Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1919-10-23
ACame for
Three
n
By A. ". PEACH

&NN3S
.or the return of her lover, knew by
The expression Of his face that he had
net with disaster. He had gone into
he library where Mr.. and Mrs. Nor
sross were reading, and there he had
asked permission to wed the girl of
bis choice, who happened to be their
lri~ght-haired,' blue-eyed daughter.
"No luck, RayT" Betsy asked.
He sat down glumly. mot a bit.
Your mother did the talking, and in
formed me that under no circumstances
was ! to have you. She was willing
that we continue as friends, but as for
m~arriage-not a bit of It'll And she
made no bones Of saying so. Then
your father agreed with herl"
~ can't understand fatherT Betsy
said explosively. HE likes you, !
know; and all mother has against you
ls-is-well, dear, she thinks you
aren't blue-blooded enough, while !
think" She snuggled herself beside
him by way Of completing the SEN
tence."
I'm hot blooded enough just now"
he answered, smiling family down
Into the petal-like uplifted face.
Betsy, how can | ever, eyer give you
upr Pain and longing were In his
voice.
She looked up at his worried, hun
cry eyes, and the rose deepened in
her cheeks. Mischief was In her glance
and meaning.
do you have tot" she questioned.
He started as he caught her mean
Ing, and she felt his firm shoulder
culver. "You mean?" he asked, hope,
doubt and love mingled In his eyes.
"Why. my dear, I do not intend to
let my mothers prejudice come be-
tween mi and you; SO ! say. Let's
pack up and gitr"
He sprang to his feet and caught
her to him in a bearish hug. "And I
can'ti l simply can't give you upl
Well skip-when?"
Tonight" she said, ~wriggling loose
from his arms.
The quick brain that had made him
a valuable man In one of the down
town brokers' offices turned the posi-
bilities over once. BETSY, can you
manage to get out-say, about nine
o'clock? That will give me time to
make arrangements" The fire died in
his eyes. 1--WE can do 1t. I'll tele-
phone Mr.. Judson, an old minister
friend of mine, who lives about 20
miles out. But is 1t right by your"
She drew his face down to hers and
kissed him. Everybody trusts You ex-
cept mother; so folks will be with US.
AS for me, l am willing to give myself
to you and your care; and If you
don't take me-grab me now you have
a chance-T1l begin to believe you are
something Of a cowardr
1t was a challenge. Ten minutes
later Elder was on his way to make
the arrangements, and she vas saun-
tering serenely into the library, where
her mother sat reading, and where
her father came a moment later. Betsy
wondered If he had been in a posi-
ton to overhear the conversation In
the den.
my dear, 1 am sorry, but Mr.. Elder
will not do. l have betetr hopes for
you," her mother said in her firm
way. II am sure your father agrees
with me-"
Her father peered over his paper.
"EIder has a fine reputation among
the men, but I am inclined to think he
lacks something the right sort of
a man should have, and that is nerve"
Mr.. Norcross said unsmilingly.
"oh, is that sol" Betsy said, smiling.
Mother, do you agree?"
"Well, / have always thought he was
lacking in stamina" her mother an
Bwered.
Betsy went out, hiding her smiles.
II wonder what they will think after
tonight"
At nine o'clock she was ready. a
slight, eager, joyous figure, just where
the tall trees on the corner threw
their heavy shadows.
Elders quick, steady stride caught
her ear as he came up the almost de-
serted street. In a moment he was at
her side.
"Betsy, the deuce is to pay. Your
mother te%lephoned Novell's garage,
and Novel;, afraid he'd lose her trade,
wanted me to promise l was not up to
anything. It's enough to drive a man
mad. Now I've got in touch with
some downtown garage. It's a."
A car rolled softly to the curb. "Par-
don me, sir, but is this Mr.. Elder? l
am from Novell's garage. He told me
to tell you that he had changed his
mind, and that l am under your or
ders, sir" the husky voice of the
driver said.
One moment for thought and Elder
acted. He lifted Betsy into the car,
gave the directions to the driver. The
powerful motor whispered a little, and
they rolled off into the dusk on their
adventure.
Elder gathered the slight figure be-
side him into the shelter of a protect
ing arm, and he whispered into one
small EAR: Betsy, we are on the way.
Novel; evidently had a change Of heart.
But If anywhere along you have the
least doubt, say the word and we will