The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-01-22

by ANITA cAvENAuot4.

Gu lAo JeWeitu Clrcl6 ON Cn6 tapl6 De-
fore them.
"oh, Billy, what beauty? May I
try It on for a minuts?"
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 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, girl"
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"
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, BIZ
ly!" 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 1t to him solemnly.
He says that l am keeping you
from getting good business start,
that you have no head for figures"
In other words, he thinks I'm no
| man, just a plain boob"
NO, 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. II 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. 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 handsl Quick about
III"
The strangers expression changed
perceptibly.
I've had a little too much. That's
all. Don't make q row. I'll 20
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-
mondsi What 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, II" he floundered miser
ably, not caring to announce a 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 Bstty's
My emerald bracelet" moaned Kit.
y Melears. TITS the one you gave me
Dick"
Quiet" ordered Billy. I have
everything. There's the theft"
He pointed to the stairway where
.wo policemen could be seen leading
away their prisoner
How did this happen, young MANI"
3ettys father was perturbed. He was
that any man could take his
vatch without his knowledge. He had
'rided himself all his life on his abil-
ty to read character The fellow
I'D not look like a thief"
People, like things, are not always
What they appear" suggested Billy
neaningly. Il may not look like a.
uslness man myself but am going to
1ake you look to your laurels In that
nyder-Mynatt suit tomorrow. And
suppose might as well tell you since
QUILL have to know It anyway, I am
DING to marry Betty"
Upon my soul, you astonish ma
Iri"
My dear GIRL" whispered Bettv's
ather to her, don't tell Billy what
aid about him. can't afford to have
I'm for an enemy. Tell him that
Ill be proud to welcome him into nv
'mily. Tell him anything you like
hes the. young scoundrel who is
bout TO beat me out of that fifty thou
mo In the Snyder-Mynatt case.
ons put up with it. He ought to
ave business for us older lawyers
ID nave good time. He's too young
take life seriously yet"