The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-08-16
BETTINA'S DEER
-
BY eEULAH W. RICHARDSON
Copyright 1919, by the Mcclure Newspa.
per Syndicate.)

| per Syndicate)
Don't believe any wandering hunt
er would mistake me for deer, do
you, gnnddad?" demanded Beitina
Ray as she danced forth from the old
farm house door, arrayed In bright red
flannels and bearing brother Fred's
rife. ''Probably not n four-legged
one" shyly replied grandma. survey
ing the saucy scarlet tam perched on
BettIna's golden locks.
"Well. gran, you see rs Fred isn't
home from camp. it's up to me to keep
mp the family record Of shooting n
deer this season." replied Bcttina. I'M
pressively, as she placed some shells
In the magazine OF the rifle.
dispose you could lift the rife, Bett,
II you should see anything to shoot
at?" sarcnstlcally shouted five-year-
old Buddie from the barn door. where
nc was busly devouring soda crackers
spread thIckly with ketchup. Gran
ME, dear" called BettIna In through
the window. you really mustn't give
TINT boy any more ketchup. for II nj.
ways makes him sick Mt home: that
Is. IL he chances to find It, although
mother doesn't intend he shall"
"Wcll, Betty girl, II you get n deer"
called grnnddnd MS Bettina started M
the rugged mountain pnth. "why. I'll
give you a little rondster In exchange
for his skim "I'll take the bet
grnn," cried the girl merrily. as she
rounded the turn and disappeared
from view.
Bettina tramped slowly along
through the fallen leaves lost in
thought. She was thinking Of two
years previous, when she had last paid
visit to her grnndfather's farm In
Maine; on that memorable trip Dici
Haskell, the son OF one OF her grand.
fathers neIghbors. then Just grndu'
ated from U. Of NJ. had fallen most
deeply In love with pretty Bettinn
Consequently the two had spent many
pleasant hours together during the
following weeks. Just before Bettina
returned to her city home, Dick mr.
IDENTIFY confessed his love for her. He
met with the laughing reply. "Oh. but
Dick. when marry. ! am going to
marry u perfectly dear man,"
Bettina really loved the good look.
ing young fellow, and had only meant
to tease him bit; but apparently
Dick hnd taken her seriously, for he
never pursued the subject. Upon
Bettina's return to the city he Ind en-.
listed and gone overseas.
"Hnrk!" breathed BettIna stopping
short at q noise In the mnderbrush.
"Gracious, chance to win That roads
ter" as she perceived fawn-colorei
object moving through the bushes.
She raised the rife and fired. Bang /!
and down crashed the game.
Bettina ran forward; outstretched
on the dead leaves lay soldier! "Oh.
what have done" cried the terrified
girl as she hurried to the still form ;
''and it's Dick. too" she exclaimed,
lifting his head to her lap. "Oh
Dick look up to me-" walled Betty.
"oh. why. why. did I ever shoot? But
couldn't have Injured him very
much. nm such poor shot"
she reasoned. "Dick. please speak to
me-" cried Bettina again bending
down and pressing her face close ia
his.
Slowly the young soldiers eyes
opened and happy grin overspread
his face as he said: Betty. have you
found that perfectly dear man yet?'
''Oh yes" replied Betty happily. Civ.
ing him a bear hug. Fright here
Dick"
"You naughty boy" continued Betty
Grossly. "you just fooled me by max.
ing believe you were killed! don't
care. I've got an offer from grandma
for your skim" Then she proceeded
to tell Dick Of the roadster her grand.
father had promised her.
When the two reached the farm.
house Bcttlna drew Dick into the
kitchen. Here Is my deer, granddad
but you just can't have his skin. as
have decided to keep 1t as my pcrma.
nent property" cried Betty merrIly.
Thereupon the story Of how Uncle
Sans khaki uniform Ind been mis-.
taken for the color of deer. was told
to both her grandparents.
Let 1t suffice to say that Bcttina not
only kept her deer skin. but moreover
went on her honeymoon In an ndor.
able little roadster-her wedding
gift from granddad.