The Owosso times., 1920-12-31

on coat and waistcoat to be sure, but
the clinging wet shirt revealed mus
cles and torso to delight any eye {;
moreover, his clutch of her showed
giant strength. He didn't wait for her
to refuse Bellows eager invitation.
Homes nearer-going there Is the
best preventive Of taking cold," he
said almost brusquely. Its mighty
nice Of you to offer us fire and shell
ter-thank you a lot-but wet dogs
had better get to their own Kennels"
Then he half-led. half-dragged Betty
away, bowling airily to the pair they
left. On the way to the log Betty
stopped him, pointing to Towering
tree overhead, and reaching silently
to twitch off lOw-hapging clusters of
starry flowers. She was quite willing
to be carried over the stream. Peter
set tentative foot on the log, then
plunged down to the streamside, say.
ing, with grin, I'VE can't be wetter-
here goes" then went strlding steadily
across. He put down his passenger
unbidden, picked up her hat and flow
ers and started along the hOmeward
path at nearly dOg-trot But Betty
kept up with him quite cIeverly. In a
Whit her color had come back. her
eyes were shiny. not clouded, and her
hair beginning to frame her, face In
adorable small tendrhs. Viewing all
which from the corner Of his eye, he
smiled whimsically, saying, Lucky
those Others" nodding backward.
"can't see you now, Betsy! Jack
would fall in love with you all over
again, and Cousin Emma want to bite
herself with jealous spite. Fine as
she looked in her outdoor get-up. she'd
have nothing on you. Now you have.
as the darkies say, Done come un-
drowned Did you wish anything on
her when you got the flowers?"
mot a thing" Betsy painted. run
ming yard ahead Of him. He caught
her arm saying, sternly, "No running
away, miss! Things have got to be
settled right here and now."
"Oh have they7" Betty flung over
her shoulder, twisting so her face was
hidden. She was all In glOw-the
twinkle In Peters eyes had betra yed
him. Besides-it was about tiTe to
settle things-but she would ne, er in
the world let them be settled otherwise
than as she pleased. Peter had been
so long, so steadfastly her merry slave,
captive as much to her elfn humor
as to her beauty and womaJ.ly charm,
1t was delightful to have him even
pretending to lord 1t over her. Then,
too, she could take his breath when
ever she chose-she smiled in think
of 1t, but wondered little how he
would bear the surprise Of his life.
Finding him silent she ran on, 81
did wish things, though. Why don't
you ask about themi Is your curl
osity drowned the same as your new
shirt?"
"No-I'm merely waiting until you'll
have to tell me-or perish in the at
tempt not to-" Peter said reflectively. |
Betty made face at him.
swish one was-never again to see
a person named Bellew," she began.
Peter nodded: "Good work !"
With silencing glance she went |
on severely: "Wish two, that you'd |
say must marry you at Easter"
Here Peter put up imploring hands,
crying, "This is so sudden. You fell
in love with me same time you fell
In the creek, I suppose?"
mo sir-ee," Betty laughed. "lt's
only you showed how well you knew
what to do in emergencies. / think
you'll be handy to have in the house."
"An unchristian martyrw Peter eja-
eyes that belied his
cnnaoh