The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-06-21
Betty Changed
Her Mind
By LAURA A. DUBOIS

K ~ LAURA A. DUBOIS 3
q. iss;. $ GsciSss S:sssss.s - -sssSiass:.,
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 q great,
pale, golden ball, shedding 4 soft, cool
Light over the landscape. The grain
had all been harvested, and numberless
cricksts were chirping In the short
stubble, while now and again the cry
Of "whip-poor-will' came up from the
grove Of fr 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 fioated 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 chatter1ng.
Then one by one the voices ceased
and the hammocks became deserted.
Everything became even more quiet.
was revelling 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 whtrr of
Aola h1k
along the road. and before I could col
lect my scattered thoughts there was
confused bang and cIatter, and j caught
glimpse of two bodies flying into the
bushes beside the road.
simultaneously with this heard 4
woman's suppressed shrek and 4
smothered exclamation in gruff, mascu-
line tones. Then the figures assumed q
stif, upright position, hurriedly picked
up the wheels and proceeded to hnd
out the damage done.
what In the name of common sense
were you on the wrong side Of the road
forfr demanded the mans displeased
voice.
II wasn't ON the wrong side of the
road You weren't looking before you.
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
hendls-bars Of their bicycles.
II beg your pardon, but you were.
and my. eyssight il perfectly, In fact
extremely. good"
The man bent and took q wrench
from his tool case.
II was not !" came the emphatic re-
sponse. "Oh, dear! 'Eook at that aw-
fll rent In my skirt !! The idea Of any
one riding along as you did. without
looking where you were goingl Just
precisely like a man. anyway. You
should"
The voice sounded slightly fearful.
and the man broke In disgustedly /:
"Oh, confound It'll Do keep quiet a
minute till fix these handlebars and
then I'll straighten yours"
"Humph! I don't need your assist.
ance. thank you'll"
silence for few minutes as they
worked over the wheels.
There" said the man at last. q note
Of satisfacti and relief In his voice
"Now lot me put your wheel to rights"
The woman had evidently been un-
successful as 4 mechanic, for she gave
the bicycle. although reluctantly, into
his hands. She thanked him curtly as
he returned It, and began awkwardly
to apoloGise.
''I- am sorry about your dress, but
accidents will happen. II there IL any.
thing 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 delightedly
"And Jack Carew, toow
The whole party now Joined in the
laugh.
"oh, I forgot-Miss Parsons. let me
present Mr.. Carew."
The two bowed stiffly. and I 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 1t. 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
nifed in a severe white gown, came
over to see me. She calls on me fire.
qusntly. sometimes four or ave times a
day, especially If she has anything on
her mind. This morning there were
little wrinkles between her eyebrows,
and her eyes apparently gazed at vis-
ions afar on. for she didn't praise my
asters (among which I was working at
the time).