The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1912-12-13
GATHERING OF BETTY


"Just why" queried Billy as meek.
ly as his 175 pounds would permit,
ARE you fitting me? Here Is your
ring. l bought it today" He toss
ed the jeweled circle on the table be-
fore them.
"Oh. Billy, what a beauty May
try 1t on for a minute?"
For as long as you like. No
other woman will ever wear a ring OF
mine" There was bitterness in his
young heart.
II wish you could put 1t on,
Billy. just az II nothing had hap
pened."
He saw the tears glittering on her
lashcs and suddenly caught her hands
In his own.
What is II, Betty dear? What's
gone wrong since last night? Be hon.
est with me, grill"
Betty glanced about her apprehen-
sively. Somebody will hear"
81 took great care to bring you
straight to my den."
For heavens sake, Betty, why this
suspense? Let the ak fall. Have you
discovered that you don't care for me,
after alp"
mo, Billy. l love you better than
anything else in this world"
THAT settles It," said Billy, slipping
the circle of big diamonds on her
finger. Neither man nor devil can
take you away from me now"
Betty looked down at the auburn
head bent over her hand. Don't, Bill
ly!" she cried sharply. Don't make
love to me. II you do, never can give
you up. and father says"
"So-your father objects"
only on principle. Billy"
She took the ring from his finger
and handed 1t to him solemnly.
He Gays that I am keeping you
from getting good business start.
that you have no head for figures"
I'm other words, ne thinks I'm no
man, just a plain boob"
mo, he believes that you are clev-
er. but he says you never take any
thing seriously, that you are only In
love with me temporarily. You won't
want me after you get me-" sighed
Betty.
Billy looked at her, and his pulse
throbbed as he caught her and held
her close to him. II am going to
show father a thing or two" he
said. Hearing footsteps, he released
her.
A man supported himself, swaying
by the curtains In the doorway.
Il beg pardon" he said thickly
Didn't mean to disturb you and the
lady. II was just looking about,
you know"
the little pistol he had taken from
the table drawer
up with your hands! Quick about
it,"
= The strangers expression changed
perceptibly.
1--WE had a little too much. That's
all. Don't make row. I'll go
now"
Not with the property Of my
mothers guests in your pockets. Your
drunken ruse does not work with me-
Betty, please touch tnat bell by the
window"
When the servants had answered
the summons, and the thief lay bound
on the floor, Billy proceeded to search
him.
There's fathers watch" screamed
Betty. "The one grandfather gave
him. And mothers horseshoe Of dia-
monds! What bold thief"
The police made quiet entrance
to take their prisoner. Billy and Bet
ty went downstairs to return the
spoils. Everybody was busy playing
bridge. Not one of them had discover
ed any loss.
What time have you, daddy dear?"
asked Betty stopping by her fathers
chair.
There was CONSERVATION on his face
when he felt in an empty pocket.
why, IL" he floundered miser-
ably, not caring to announce loss in
his friends house.
Billy held up his valuable old watch.
How many Of you have lost jewelry
tonight?" He opened a box full of
pins, trinkets and string OF pearls
worth kings ransom.
MY pearls!" shrieked Mrs. Stanley
Weyland.
my horseshoe pint" cried Betty's
mother.
MY emerald bracelet" moaned Kit
ty Melears. cts the one you gave me,
Dick"
Quiet" ordered Billy. II have
everything. There's the theft"
He pointed to the stairway where
two policemen could be seen leading
away their prisoner.
How did this happen, young man?'
Betty's father was perturbed. He was
annoyed that any man could take his
watch without his knowledge. He had
prided himself all his life on his abil-
ity to read character. 1.-THE fellow
did not look like thief"
People, like things, are not always
what they appear" suggested Billy
meaningly. II may not look like a
business man myself but am going to
make you look to your laurels in that