The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-04-18
Betty Changed
Her Mind
By LAURA A. DUBOIS

and the day had been EXCEPTIONAL!
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 a great
pale, golden ball, shedding a soft, COO
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 fioated the
sound Of low-toned voices, as If 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.
was revealing In the peace of my
surroundings, and dreaming of other
such evenings long past-spinsters of
80 do dream Of the past occasionally
when suddenly there was whirr of
bicycle wheels both north and south
along the road, and before 1 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 1 heard
woman's suppressed shrek and
smothered exclamation in gruff, mascu-
line tones. Then the figures assumed
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
for?" demanded the mans displeased
voice.
Il wasn't on the wrong side Of the
road You weren't looking before you.
The moon seems to have affected your
eyesightl" and the smaller of the two
figures became very erect. They stood
glaring at each other over the twisted
handle-bars Of their bicycles.
Il beg your pardon, but you were,
and my eyesight is perfectly, in fact
extremely, good"
The man bent and took a wrench
from his tool case.
II was not" came the emphatic re-
Spouse. "Oh, 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 It'll Do keep quiet a
minute till fix these handle-bars and
then I'll straighten yours"
"HumphI 1 don't need your assist
ance, thank you'll"
Silence for a few minutes as they |
" orked over the wheels
There" said the man at last, a note |
Of satisfaction and relief In his voice.
Nov let me put your wheel to rights"
The woman had evidently been I'M
as a mechanic, for she gave
The bicycle, although reluctantly, into
ais hands. She thanked him CURLY as
ne returned 1t, and began awkwardly
% apologize.
II am sorry about your dress, but
accidents will happen. If there Is any
hing I can do"
Several other riders came up and
lighted.
swell, Of all things Betty Parsons,
What are you doing here In this
olight7" asked a GIRLS high voice,
which I recognized as that Of Bess
Harris. She was laughing delightedly.
And Jack Carew, tool"
The whole party now Joined in the
augh.
"Oh, I forgot-Miss Parsons, let me
resent Mr.. Carew."
The two bowed stiff1y, and 1 could
ell by the slight, naughty raising of
'etty's head that she almost gave a
tile sniff Of contempt. You see, I
now just how she does 1t, as Betty
appens to be my niece, although 1
admit recognized her until her name
as spoken, and she Immediately
lrned her back upon Carew and be-
an talking to one of the newcomers.
Next day Betty. looking cool and dig
fled In a severe white gown, came
YER to see me. She calls on me fire. l
lently, sometimes four or five times a
ny, especially If she has anything on
sr mind. This morning there were
tile wrinkles between her eyebrows,
I'd her eyes apparently gazed at Wis
ms afar off, for she didn't praise my
'ters (among which was working at 5
e time). .
Mother is mending my bicycle skirt
is morning." she said, when told
,r how nice she looked, cor I should
i've come over on my wheel That hor-
d man who is staying at Bess Harris |:
n into me just in front of your house e
st night, and tore an awful hole in IL
e side of my skirt. Mamma scolded C.
re fun, said was careless, and few "