The Parker post., 1913-05-10
BARTERING OF BETTY
Ry ANITA CAVENAUGH.

fore them.
"Oh, Billy, what beauty? May
try it 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.
Il wish you could put it on,
Billy, just as il nothing had hap
pened."
He saw the tears glittering on her
lashes and suddenly caught her hands
IN his own.
What is it. Betty dear? What's
gone wrong since last night? Be hon
est with me. girl!''
Betty glanced about her asprehen-
sively. Somebody will hear"
Il 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 all?"
No, 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 it to him solemnly.
He says that | am keeping you
from getting a good business start,
that you have no head for figures.
"In other words, he thinks I'm no
man, just 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
show father thing or two" he
said Hearing footsteps, he released
her.
A man supported himself, swayiEg
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"
AS he spoke, Billy covered him with
the little pistol he had taken from
the table drawer.
Up with your hands, Quick about
it,"
The strangers expression changed
perceptibly
I've had little too much. That's
all Don't make q 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 that 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. "rhe one grandfather gave
him. And mothers horseshoe of dia-
monds! What a 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 foundered 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 Bettys
mother.
My emerald bracelet" moaned Kit
ty Melears. "It's the one you gave me,
Dick
Quiet" ordered Billy. 81 have
everything. There's the thief"
He pointed to the stairway where
two policemen could be seen leading
away their prisoner
How did this happen, young MANI
Bettys 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. The fellow
did not Look like a thief"
People, like things. are not always
what they appear" suggested Billy
meaningly. y may not look like a
business man myself but am going to
make you look to your laurels in that
Snyder-Mynatt suit tomorrow And
I SuDnOSo T might a @ WaIl tall vou Sjp.a