The Owosso times., 1920-05-21

J'm's heart-the heprt which had
carried him unafraid through patrols
In No Mans Land and over the top,
almost failed him now.
Betty engaged-Betty engaged
Betty engaged T. He leaned against the
fence for support. Was she fascinated
by Van NortleD's lieutenant's uniform
or the fact that he was wounded or
no. that wasn't fair. thought honest
Jim. Billy Van Norden was a dandy
fellow. He deserved a corkIng girl.
But his Betty!
Why had she not written7 But they
had only been engaged two days! He
was two days too late. provided things
hadn't gotten too far before that. He
hadn't dreamed
Well, he would go away as unob-
trusively as he had comeback to
camp and then--anywhere but Bolton.
He might sign up for the regular army.
He might
What was this bounding down to the
gate? Good old dOggie." whispered
Jim. "GoOd old doggie 7" 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. Sargiey" he
heard Betty's dear voice calling.
He tried to send the dog back. but
Sergeant. overjoyed at this glimpse of
his master. would not be driven away.
He 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 1t
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 wistfully. hungrily
at her. !,
"Jiml" she said. "Jim"
Betty. I came-I came to-hang 1t,
Betty, why couldn't you give fellow
q hint?"
Give you a hint, whatY asked Bet
ty. still In sort Of daze at the sudden
appearance Of this person she thought
was thousands Of miles away.
THAT you were getting engaged"
said Jim reproachfully.
"But I'm not |" she cried. "I'm not 2"
"Then what did Billy Van Norden
mean?" said Jim, bewildered In his
turn.
A light was beginning to break on
Betty's perplexity. "Oh." she said;
swell, wrote you that my cousin
from out West was here on her first
visit. didn't II" !.
"Yes." said Jim. But don't see"
"Did I mention her nameT'
81 don't remember"
well, it's Elizabeth, the same as
mine. We were born 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. II thought of
course 1t was you and was all broken
up. You see-ever since we went to
high school together you've been my
girl. I've come to tell you so. VIII you
say you are?"
Betty looked up into the eyes Of her
soldier. How long the months had
been! "Jim, dear" she said. ~ am
your girl. l always have been"
Jim drew her to him and, unseen by
the people on the porch. who wondered
who on earth Betty was gossiping
with. they stood for moment in close
embrace.
Then Betty stopped down and picked
up the little dog. "If he hadn't barked
I wouldn't have come down, and you
would have gone away and we might
never" Her look told Jim what her
lips did not say.
Jim put his arms about both dog
and girl. Good old doggie! !" he cried.
II did You an injustice. You did give
her back to me, after allw