The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-12-29
THE way OF A MAN
BY ALICE WYCkOFF,

zone gets tired of the same man al
ways" pouted Betty In reply to her sis
ter's iaterrogative comment concerning
the too evident state of affairs between
her and Owen, and as Betty was
never of the wallfiower variety of girl
her remark seemed sufficiently explana.
tory.
Better not carry that sort of thing
too far, my dear" advised Mrs. More
land, with an ominous air of wisdom.
Having assumed Betty as responsible.
ity, she naturally desired to add eclat
to the bare performance of duty. TITS
risky experiment. There are always
other girls, you know"
"They are welcome to Mr.. Owens
attentions, I'm sure" remarked Betty,
coolly. "A few other people are nice
to me-"
Now, Betty, what's the matter with
your demanded Mrs. Moreland Sc
verely. "You gave us every reason to
believe you really intended to marry
Mr.. Owen, a perfectly suitable match.
And it's time you married somebody,
unless you mean to settle into a hope.
less old maid. You can't keep up this
trifliDg forever"
Betty was trying a new style of do
ing her hair, and at that moment was
much absorbed in achieving the proper
twist.
"What trifiing, dear?" she asked DO
litely, when she assured herself upon
the correctness of her couture.
Betty Farleigh, you're enough TO
eSasperate a saint" declared the in
dignant reformer. "After all the fiirta-
tons you have carried on, and just
when we really thought you were go
ing to be sensible, to flare up like this
in a way to bring about another broken
engagement. l can tell you, my lady,
If you ever mean to marry, you'd bet
ter make up your mind about it soon
In few more years you'll not have the
chance"
Let us hope for the best" consoled
Betty, with provoking equanimity.
i've never yet gone begging"
you will soon if you don't watch
out" was her sisters vicious retort.
Determined to jGb her little darts deep
enough to reach any sensitive nerve
that might underlie Bettys invincible
armor she volunteered a little fiction
she thought calculated to produce that
| desirable effect.
Already people are saying that Mr..
| Owen has been won away from you
| by Hester Allosons blond beauty and
big fortune"
'Who are 'people?" inquired Betty
TRANQUILITY, but the involuntary catch
in her voice and the sudden flash Of
her eyes We're not lost on her tor
mentor. you are giving yourself a
lot of needless worry which the facts
in the case do not justify. Since you
| insist upon taking him seriously" she
went on with peace-at-any price in
| Election in her tone, Il will tell you
some things about him that you evil
| IDENTIFY do not know. Mr.. Owen is
| simply very correct gentleman who
is eaten up with egotism, and who
| has favored me with a mild and uncer-
| tain admiration which In its initial
stages he mistook for love. He is be-
| ginning to realize his little error now
occupied with an old sweetheart re-
Gently become widow.
"Shall l enter the lists with this
| paragon? Shall / run after him?
| think l see myselfl On the contrary, l
have just sent back his ring, with a
polite note regretting that l won't be
able to see him again before leaving
for my long visit to Mabel Dacre. SO,
as they say in diplomatic affairs, l
hope you will recognize that the Owen
incident is closed, and won't worry
yourself any more about 1t. I'm sure
l shan't."
| This unwontedly long and sober
speech from Betty was genuine sur
prise to her sister, to whom a jealous
or neglected Betty was novel and in
credible idea requiring effort to assimi-
late.
perhaps you would better manage
1t in your own way, my dear" she
said meekly, and withdrew to adjust
her mind to this novel situation.
| Out OWtu-ItIu TO
consider the incident closed. That
very evening when the last visitor
had departed from Betty's parlor there
came a quick, imperious ring at the
door bell. Thinking that her visitor
had forgotten his cane, umbrella or
other of his belongings, Betty opened
the door to admit him. He was d
harassed, appealing Owen, whose heart
was In his eyes, and who held out
both hands eagerly In way very diff
ferent from the correct nonchalance
of his ordinary manner.
"Tve been hanging round here for
an hour waiting for that fellow to
leave" he burst out impetuously. "Oh,
Betty, l didn't know / could care so
much for any woman living. What
ever I've done to offend you, and /
swear l don't know what it can be,
won't you forgive me? Tell me what's
wrong won't your
| Betty gazed at him with won
dering eyes, and her lips began to
tremble.