The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1910-07-01

llSHlEeSS.
81 don't mind telling YOU" Betty
said almost in a whisper, that II that
man doesn't ask me within three
months, I'll sell the trousseau piece
by piece for whatever 1t will bring.
But If | have to do that I'll be very
unhappy girl, because though he's
never actually said he loved me, I
think he does, and If he doesn't want
me now | shall know that he's afraid
of my poverty and the notoriety I've
created by starting my tea house"
IF he's worthy of you he wouldn't
think of such thing" said Allanby
warmly. IF you've the least doubt
in your mind about him, you d do bet
ter to get him right out of your
mind"
II don't know that I should really
| believe that of him, anyway" said
Betty defensively. after all, | think
the worst l could say of him would
be that he's obtuse'
I'VE all seem to be obtuse, in your
estimation" said Allanby.
said Betty dimpling, exactly as bad
as you are"
Il don't know" muttered Allanby
that night as he went home, why I
should get so worked up because she's
in love with Stickney. He's a good
enough chap. l wonder if he cares
for her really"
At the possible thought that he
might not, Allanby became absurdly
angry. "I'll make it my business to
see that he does" he said. Yet he
delayed his plan of action somehow
and did not get down to business. He
cultivated Stickney's acquaintance for
the purpose of finding out whether
he was worthy of Betty, and could
not make up his mind that he was.
Yet, as through wary hints that he
threw out during his frequent calls
on Betty he found that she was not
in any way turned from her desire, he
began to speak Of her to the young
man. Stickney at first displayed only
a moderate interest. He intimated
that Betty had removed herself from
their mutual acquaintance when she
threw off the protection of Stanhope
and her relatives, and started the tea
house. Allanby warmly defended her,
and they had several arguments about
it, Betty's pluck and ability were
paraded for the delinquent Stickney
without any special results. At last
one night Allanby began to dwell up
on the loneliness of the girl herself.
He recalled her brilliant dark eyes
her red lips and her creamy skin
He spoke of the grace of her move
ments and the intelligence of her
mind. And then for the first time
Allanby knew that he was in love
with Betty himself, and had always
loved her. 1t was too late. Stickney
was won at last.
81 must go down and see her." he
said. ct shall call tomorrow even
ing"
The next afternoon Allanby called
on Betty. He was miserable.
whats the matter?" said Betty.
you've got something on your
mind
1t was a moment before Allanby
blurted it out.
"Stickney's coming tonight" he |
said. I've done my best-and I wish |
hadn't He isn't good. enough for
you. I shouldn't say it, but, Betty, l |
love you myself and I can't bear to |
give you up--to him at any rate"
What in the world are you talking |
about?" cried Betty.
81 never found it out was so
used to caring for you-until | was |
telling Stickney about you last night.
Then l remember all the little things
about you that are so dear to me, and
l knew how it was with me, Betty"
groaned Allanby. 81 suppose you
can't help wanting Stickney, any more
than can help wanting YOU"
II can't think" said Betty softly,
where you got this idea about Mr..
why, don't you remember telling
me about keeping the trousseau-"
Yes" answered Betty, land the
three months are nearly up. l shall
surely have to sell that trousseau if
The man I want doesn't hurry up"
AS in a dream Allanby realized all
Of sudden that Betty's dark head
was lying in the hollow of his shout
der and that he was holding her very
tight. Allanby was learning things
IN lunches.
"Why, Betty, I can't believe-I
can't understand"
Il can't believe" returned Betty
with an accent on the pronoun, that
Won re as ObtuSe as all that "-BOstOn