The Lamar register., 1913-02-26
BARTERINe OF BETTY
BY ANITA cAvENAuoH.

"Just why" queried Billy ~ meek
y a. his It's pounds would permit.
ARE you fitting met Here is your
ring. I bought It today" He toss
ed the teweled circle on the table be-
fore them.
-Oh. Billy. what a beautyf May
try It on for q minutef"
For as long as you like. No
other woman will ever wear q ring of
mine" There was bitterness in his
young heart.
II wish you could put It on.
Billy. Just a. II nothing had hap
pened."
He saw the tears glittering on her
lashes and suddenly caught her hands
in his own.
What is 1t, Betty dearf What's
gone wrong since last night? Be hon.
est with me. grill"
Betty glanced about her apprehen-
sively. Somebody viii hear"
II took great care to bring you
straight to my den."
For heavens sake, Betty, why this
suspense? Let the az fall Have you
discovered that you don't care for me,
after ALI"
mo. Billy. I 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 1t to him solemnly.
He says that 1 am keeping you
from getting q 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 arc clev-
or. but he says you never take any
thing seriously. that you are only in
love with me temporarily. You won't
want mo after you get me-" sighed
Betty.
Billy looked At her. and his pulse
throbbed as he caught her and held
her close to him. II am going to
show father . thing or two" no
said. Hearing footsteps, he released
her.
A man supported himself. swaying
By the curtains in the doorway.
Z beg pardon" he said thickly.
Didn't mean to disturb you and the
lady. II was Just looking about,
Jon know1
A. he spoke. Billy covered him With
the little pistol he had taken from
the table drawer.
up with your handsi Quick about
Tho strangers ezpression changed
percepibly.
I've had = little too much. That's
all Don't make . row. I'll 60
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. The one grandfather gave
him. And mothers horseshoe of dia-
monds! What a bold thief"
The police made a 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
fAs friends house.
Billy held up his valuable old watch.
How many of you have lost jewelry
tonight?" He opened a box full of
pins. tHnkets and a string Of pearls
worth a kings ransom.
my pearlsi" shrieked Mrs. Stanley
Weyland.
my horseshoe pint" cried Betty's
mother.
my emerald bracelet" moaned Kit
ty Melears. Its the one you gave me,
Dick"
Quiet" ordered Billy. II have