The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-12

sation. And as the yacht swept out
of the harbor the invalid had a tan
TALKING view of their heads bent close
over some object which Greg held in
his hand.
For three hours Betty lay back in
her chair alone and torn by DOUBT
Greg did not love her. If he did, he
would not have left her. She wrote
a little note to have ready for him.
In it she gave him up. She sealed IT
and laid it on the table, ready to hand
him when he came. Her thoughts
went tumultuously over her future.
Toward sunset the yacht swept
once more into the harbor. Betty's
glass, seeking, seeking. found some
strange disorder on deck. The WoJn-
At the other group of sailors were
gathered about a dark mass.
Mother" cried Betty sharply, as
the older lady came out with tray
what are they doing2"
+ 'where?'' Mrs. Bradford demanded
Son the Thorne yacht. 1 don't see
Gregory-I-oh, they're lowering
boat-and- Betty had tainted,
The sailors rowed like mad to the
"a DOCTOR" gasped one of them as
Mrs Bradford ran down to meet the
boat. leaving Betty to distracted
maid. ''we've got a man here VINO
went overheard to save one of the
Ia dies. There seems to be some heart
complication. We'd better get him
to a doctor as soon as possible
When Betty opened her eyes a tan
voung woman in white was bending
You're Betty" said the tall young
woman. I'm Helen-He1en Thcrne'
you've heard Greg speak of me-"
Don't move. dear" said Helen. Il
inst want to tell you about Greg.
He's all right; but they have him IN
bed upstairs. He went overpoaro
after me- I got in the way OF the
sails and lost my balance. He had
an awful time keeping me up; his
heart isn't strong and the strain told
on him dreadfully. He IS sucn
hero; how happy you ought TO De-
little Betty!"
"Yes-to think you're going to
marry him. But I don't wonder he
loves you, you're such dear-he
was telling me about you on deck
Just before we went out of the mar
Dor. He pointed you out to me, you
were lust a little speck on the porch"
Betty's face famed. She wondered
if they had seen her spying Il saw
you-through the glass"
did you-then I'm afraid Greg s
surprise won't be a surprise at all.
"What surprise? demanded Betty.
'I'll let him show you-it was
something he wanted me to see-to
know if you would like it, Betty"
How lovely you are" Betty cried.
ashamed before this gracious crea-
ture of the smallness of her suspi-
cions. ooh, why didn't you marry
Greg? You're a better mate for him
than l."
The tears which had been near the
surface all day now overlooked and
Betty sobbed.
INJURED. II didn't marry Greg be-
cause we didn't love each other. We
were only good friends, and next
month I am going to marry the only
man in the world for me-"
That night Greg, pale as Betty, and
much more interesting as an invalid,
sat beside her on the porch. Together
they looked at the moon, rising gold
above the waters, but they said little
until Greg took from his pocket a
little box and opened it. Within |
sparkled lovely ring, which, in ra-
dance, matched the moonlight. Its
for you, Betty" he said.
But Betty had a confession to make. |
IT thought you didn't love me-" she
this morning when you
went away. was afraid you loved
Helen"
He fitted the ring on her thin lit
tie finger, then drew her to him. |
This ring must be a pledge" he said, |
of faith and trust. And the next
time you look at me through the |
glasses, Betty-look through rose-col- |
pred ones"
Betty buried her shamed face in |
MS coat. You knew"
Yes. That's why I didn't wave to
you. I knew you were watching
and-it wasn't worthy of you, dear |
81
Then as if afraid that his little SER
non might hurt, he kissed her. But |
he ring seals a new contract" he |
aid. "Remember!"-(Co pyrighted
1912, by Associated Literary Press.)
---- II