The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-12-07

BY ALICE WYCKOFF.

the too evident state of affairs betwee
her and Owen, and as Betty "
never of the walltlower variety of gir
her remark seemed sufficiently explana
tory.
Better not carry that sort of thin,
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 celia
to the bare performance Of duty. "Its
a risky experiment. There are Away.
other girls, you know"
"They are welcome to Mr.. Owen.
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 tc
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 hope
less old maid. You can't keep up this
tritiing 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 trifling, dear?" she asked po-
litely, when she assured herself upon
the correctness of her couture.
Betty Farleigh, you're enough to
exasperate a saint" declared the in
dignant reformer. "After all the flirta-
tons you have carried on, and just
when we really thought you were go-
ing to be sensible, to flare up like this
in way to bring about another broken
engagement. l can all 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.
1--WE never yet gone begging"
"You will soon if you don't watch
out" was her sisters vicious retort.
Determined to jab her little darts deep
enough to reach any sensitive nerve
that might underlie Betty's invincible
armor, she volunteered 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 Alloson's blond beauty and
big fortune"
"Who are 'people?" inquired Betty
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
lot Of needless worry which the facts
In the case do not justify. Since you
insist upon taking him seriously" she
went on with a peace-at-any-price in
Election In her tone, II will tell you
some things about him that you evil
IDENTIFY do not know. Mr.. owen is
simply a very correct gentleman who
Is eaten up with egotism, and who
has favored me with mild and uncer-
tain admiration which in it's initial
stages he mistook for love. He is be-
ginning to realize his little error now
that his tentative affections are again
occupied with an old sweetheart re-
Gently become a widow.
"Shall l enter the lists with this
Shall 1 run after him? l
think l see myself! On the contrary,
have just sent back his ring, with a
polite note regretting that | won't be
able to see him again before leaving
for my long visit to Mabel Dacre. SO,
rs they say in diplomatic affairs, |
hope you will recognize that the Owen
is closed, and won't worry
any more about it. I'm sure
| shan't."
This unwontedly long and sober
speech from Betty was a genuine sur
prise to her sister, to whom jealous
Or neglected Betty Was a novel and in
credible idea requiring effort to assimi-
late.
"Perhaps you would better manage
It in your own way, my dear" she
said meekly, and withdrew to adjust
her mind TO this novel situation.
But Fate-and Owen-refused to
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 a
appealing Owen, whose heart
was in his eyes, and who held out
both hands eagerly in way very diff
ferent from the correct nonchalancc
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 l
swear I 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
tremblc.
II thought you were still in love with
that hateful June, and wanted to be
free she confessed humbly.
what rot" he declared rudely. II
can never be grateful enough to her
for preferring Hart, poor fellow.
Won't you take me back, Betty? It's
my only chance to be happy"
And Betty, with queer tremulous
smile that almost turned to tears, an