Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1912-05-10
Bettyn| es a
cal oyeIe EST

s3ss''I don't believe you really care for
me- announced Betty.
We were sitting on the top Of a Yir.s
sginia rail fence which wound down
through wood and farm land Behind
lay a cornfield, newly planted, \
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 a. 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 a little distance, In /
a,coppice, brown thrasher, perched
on the high bough of q small oak, and
bubbled, and sputtered, and cheered. .s
a5s.'I m sure you don t, Z repeated Betty.
{" Spring, sweet spring, Is the
years pleasant king quoted cheer
fully, and how you can harbor such
beliefs at such a season is mystery
to me, my dear 2 "
That's just IT, said Betty. eThe
season OF spring, sweet spring de-
mands great DEAL 5%G. .;ss'. J.
] moved my hand along the rail, nm
til my fingers touched the soft white
Of Betty's wrist Just above her glove.
I've tried to give great deal" said
i, looking at her steadily. F.
S3 A little smile danced suddenly;
across Betty's face, and them was or
again; but for just that shade ~. 20
second her eyes had touched mine.
Then she shook her head solemnly.
But you don't write verses to me, q
she declared, & AZ she produced q bit Of
paper from the pocket Of her jacket.
7 should hope not said L.:
7 think it's q very hne compliment
for 2 man to pay q woman, = said Bet.
" loftily, glancing at the paper.
8 What's that =" demanded. 5
That" said she, carefully keeping
the writing ont Of range Of my eyes,
lis apoem. $55s: " n. =. :s.s 81 Ss, n,
Good heavensl' 4 I calculated; and /
had some difaculty In maintaining my
position on the fence. 40 you mean
20 say that some other man has been
writing verses to your q. =
Ii 1T came by post last night" said
Betty calmly. 4. 95S 81
\ DO you know who sent it?''''. %
But: Of course, since It was signed =
Who r. 5s
ST you're SO savage about It
sha'n't tell you" Betty Is not above
Let's rec Il, + said !. s i{.:s
TIL read It to you," she answered,
eyading my fingers. A; 3 a.
dare not ask kiss, <.f u
8s 4 dare mot beg smile, al Il: i5E5s
Lest, having that or this, M ,s ~,
III might grow proud the while; II
4 NO. no, \ the utmost share 4.
81 OF my desire shall be $5 4 s35ss
Only to kiss the air s5 n Am. \: 5s
That lately kissed thee.
"oh, ho!" said ], concealing smile.
"Is the wind In that quarter r.
What's the matter?'' asked Betty.
Don't you like it?'' Fl
*s His own composition, suppose"
advanced warily. II 81 " 81 < ~!
Il should hope he hadn't hired
somebody to write it for him." she
flashed I Il H IA. a s h
# "'Call for the robin redbreast and
the Wren" said I. THE man; needs to
be buried. 2 s5sS ii. B ~ II. { N
You don't like it?'' ,2l75s 81
Who sent it?" i demanded. sk; q,
Her answer was discreet.
Betty smiled tantalizingly. 'It's not
necessary to tell alone knows" said
All right. 2 4 IA s I,
why do you want to known ques,
toned the lady. D; s,5, 81.
thought IT would be interesting to
.l know z. who was palming OF another
mans verses as his ON d,
hat do you NEAR? rs
"of course you know it isn't orig.
inal; It was really copied from an old
poet. 8 ss3
Really 7" said Betty, and the littlos3
smile l danced back into her eyss. y
Read your Herrick,' + said ]. Nh {. &
Why didn't you DAY Do at;sarst ~ s.sss;t
not necessary to tell ali one
knows N Il 5s:s y.
But you said It was tommy-rot. 7, h
lust to find what you'd say in. NJ
turn, And again i offered my hand. +.
She tilted her chin like the naughty
young lady In the play. 515s B /,
&l went Just q step nearer, and lookeds
up into her eyes. There's ono ssI
e haven't quoted, Z" said quietly, "b,st it !,
:tells my heart better than ali the 9th.
Sers. It goes: 5ss5 ~
Simply take what this rime ID WORTH nj Y
81. knowing love you 40 sun the SOD
Il earth - !,
That turns in the smile 81 aea. Il
Betty regted her hand very lightly
on my shoulder 40 leaned against
the fence. Il was Just fooaing.. said
she softly. E -s9
Fooling +"
It wasn't cent to me- 5S y s5.f8
PM vfNs1 Ssnrt1si n ~ = q ~ =. e