The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-12-04
BARTERING OF BETTY
BY ANITA cAvENAueH.

ly as his 175 pounds would permit
"are you fitting me? Here is your
ring. bought it today" He toss
ed the jeweled circle on the table be-
fore them.
'---Aaeis, .Billy, what beauty? May l
try jtNon for minute?"
aRor1as long as you like. No
other woman will ever wear a ring Of
mine" There was bitterness in his
young heart.
II wish you could put it on.
Billy, just as If nothing had hap
pened.
He saw the tears glittering on her
lashes and suddenly caught her hands
in his own.
What is 1t. Betty dear? What's
gone wrong since last night? Be hon
est with me. girll'
Betty glanced about her apprehen-
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?"
mo, Billy / love you better than
anything else in this world"
'7rhat 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
lyl" she cried sharply. Don't make
love to me. If 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 good business start,
that you have no head for figures
I'm 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
her close to him. Il am going to
show father a thing or two" he
said. Hearing footsteps, he released
her.
A man supported himself, swaying
by the curtains in the doorway.
Il beg pardon" he said thickly.
Didn't mean to disturb you and the
lady. IL 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.
"Tve had little too much That's
all. Don't make a 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 sunmons. 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-
| ~ ,nt b.1IA
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 fioundered 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?7 He opened box full Of
| pins trinkets and string of pearls
worth kings ransom.
MY pearls!" shrieked Mrs. Stanley
| WeyIand
MY horseshoe pin!" cried Betty's
mother.
My emerald bracelet" moaned Kit
ty Melears. TITS the one you gave me,
Dick
Quiet" ordered Billy. II have
everything. There's the thiefi"
He pointed to the stairway where
two policemen could be seen leading
away their prisoner.
How did this happen, young man?'
Betty's father was perturbed. He was
annoyed that any man could take his
watch without his knowledge. He had
prided himself al his life on his abil-
ity to read character. 'The fellow
did not look like thief"
People. like things, are not always
! what they appear" suggested Billy
lneaningly. Il may not look like
business man myself but am going to
make you look to your laurels in that
Snyder-M -Mynatt suit tomorrow. And
! fssssppose might as well tell you since