Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-07-27
Betty Changed
Her Mind
By LAURA A. DUBOIS

&c, lszS, by Mcclure Newspaper SynolceteJ
1t was the early part of September,
and the day had been exceptionally
warm for the season, but as evening
came on the air grew deliciously cool.
The moon was at its full, and rose slow
ly above the mountain like great,
pale, golden ball, shedding q soft, cool
light over the landscape. The grain
had all been harvested, and numberless
crickets were chirping in the short
stubble, while now and again the cry
Of "whip-poor-will" came up from the
grove of fir trees.
The long road wound away, white
and narrow, between its borders OF
small shrubs and masses Of golden-rod
and lost itself among tall cedars, frs
and birches. The air was full Of the
scent of autumn flowers.
Hammocks were stretched under the
locust trees, and from them foated the
sound of low-toned voices, as II the
owners were weary, or the charm OF
the night too beautiful to be broken by
animated chattering.
Then one by one the voices ceased
and the hammocks became deserted.
Everything became even more quiet.
1 was revealing in the peace of my
surroundings, and dreaming of other
such evenings long past-spinsters of
83 do dream Of the past occasionally
when suddenly there was a whirr Of
bicycle wheels both north and south
along the road, and before could col
lect my scattered thoughts there was a
confused bang and clatter and caught
a glimpse Of two bodies flying into the
bushes beside the road.
simultaneously with this l heard a
woman's suppressed shrek and a
smothered exclamation in gr11ff. mascu-
line tones. Then the figures assumed a
stiff, upright position, hurriedly picked
up the wheels and proceeded to find
out the damage done.
what in the name of common sense
were you on the wrong side of the road
for2" demanded the mans displeased
voice.
II wasn't on the wrong side Of the
The moon seems to have affected your
eyesight" and the smaller Of the two
figures became very erect They stood
glaring at each other over the twisted
handle-bars of their bicycles.
81 beg your pardon, but you were,
and my eyesight is perfectly, in fact
extremely, good"
The man bent and took wrench
from his tool case.
81 was not I" came the emphatic re
Spouse. ooh dear Look at that aw
full rent in my skirt The idea Of any
one riding along as you did, without
looking where you were going Just
precisely like a man, anyway You
should"
The voice sounded slightly fearful
and the man broke In disgustedly
"Oh, confound 1t Do keep quiet a
minute till l fix these handle-bars and
then I'll straighten yours"
"Humphl 1 don't need your assist.
ance, thank you'll"
Silence for a few minutes as they
worked over the wheels.
"There," said the man at last, note
Of satisfaction and relief in his voice
"Now let me put your wheel to rights
The woman had evidently been un.
successful as q mechanic, for she gave
the bicycle, although reluctantly. into
his hands. She thanked him CURLY as
he returned II, and began awkwardly
to apologize
II am sorry about your dress, but
accidents will happen. If there is any.
thing l can do"
Several other riders came up and
alighted.
"Well, of all things Betty Parsons,
what are you doing here in this
plightr asked a girls high voice,
which recognized as that of Bess
Harris. She was laughing dellghtedly.
"And Jack Carew, too"
The whole party now Joined in the
laugh.
"Oh, 1 forgot-Miss Parsons, let me
present Mr. Carew."
The two bowed stiffly, and 1 could
tell by the slight, naughty raising Of
Betty's head that she almost gave a
little sniff Of contempt. You see,
know just how she does it, as Betty
happens to be my niece, although
hadn't recognized her until her name
was spoken, and she Immediately
turned her back upon Carew and be-
gan talking to one Of the newcomers.
Next day Betty, looking cool and dig
nlfied In a severe white gown, came
over to see me. She calls on me fire.
quently, sometimes four or five times
day. especially If she has anything on
her mind. This morning there were
little wrinkles between her eyebrows,
and her eyes apparently gazed at Wis.
ions afar off, for she didn't praise my.
asters (among which I was working at
the time).
Mother is mendlng my bicycle skirt
this morning." she said when I told
her how nice she looked, cor / should
have come over on my wheel. That hor-
rid man who is staying at Bess Harris
ran Into me just In front Of your house
last night, and tore an awful hole In
the side of my skirt. Mamma scolded
like fun, said was careless, and few
other things and I came over here so
she wouldn't have to keep her eye on
me while she mended the skirt. She
thinks I'm a baby STILL" scornfully.
(Which horrid man do you mennT
! asked, lnnocently.
"Oh. a Mr.. Carew, from Boston," she
replied slowly "Have you seen him
YETI
SWELL" 1 answered, 81 haven't been
introduced, but I've seen him pass the
house several times"