Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-04-12
Betty nes a
Real Love es

! glnla rail- fence which wound dow
through wood and farm land Behint
lay a cornfield, newly planted, I
stretch Of warm, brown earth smooth
ed by the harrow, and prickled hert
and there along the rows by clean
green shoots. Before usywas a bit d
pasture, green velvet With new grass
the meadow larks winged heavils
above it, or sat on the rails of thd
fence. and whistled. Around US the
early flies hummed socially in the
| spring sun; and at little distance, ir
coppice, brown thrasher perched
on the high bough of a small oak, and
dubbed, and sputtered, and cheered
I'm sure you don't" repeated Betty
Spring, sweet spring, is thd
years pleasant king, +" / quoted cheer
fully, "and how you can harbor such
beliefs at such a season is a mystery
to me, my DEAR
That's just it." said Betty The
season of spring, sweet spring, de-
mands a great deal"
| moved my hand along the rail un-
til my fingers touched the soft white
of Betty's wrist just above her glove
I've tried to give a great DEAL" said
l, looking at her steadily.
A little smile danced suddenly
across Bettys face. and then was off
again; but for just that shade Of az
second her eyes had touched mine.
Then she shook her head solemn1y.
But you don't write verses to me-"
she declared, as she produced bit of
paper from the pocket Of her jacket
Il should hope not said /.
Il think It's very fine compliment
for man to pay a woman" said Bet!
| ty loftily, glancing at the paper.
whats that?" / demanded
That" said she. carefully keeping
the writing out of range of my eyes,
'is a-poem."
Good heavensI" / calculated; and II
had some difficulty in maintaining my
position on the fence do you mean
to say that some other man has been
writing verses to your"
cit came by post last night" said
Betty calmly.
do you know who sent it?"
but OF course, since it was signed"
"Who?"
IF you're so savage about it
sha'n't tell you." Betty is not above
Lets see it, said ].
'tTll read it to you" she answered.
evading my fingers.
/ dare not ask a kiss.
I dare not beg a smile,
Lest. having that or this.
I might grow proud the while;
No, no. the utmost kshare
or my desire shall be
Only to kiss the aif
That lately kissed thee.
"Oh, ho!" said I, concealing smile.
as the wind in that quarter"
Whats the matter?" asked Betty.
Don't you like it?"
His own composition, l suppose" l
advanced warily.
4 should hope he hadn't hired
somebody to write it for him" she
flashed.
"'Call for the robin redbreast and
the wren,'' said I. 1.-The man needs to
be buried"
you don't like it,"
"Who sent it?'' l demanded
Her answer was discreet.
Betty smiled tantalizingly. Its not
necessary to tell all one knows said
she.
'All right"
why do you want to know?" ques-
toned the lady
Il thought it would be interesting to
know who was palming off another
mans verses as his own"
what do you mean?"
"Of course you know it isn't orig
inal; it was really copied from an old
poet
"Really?" said Betty, and the little
smile danced back into her eyes
Read your Herrick,' said l.
why didn't you say so at first?"
It's not necessary to tell all one
knows
But you said it was tommy-rot."
"Just to find what you'd say in re-
turn" And again offered my hand.
She tilted her chin like the naughty
young lady in the play.
went just a step nearer, and looked
up into her eyes. There's one I
haven't quoted" / said quietly, but it
tells my heart better than all the 9TH
ers. 1t goes:
Simply take what this fine is worth!
Knowing love you as sun the sod
On the ripening side of the great round
earth
That turns in the smile of God.
Betty rested her hand very lightly
on my shoulder as ! leaned against
the fence. Il was just fooling.' said
she softly.
"Fooling?'
Tt wasn't sent to me"
But you could use it as whip over
my head I chided.
You're not usually afraid OF
whips" she smiled.