. How is
Mrs. DENLY, now?"
Betty fairly bounced around upon
the divan and faced him squarely.
Mrs. Denby!" she almost scream
ed. Billy Manning, do you mean to
tell me that you have stagnated in
that detestable Africa, not knowing
that Ethel Dudley never became Mrs.
Denby, nor Mrs. anybody else? No;
she's still Ethel Dudley"
"But-but-she told me herself,
stammered Billy, that she was 60
ing to marry DENLY, she begged to
be released from her engagement
with me"
Bah. Billy Manning" said Betty
contemptously, you see that the
poor girl was driven to it by her mo-
ther.
This takes me back little, Bet
ty," he said, his voice hoarse and
unsteady. "I-I-had no idea of
sucn thing"
Poor boy" whispered Betty com
pasionately, poor boy. But perhaps
| can suggest a cure. Suppose
should tell you that Ethel is as in
consolable as you are?'
Don't hold out false hope to
me, Betty"
"No, not a false one" said Betty
earnestly; mot false one, Billy.
Wnen you went away, Ethel asserted
herself and refused to marry RUFUS
DENLY. I've been in her confidence
all the time and know she has suff-
cred terribly. She talks necessarily
of you, and sometimes" she sighed
YEARLY, Il almost grow tired of lis
tening. She doesn't know you are
back; I planned a little surprise for
her. Now, Billy, listen. She's here,
in this house; in the library. l left
her there with instructions to wait
until | returned. You go to her in
stead. Take her right in your arms
Billy, and have it over with quickly
Here, take your roses"
But l bought them for you," in
terrupted Billy.
For me! Nonsense, Billy Mann
ing Roses for me at 81 apiece
You're Joking. But, wait; I'll take
one, if you please, as a reward fol
my good Offices"
Billy detached rose and HANDED
1t to her.
THANK you, Billy" she said care
lessly. Now run along; you hav,
an hour and a half Dinner is a
s. Co. Co." and she pushed him to
ward the door, almost hysterical il
her eagerness.
II wonder" she mused and a lool
OF wistfulness crept into her eyes
"Billy seemed really glad to see me-
and he brought the roses for me-
wonder"
A mist rose up and blotted ou