Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-05
PRIZE SUGGESTIONS, PRACTICAL FASHIONS A
The Daily Story
When Betty Spoke


That had been her, Bettys, place for SO
long that it had come TO be considered
And IL might have been hers yet II Beri
had not oh. we'll, Of course, she was
some to blame! 1t was not all Berte
fault She admitted that reluctantly, for
Betty thought great deal of her little
self He was dreadfully provoking, but
they would have made up weeks ago IL
she had not gone to such lengths and
reared an impossible barrier between
them.
"And that's the truth. Betty BrownH'
she apostrophzed now "Why did / do
such ridiculous thing? | might just
have said I'd never speak to him again;
| girls always say that! And I ought to
have stopped there but when he grinned,
| so knowingly, as II there was nothing In
that as there isn't usually, I let 1t
provoke me into declaring that If | ever
did speak 10 him again It would he be-
cause I had made up my mind to marry
him! why, It will be the same as propos-
ing II | ever speak to him now-when
I've evaded-- can never do itH' she
sighed.
Bert had not been greatly crushed by
her ultimatum. He spoke to her cor
daily at every opportunity, in spite Of
her nonresponse, with something like
elated expectancy in his manner that
stung Betty to more determined stub
bornness.
II suppose he thinks ! will! But he'll
see"' she said, firmly
She had persisted in ignoring him iCly,
until at length he seemed to conclude
that 1t was hopeless. and avoided meet
ing her. All the time of course, Betty
had been hoping he would, somehow,
make her speak, though she would not
have confessed It, nor the disappointment
she felt ut his finally abandoning his
efforts and accepting the situation
She lrted desperately which gave her
small satisfaction. as 1t apparently did
not disturb him in the least. He nrted,
too. and so fervidly that it began to look
serious in regard to Addie Stark. Betty
felt that she was losing all the fun of
life, and all the joys well.
She had simulated successfully q gaiety
of spirits almost boisterous at the noon
light skating party, but had really been
so miserable at seeing those two, Bert
and Addie. gliding about. always to-
gether, that she had determined not to
go TO the coastinE route. She had re-
fused all offers OF escort; but now. at
the passing of the gay party. she sud
denly changed her mind whipped on her
suit, tucked the becoming cap on her
curls, and darted after Ned and his
chum, who had Just started.
Tagging" Ned chaffed. But he made
no objection, for Betty was as good at
coasting as any boy of them. fully as
fearless and as fleet-footed. and now she
rushed with them down alleys. through
back yards and over fences, going across
lots the nearest way.
Thus when the crowd arrived. Miss
Betty was triumphantly sailing down the
longest. steepest course with the yelling
boys, cheered by the mob of town youths
usually on the hill.
Most of the girls confined themselves
to the short, easy slope at the side, un-
less in charge of strong, capable escort
at Is dangerous, just with those boys
Betty" demonstrated her friend, Alice
Hoover.
And 1t is unladylike for a girl to go
fOundering down with n gang of fell
lows" commented Adde Stark, super
ciliously.
You don't dare to. that's ALL" Betty
retorted.
"Im not the only one Bert said-'
Berts appearance cut short the speech,
and laughing shrilly. Betty ran away to
the boys, and coaxed them over to a still
sleeper spot, where only the more skilful
and daring ventured. Her blood was boil
ing! So Bert had been critlcising her to
Addie! 1t seemed the bodest treachery!
As for Addie-the little cat!-she was en-
vious because she had not the courage to
undertake the long descent. She looked
sconfully over at Bert taking tame little
flights. with Addie clinginG to him,
shrekinE in exaggerated fear. Betty
4. t.. IL, z.FA A
hill with the bounce at the end that sent
them flying across the bottom. They had
taken it together many times. Now 1t
was unladylike of her. was it?-and she
with her own brother!
Her indignation grew. and with 1t her
recklessness Little by little she drew the
boys toward the post that bore a danger
sign. which marked the limit of the
coasting ground. Beyond the post the
hill was fine, but at the foot the railroad
swung up against 1t as II curved to CROSS
the river. and 1t was not easy to see a
train till It was close at hand. 1t was
plainly no place for coasting, though a
few ventured at times, the spice of dan
ger adding zest to the sport.
Betty had always wanted to swoop
down and fly across the track, perhaps
catching sight of an oncoming train. 1t
would be thrilling! But she had no in
tention of undertaking 1t now. though in
IIe nODu 10 30 as near II as possible.
Look out, Ned" some one called
you're getting too close there! Better
come back!"
you're so close now little bump
would throw you on the track. Don't
you see that, Betty?" Alice interposed,
anXiously
"Oh. Betty wants to show off," Addie
sneered. and unfortunately. at the same
instant Bert commanded:
"Ned you boys bring your sleds
over hero at once! You're foolhardy!"
With scarlet cheeks and flashing eyes,
BETTY snatched a sled and ran to point
directly over the railroad and prepared
for a downward flight alone Command
her, would he? or course he meant her!
Shed show him. There was an uproar of
warning shouts from the young men and
shrieks from the girls, but Betty was too
angry to heed. AS she started another
sled shot down diagonally and midway
the hill ran into hers, throwing them
both into the deeper snow. where they
rolled over and over. and brought up at
last I'm a tangle on the brink of a plunge
Just as a train swept along below.
White and shaking at the narrow
escape Betty took herself OF the head of
her rescuer, sobbing:
"Oh, Bert. Bert! Have I killed your" At
the instant of collision she had seen who
II was attempting to stay her foolish
flight at the risk OF his life. She had been
too angry and excited TO understand that
a train was coming-but she had been
silly-so sillyl
she covered ,ar faca ne Pant s.t -,