The Washington times., 1909-03-14

Ieplleu Betty ana you SCpicu db NV
idea and told me that a thief was a
thief, no matter how you looked at it.
You couldn't Interest yourself at all in
your opinion. and / become the perse-
cutor. while you are the defender Of
Nelson"
Strange how We will change our
minds. isn't it?" remarked Wharton.
cooly.. when you told me that you
had recovered the money 1 was de-
lighted. Of course"
But when l also informed you
| that Mr.. Charles Nelson was safely
locked i'm jail you weren't so we'll sat
isfied. Why" and Bettys forehead was
all puckered into wrinkles
.'Why?" repeated Wharton
He paused for moment. evidently
searching for some plausible explana-
ton Of his mystifying attitude.
For the simple -eason," he oontin~
ued. slowly that q respectable woman
had no business trying to interfere in
mems affairs"
You didn't say 50 a few moments
ago" answered Betts
Never mind what / said few mo-
ments ago" retorted Wharton. Il want
you to listen to what l. am saying now.
You took it upon yourself to do mans
wo-k-to become a detective
Just for this time only" hastily in
terposed Betty. Nothing under the sun
would ever again induce me TO do such
thing. I've had enough. I wish I
had never seen or heard Of the wretched
money"
You won't say that when YOU be-
gin to spend it, rejoined Wharton.
Spend it," repeated Betty. T shall
never touch one cent Of it
What" exclaimed Wharton A
woman with money to spend. and she
refuses to touch it, Such thing would
)e impossible"
Not at an replied Betty. Il mean
what 1 say. 1 hate this money and
all the trouble II has caused. 1 shall
never spend one penny Of It,"
oh, very we'll" careIessly responded
Wharton.
Betty moved away from the nall door
and he followed her, evidently forget
full that ne had declared he would tell
the police 10 call of the case against
Nelson. The argument had become SO
absorbing and so exciting that neither
remembered how il had started.
You're curious woman" Wharton
| observed with curl Of his upper lip.
! Fancy woman not wanting to spend
money he added addressing his re-
mark to an empty chair.
Perhaps + am" admitted Betty
But what possible objection can there
| be to using this money!" demanded
Wharton.
wen, vel say ny intuition advises
me against fl"
Your intuition. Knocked Wharton.
I'm getting sick and tired or hearing
about intuition. When woman can't
possibly ind a decent excuse for any
fool thing she does she puts # down TO
the credit Of her intuition whatever
that might be. why is il that men
don't have intuition?"
Some men do" answered Betty. 1T
all depends upon the man"
Il have never suffered from the com
plant" retorted Wharton sneeringly.
Il can easly understand that"
quickly replied his wife. only certain
types OF men. like certain types Of wc-
n en-. are capable OF suffering from in
tuition"
Suffering" repeated Wharton. What
rot
Yes suppose you would call it
that" said Betty But it isn't rot 10
everybody You are OF a practical turn
OF mind Such a nature couldn't un-
derstand what really msan. il re
qUires a deIica ce'y attnHe3 organiza-
ton TO comprehend"
"Oh. then, [ an. not del5cateiy at
tuned?" rejoined Wharton with sniff
OF disgust.
Il didn't say that" gently replied
Betty.
No. but YOU meant It, just the same.
On. I'm not so duh as you may
think" he continued.
I suppose this thief Nelson has
'delicately attuned' nature" ne sneered.
IF YOU wish me 10 be truthful" said
Betty. Il Will say that he has one
more pronounced than yours
Then why in the name or common
sense cant you realize that this charge
against him should 5e cropped
But why"
Don't YOU see mat the MAJ may
have taken me money OF the impulse
Of the moment He may not be a reg
ular thief at all Che fact thac he was
honest enough 20 h;nd t. over when
YOU asked for II shows that he is above
the average theft There must be some
good left in him. Maybe this is his
lliSl oHeiSe. l"t give the poor lel-
low "A chance
With these words Wharton once moe
started toward the door.
Where are yoU going" demanded
Betty.
To tell the police That We have
agreed to drop the charge answered
Wharton.
stop commau led Betty. You Will
90 nothing of the sort. ! forbid IT,"
You forbid it. Since when have you
begun 20 dictate 10 me what ! shall
and what 7 shall not do?" be demand
ed.
From this very moment" replied
Betty, in a voice whose determination
was unmistakablt
Wharton g8zed searchinSIy at ner for
a second and then resumed his pacings
- ard fro. lie was dumfOunded and
die not know what 10 say next
CHAPTER XXI.
BETTY ASSERTS HERSELF
lIVT jill began Betty. after Il
~ minnie 81 ocufaog 49,,