Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-07-07
WHAT BETTY THOUGHT

mo, I couldn't describe my ideal
man."
Betty's blond head was outlined
against the big blue satin pillow
which she had brought from the par
lor couch to the library as soon as
young Frost had telephoned her that
he would call that evening. 1t was a
rich shade of blue-an effective back
ground for a Dresden china face.
Betty's eyes rested on her own slim
white hand, whittier than ever as it lay
upon the dark blue of her gown, and
young FrOst's eyes naturally followed
the innocent lead of hers. The brief
est of examinations showed conclu-
sively that it was very pretty hand.
mo, I cannot describe my ideal
man. said Betty. 'Of course" she
continued, after a scarcely percep-
tible pause, Il have some ideas about
him. He must be strong-in char
acter as well as physique. | must
feel that he is stronger than | am
Il understand that" young Frost
asseIJdSd, SO cordially that Betty hard
ly depressed a smile Sine had meO
the same situation before, but had yet
to meet the man who did not believa
he could easily measure UP to this
ideal.
why do you ask?' she inquired,
oh, so innocently! Have you an ideal
woman?"
Il certainly have replied young
Frost, with grave emphasis.
"And you know how sine looks,
even?"
Eyes, | do"
"Would you mind telling me about
herr"
I've wanted to for long time
She has the sweetest, most I'M
selfish, sincere nature imaginable"
began young Frost. "She has a way
of compelling the best there Is in you
to rule you.
Il think it's because she's so good
and true herself, and trusts so COM
pletely in the goodness and truth of
other people that you couldn't bear
to disappoint' her. It keeps you UP
to your highest mark when you're
with her, and when you're away from
her - his voice softened = when
you're waya, if you happen to drop
little, the thought of her pulls you
UP again.
Betty's eyelids were down. She
had n;ver heard herself described
like this.
1T seems to me these things come
first-before mere personal appear
ance,' Frost went ON, 'but she's
beautiful to look at, too. Her hair is
very heavy. It's blond. Not exactly
golden-more of a soft, pale brown"
HIM said Betty 70 herself.
Everybody else says golden.
''She dresses it very simple" said
young Frost, Gin way that shows
it's all her own hair is a great
contrast to the fashion ~, upholster-
ed head, but she's so genuine, clear
Through, that anything of that sort
would be distinctly out of character"
Men are SO innocent" Betty
| thought tenderly; for one of the thick
braids wound smoothly round her
head was attached only by hairpins.
She's tall, for woman, and grace
full. She mostly dresses in dark
shaoe. I'm not much on colors, but
when she isn't all in white, | should
say she usually has on a plUm-colored
dress-deep and rich, you knOW-with
little white lace round the neck
The dimples tried to come In
Betty's cheelNs as She heard this crop
ing masculine tribute to her fancy for
being known as the "girl in dark
blue Gown after gown she had
bought all of the same color, and.
she always had them made with a
touch of white about the face, just
as he had noticed.
''She has nice hands and
good shaped-but they're not the kind
that are beautiful because they never
40 anything between manicuring
times They're helpful, capable
hands.
Betty felt suddenly unworthy.
What color are her eyes?" she muir
Mufeu, WITHOUT IOOklng up.
Frost hesitated. whats the mat
ter with that candle on the book
case?' he asked suddenly. See how
it fares
81 think it's perfectly SAFE" was
the demure answer, made without a
flicker of Bsttys downcast lashes.
'The shade has a mica lining: it
can't take fire. You didn't tell me
the color of her eyes"
There was silence. Frost went
over and examined the candle. On
the way back HE moved two chairs
and picked up a magazine which had
slipped from the table, but Betty was
not to be surprised into looking up.
'Ifs queer that / should have to
stop and Think he said, finally sit
ting down again. ''They-well, they're
blue, that's what they areL"
They are'!' A pair of unm1stak-
ably brown eyes opened wide and
looked reploachfully at him. but if
Frost was surprised he faield to show