Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-06-18
Betty RES a
&C.,
Real Love est

II don't believe you really care for
me-" announced Betty.
We were sitting on the top of Vir.
ginia rail fence which wound down
through wood and farm land. Behind
lay cornfield. newly planted a
stretch Of warm, brown earth smooth.
ed by the harrow, and prickled here
and there along the rows by clean,
green shoots. Before us was bit of
pasture, green velvet with new grass:
the meadow larks winged heavily
above it. or sat on the rails Of the
fence, and whistled. Around US the
early flies hummed socially in the
spring sun; and at little distance, In
q coppice, brown thrasher perched
on the high bough of small oak, and
bubbled, and sputtered, and cheered.
I'm sure you DON'T" repeated Betty.
Spring, sweet spring, is the
years pleasant king" I quoted cheer
fully, "and how you can harbor such
beliefs at such season is mystery
to me, my dear"
That's just it," said Betty. "The
season Of spring, sweet spring., de-
mands a great deal"
I moved my hand along the rail I'M
til my fingers touched the soft white
OF Betty's wrist just above her glove.
tive tried to give great DEAL" said
II, looking at her steadily.
A little smile danced suddenly
across Betty's face. and then was of
again; but for Just that ihade Of a
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 I.
II think It's very fine compliment
for man to pay woman" said Bet
~ loftily. glancing at the paper.
Whats that?'' demanded.
THAT" said she, carefully keeping
the writing out Of range of my eyes.
lis a-poem."
Good heavens!" calculated: and I
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
1T came by post last night" said
Betty calmly.
do you know who sent itf''
"But of course, since 1t was signed"
"Who?"
If you're SO savage about 1t I
sha'n't tell you," Betty is not above
Lets see It," said /.
''I'll read 1t to you" she answered.
evAding my fingers.
! dare not ask q kiss,
I dare not be. a smile,
Lest, having that or this.
might grow proud the while;
No, no, the utmost share
OF my desire shall be
Only to kiss the air
That lately kissed thee.
"Oh, ho!" said I, concealing smile.
els the wind in that quarter?"
Whats the matter?" asked Betty.
~Don't you like it?"
His own composition, suppose" I
advanced warily.
II should hope he hadn't hired
somebody to write 1t for him." she
flashed.
"'Call for the robin redbreast and
the wren," said ]. 1.-THE man needs to
be buried"
"You don't like it?''
who sent it?''. / demanded.
Her answer was discreet.
Betty smiled tantalizingly. TITS not
necessary to tell all one knows" said
she.
"All right"
why do you want to known" ques-
TONED the lady.
II thought it would be interesting to
know who was palming OF another
mans verses as his own
What do you mean?"
"Of course you know 1t 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 /.
why didn't you say 80 at flrst?''
IT'S not necessary to tell all ono
knows"
But you said 1t was tommy-rot."
"Just to ind 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 ono I
haven't quoted" said quietly, but it
tells my heart better than all the 9TH
ers. It goes:
Simply take what this rime II worth!
Knowing I 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. II was Just fooling," said