The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1920-04-02

r-r-
JiiD's heart-rhe heart Nhlch had
carried him unafrsid through patrols
In No Mans Land and wei the top
almost failed him now.
Betty engaged-Betty engaged
Betty engaged He leaned against the
fence for support. WIS She fascinated
by Van NOrden's lieutenant'S uniform
or the fact that he was wounded orr
no, that wasn't fair. thought honest
Jim. Billy Van Norden was a dnndy
fellow. He deserved a corklng girl.
But his Betty!
Why had she not writtenl But they
had only been engaged two days He
was two days TOO late, provided things
hadn't gntten too far before thar. He
hadn't dreamed
Wei, he would go away as unOb-
trusively rs he had comeback to
camp and then-anywhere but Bolton.
lie might sign up for the regular army.
He might
What was this bounding down 10 the
gatel Good old doggie," whispered
Jim. Good old doggie!" A suspicious
moisture gathered in his eyes. This
was the little dog she had played with.
had named for him. Sergeant, you
couldn't keep her for me, could you,
old bOyT
Here, Sargie, here. Sargle" he
heard Betty's dear voice calling.
He tried to send the dog back. hut
Sergeant, overioyed AT this glimpse Of
his master, would not be driven away
lie frisked about Jim's feet, jumped up
and licked his hands and barked Joy
ouSly.
81 must see what that dog Is up to-"
said Betty, and before Jim realized it
she was down the path and at the gate,
searching for the cause of the dogs
excitement.
What she saw made her step back
quickly, her hand on her throat. There
stood jim looking wlstfully, hungrily
at her.
"Jim r. she said. "Jim!"
Betty, | came-l came to--hnng 1t,
Betty, why couldn't you give a fellow
a hint2"
Give you 9 mini. what?" asked Bet
~. still in a sort Of daze al the sudden
appearance of this person she thought
Wna fhnuoaudy ~ u,fln. a,-cy
THAT you were getting engaged"
said Jim reproachfully.
"Rul I'm mott" she cried. I'm not %
'Then what did Billy Van Norden
mean?" said Jim, bewildered In his
turn.
A light was beginning to break on
Betty's p%erplexity. oh" she said
"well. l wrote you that my cousin
from out West was here on her first
visit didn't II
ayes" said Jim. but ! don't see"
Did ! mention her name7"
81 don't remember"
well, It's Elizabeth, the same as
mine. We were horn on the same day
and our mothers gave us the same
name. So she is Betty. too. Cousin
Betty is engaged TO Billy Van Nor.
den"
Jim took a step toward her. "For
give me, Betty" he said. ~ thought Of
course It was you and | was all broker
up. You e-ever since we went t.
high school together you've been my
girl. I've come to tell you so. VIII you
say you are7"
Betty looked up into the eyes Of hel
soldier. How long the months hat
been "Jlm, dear" she said, ~ an
your girl. ] always have been."
Jim drew her to him and, unseen by
The people on the porch, who wondered
who on earth Betty was g0ssipinl
with. they stood for a mement in clos,
embrace.
Then Betty stopped down and picked
mp the little dog. III he hadn't barkeC
| wouldn't have come down, and you
would have gone away and we nigh.
never" Her look told Jim what he
lips did no say.
jim put his arms about both dol
and girl. Good old doggie :" he cried
81 did you IN injustice. You did Civ
her hack To me. after air.