The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-21

any difference. It's all the way you
act"
Betty was silent.
shes certainly queen, isn't she,
Bet? And didn't she look pretty IN
that pink sweater 2"
..She certainly did, Bob. You have
good TASTE Betty slid out of the
swing st must go and fix the salad
now, so run along home. Bye-bye-
In the days that followed, ROBIN
lived in happy haze of unreality and
dreams. Eleanor was kind, too kind
for his peace of mind, and she had
allowed him to call. But he found
some of the satellites around when he
went. That was no fun ana ne rather
guessed they were making sport of
him anyway. So, knowing the power
of ridicule, he stayed away and had to
content himself with the telephone,
notes and messages in boxes OF candy
and flowers.
He found a willing ally in Betty, to
whom he took all his troubles There
was the time the candy store burned
down. Many a box of delectable
sweets came from Betty's kitchen in
tended for the fair Eleanor. And
many a bit of shopping she did for
Rob upon birthday OF like occasion
when a woman's taste was required.
She managed his campaign to perfec-
ton and kept him posted as to the
goings and comings of his rivals and
planned opportunities for him to meet
the object of his dreams.
you're brick, Beti What on
earth you'd I do without you?" de-
clared Robin one day.
"Oh, you'll get along all right some
day when things get settled and you
and Eleanor are married.
'Marriedt'' he cried. do you think
she-oh, Bet, do you think she cares
for me?'
"She must, or she wouldn't have let
you do all you've done. You've been
awfully good to her, Rob! Think of
all the things you've sent her and the
money you have spent on her. Be-
sides, she must know that you care
Eyes, I guess she does know it by
this time. But really I've never act
ually told her that I loved her.
well, why don't you? You've
known her a good while, and you are
rich enough to support her and you
always say age doesn't make any diff
ference. Why don't you tell her that
you love her? Faint heart-you
know"
ST believe I will, Bet, this very night
if none of those fools is hanging
around. They think I'm a kid, but I'll
show them. Craig Halsted has nearly
driven me crazy with his guying- Say,
Betty" in sudden panic, "how do you
propose to a girl?''
She laughed. ST can make your
candy and do your shopping and ar
range your meetings, but 1 can't do
your proposing. Every one seems to
have his own way" demurely.
How do you know
ooh, I knowi"
why, how many proposals have
you had to talk SOP in the tone of a
patronizing big brother.
"Well-there's one, two. three"
counting on her fingers, -four, five
this summer. Not so bad!"
t'RettVi 7 didn't dream Won Uere
such a flirt. When has all this been
going on?''
Going on?"
81 think it is scandalousi"
$50 do 1! But" with demure1y lifted
brows. ST can't help it if they love
me-"
Betty Wright! This doesn't sound
like you. My old chum. You
anxious accepted any of
them, have your"
I'm not saying
''But-why, Betty, what would 1 do
if you got married.
would it make any difference? I
could still help you. E1eanore could
Darn Eleanor! It's you I'm wor-
rying about, Betty. I don't want you
to get married''-their eyes met and
held-t'to anybody but me-" he fin
ished- ITS you 1 love, Betty-no one
else. I've just found it out but it's
true. Look here, dear you aren't real
ly engaged. are your"
Not precisely" she laughed. Then
added: Eleanor is going to marry
Craig after Christmas, but don't tell
it's secret" -(Copyright, 1916, by
the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)