The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-01-17
Betty ries a
Real Love-

early flies hummed socially in the
spring sun; and at little distance, in
a coppice, brown thrasher perched
on the high bough of small oak, and
dubbed, and sputtered, and cheered.
I'm sure you don't" repeated Betty.
"'Spring, sweet spring, is the
years pleasant king" l quoted cheer
fully, "and how you can harbor such
beliefs at such a season is 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 I'M
til my fingers touched the soft white
Of Betty's wrist just above her glove.
1--WE tried to give a great DEAL" said
l, looking at her steadily.
A little smile danced suddenly
across Betty's face, and then was off
again; but for just that shade of a
second her eyes had touched mine.
Then she shook her head solemnly.
"But you don't write verses to me"
/ she declared, as she produced a bit of
paper from the pocket of her jacket.
Il should hope not" said |.
81 think it's a very fine compliment
for man to pay a woman" said Bet
ty loftily, glancing at the paper.
whats that?" l demanded.
That" said she, carefully keeping
the writing cut of range of my eyes,
"is a-pOem."
Good heavens!" I 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 you?"
at 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 I
sha'n't tell you," Betty is not above
Lets see it," said l.
"Tll read it to you," she answered,
evading my fingers.
I dare not ask a kiss,
l dare not beg a smile,
Lest, having that or this,
l might grow proud the while;
No, no. the utmost share
OF my desire shall be
Only to kiss the air
That lately kissed thee.
ooh, ho!" said I, concealing a smile.
as the wind in that quarter?"
What's the matter?" asked Betty.
Don't you like it?'
His own composition, l suppose" I
advanced warily,
81 should hope he hadn't hired
somebody to write it for him." she
flashed
"'Call for the robin redbreast and
the wren," said |. The man needs to
be buried"
You don't like it?"
who sent it," | demanded.
Her answer was discreet.
Betty smiled tantalizingly. "It's not
necessary to tell all one knows" said
she.
"All right"
why do you want to know" ques-
toned the lady.
81 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 |.
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
haven't quoted" said quietly, but it
tells my heart better than all the 9th.
ers. 1t goes:
Simply take what this rime is WORTH
knowing l 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, 81 was just fooling," said
she softly.
'Fooling?"
1T wasn't sent to me-"
But you could use it as a whip over
my head" l chided.
You're not usually afraid of
whips she smiled
You said you got it by post"
I said it came by post. But
not to me. That wasn't a fb."
Perhaps not" said |.
ers." mug
"Ah, ha," said l.
ana she was SO pleased that she
showed 1t to me; and | copied IL"
To harrow me up?"
end" IL Tue |
Whom