Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-08-15

think you were selfish because you
wanted little remnant Of the time
OF. the person who had sworn to love
you-for better, for worse"
Gregory sprang to hts feet. Betty"
he said, you're unjust Haven't /
been with you every day-every hour
that could spare-and now, because
! want to take q run around the cape
with party Of old friends, you con-
clude that you're badly treated lit
isn't fair and 1t isn't just. But I'm
going to stay here-so you needn't
worry. couldn't enjoy the trip now"
Betty's big eyes blazed In her pale
face. II won't have you here" she
said, tensely III you want to go,
you may-and--please don't come
back today, Gregory"
He stood for moment looking
down at her. "You mean that7'
yes"
tDearest-""
Betty turned away her head, Don't
call me that," she said. 'It's easy
enough to say pleasant things"
DO you think don't mean them?
~ don't care whether you do or
moi" coolly; please 90, Greg"
He went slowly down the steps Of
the porch, tall and striking in his
blue serge coat and white trousers.
his yachting cap and white shoes.
Betty loved tho ground he walked
on, but when he looked back, she
was gazing indifferently out over the
harbor. 'I'll be back tn an hour" he
called.
i'Please DON'T" came her voice,
family. He stepped into his boat,
started his motor and was on.
Betty lay back In hsr invalid chair
On tho table beside her were the
roses Gregory had sent A book he
had ordered for her lay IN her lap,
the Persian pussy cat he had bought
to, cheer her loneliness slept com
fortably on q blue cushion at her
feet.
But these things did not make
Betty happy. She wanted him to be
tied to her side. She was lonely,
blue, Jealous.
Greg's old friends were on the
yacht anchored out there near the
clubhouse. He had gone to meet
them. In that group was girl with
whom Greg's name had been con.
nected before he met Betty. Greg
gagement- But Betty felt that there
must have been something serious IN
the way of love affair, for what girl
could help loving Greg? And there
was reason to suspect that Gregs
heart had been involved, for Helen
Thorne was noted beauty and Betty
was little and thin and just getting
over an operation for appendicitis.
'tAnd there isn't any romance in
appendicitis" mourned little Betty,
and gave herself up to the clutches
Of the green-eyed monster.
Her mother came out presently.
where's Greg" she asked.
"Gone," succinctly.
'l.m so glad" said Mrs. Bradford,
hes been so devoted, Betty - and
men are usually 20 fussy about being
Il hope hsn never come back" :
said Betty.
Betty
II told him Co." Betty wont on Il
wouldn't have cared, mother. II he
had simply gone for q boat ride
but to think he could be happy-to
be, with other people-when I wasn't
there Betty's eyes were over
flowing.
Dear child" her mother stroked
the thin little hands. ''he felt that
1t was q duty--you know how good
the Thornes have always been to
him-he has known them all his
life"
"But Helen Thorne e-mother, what
did people say about them :"
You're Jealous" her mother ac-
cused her, "Oh, Betty!"
I'm not" Betty's face famed,
..'but you know how Greg loves peo-
pie who can do things out Of doors
and-and I'm tied down here, mother
and the doctor says won't be
strong for months"
II know, dear, but you must trust
Gregory-you know he worships the
ground you walk on
"But was different when he fell
in love with mel wasn't III"
You're not hopeless invalid,
child-the doctor says you will be as
we'll as ever In a month or two"
Betty felt that many. many things
could happen in month. Il don't
want any lunCQ, ulOIuST, buo 66lu lADI-
lessly. I'LL eat peach and take q
nap"
But when her mother left her she
did not sleep. She picked up pair
Of opera glasses, another of Greg's
gifts, and swept the picture before
her with a. searching glance. They
were good glasses. and when the
yacht came within range she could
see Greg's tall figure and the white
clad femininity with which he was
surrounded. At least there ives safe
ty In numbers. She leaned back and
tried to read, but presently curiosity
claimed her. and again she looked
through her glasses. This time she
found ground for suspicion. Greg
and a tall young woman in white
linen were sitting alone, hidden by
the sails from the sight Of those on
board, but plainly to be seen by
Betty. They were in earnest conver-
sation. And as the yacht swept out
OF the harbor the invalid had tan