The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1917-08-17


less old maid. You cant keep up this
triling 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 trlfling, dearf" she asked pO-
litely, when she assured herself upon.
the correctness of her coiffure.
"Betty Farleigh, you're enough to
exasperate saint" declared the In
dignant refOrmer. after all the fiirta-
ti6hs you have carried on, and just
when we really thought you were go
ing to be sensible, to fare up like this
in. way to bring about another broken
engagement. l can tell you, my lady,
il 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.
"Tve never yet gone begging"
'YOu will soon if you don't watch
out" was her sisters vicious retOrt.
Determined to Jdb her little darts deep
enough to reach any sensitive nerve
that might underlie Bettt'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 AllOsOns blond beauty and
big fortune"
"Who are 'peOpleT" inquired Betty
TRANQUILITY but the involuntary catch
in her voice and the sudden flash OF
her eyes were not lost on her tor
mentor. you are giving yourself II
lOtSOf needless worry which the facts
in the case do not justify. Since you
insist upon taking him seriously" she
went on with a peaee-at-any-pric 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 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
paragOn2 Shall l run after him?
| think 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
| yfaGf 10 fahoI noRra M
as they say In diplomatic affairs,
hope you will recognize that the Owen
incident is closet and won't worry
yourself any NOR about it. I'm sure
l shan't"
This unwOntedly long and sober
J speech from Betty was genuine sur
! prise TO her sister, to whom 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 meekIy. and withdrew to adjust
her mind to this novel situation.
But Fate-and Owen-refused 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 n
harassed, appealing Owen, whose heart
was in his eyes, and who held out
both hands eagerly in a way very diff
ferent from the correct nOnchalance
of his ordinary manner
1--WE been hanging round here for
an hour waiting for that fellow to
leave" he burst out impetuOusly "Oh,
Betty, / 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
tremble.
81 thought you were still In love with
that hateful June, and wanted to be
free" she confessed humbly.
"What rot" he declared rudely. 81
can never be grateful enough to her
for preferrlng Hart, poor fellow
/, Won't you take me back Betty? lt'
my only chance to be happy"
, And Betty, with a queer tremulou'
smile that almost turned to tears, an
: ! - = Al,ata IN