Betty Zane

one spring and summer without hearing the dreaded war cry of the Indians. Colonel Zane, who had been a disbursing officer in the army of Lord Dunmore, where he ha

s were bound for Fort Henry. One of these pioneers was a minister who worked in the fields

rrison. His duties, as well as those of the nine other members of the garrison, were light. For two hours out of

retted his hasty exhibition of resentment and would have been glad to establish friendly relations with her. But she would not give him an opportunity. She avoided him on all possible occasions. Though Alfred was fast succumbing to the charm of Betty's beautiful face, though his desire to be near her had grown well nigh resistless, his pride had not yet broken down. Many of the summer evenings found him on the Colonel's doorstep, smoking a pipe, or playing with the childr

are much the same as girls in thickly populated and civilized districts. They liked his manly ways; his frank and pleasant manners; and when to these virtues he added a certain deferential regard, a courtliness to which they were unacc

he distinction of being the belle of the border, they were secretly pleased. Little hints and knowing smiles, with which girls are so skillful, made known to Betty all

hand in the game, Betty would have continued to think she hated Alfred, and I would never have had occasion to write his story; but

, and a soft, bluish, smoky haze hung over the water. The forest seemed to be on fire. The yellow leaves of the poplars, the brown of the white and black oaks, the red and purple of the maples, and the green of the pines and hemlocks flamed in

and curled shelling bark, were all well known and well loved by Betty. Many times had she wondered at the trembling, quivering leaves of the aspen, and the foliage of the silver-leaf as it glinted in the sun. To-day, especially, as she walked through the woods, did their beauty app

up, tenderly placed the foot on the ground and tried her weight on it, which caused acute pain. She unlaced and removed her moccasin to find that her ankle had commenced to swell. Assured that she had sprained it, and aware of the serious consequences of an injury of that nature, she fe

him. He did not come at her call. How annoying! If Tige were only there she could have sent him for help. She shouted several times, but the distance was too great for her voice to carry to the fort. The mocking echo of her call came back from the bluff that rose to her left. Betty now began to b

hen she heard the light tread of moccasined feet on the moss behind her. Starting up

presence. In a single glance he saw the wildflowers scattered beside her, the little mocca

er of his band of redmen, rather than have this young man find her in this predicament. It provoked her to think that

ent of hesitation. "What in the world has h

red up her flowers and the moccasin and rose slowl

the fleetest part of a second, the full gaze of her eyes. He stopped short. A closer scrutiny of

u have hurt yourself. Lean u

you," he continued,

him to take the goldenrod from her arms. After a few hesi

, noting how white she had suddenly become. "You have sprained your

d Betty, in evident di

ot so-v

e stopped again and this time a low moan issued from her lips. She swayed slightly b

?" she whispered faintly, at

ould rather wait here and suffer a half hour longer while I go for assistance? It is only

pressed such utter wretchedness that his heart melted. After all she was only a child. He turned to see the tears running down her cheeks, and with a suppressed imprecation upon the wilfulness of young wome

r. Her face was hidden by the dusky rippling hair, which tumbled over his breast, brushed against his cheek, and blew across his lips. The touch of those fragrant tresses was a soft caress. Almost unconsciously he pressed her closer to his heart. An

ad in his hand and ran into the house when he saw them. When Alfred

Is she badly hurt? I have always looked

only sprained her ankle, and trying to walk afterward hurt

were terribly frightened. Sam came running into the house with some

yours never fails to say something against me,"

s getting old and we humor him, perhaps too much. We

couch and consigned to

ronounced the in

a few days," said she, with a touch of hu

so often that I don't see how we shall

rs he continued, earnestly. "I will apologize for the manner in which I disregarded Miss Zane's wish not

ng back to his sister after he had closed t

owly poured the hot water over the swollen and discolored ankle. Betty's lips were pale. Sh

it hurt much?

se it hurts," retorted Betty. "That water is s

u something so you will know how much more you owe him. Do you remember last month when that red heifer of yours got away. Well, Clarke chased her away and finally caught

d her face at the words of her brother, who, blind as brothers

his enforced idleness she had ample time for reflection and

he quiet scene, the rolling river, the everchanging trees and the pastures in which the red and white cows grazed peacefully; or she would watch with idle, dreamy eyes the

im so often? True, he had saved her brother's life. Still she was compelled to admit to herself that this was not the reason. Try as she would, she could not banish the thought of him. Over and over again, a tho

ronger and she knew she could not remain much longer in her room, she dreaded more and more the thought of meeting him. She could not understand herself; she had strange dreams; she cried seemingly without the slightest cause and she was restless and unhappy. Finally she grew angry and scolded herself.

ege indoors, two of her friends, Lydia Bo

ous curls around her demure and pretty face. An adorable dimple la

ed Lydia. "Lying here all day long doi

er," said Betty. "I am blue.

cheer her," said Alice, mischievously, her

swered Lydia. "

. Girls who have lost their interest in the old pleasures, who spend their spare time in making linen and quilts, and who have sunk their very personalities in

ing her finger at Betty. "Your turn is coming. When it does

d the attentions of the only two eligible you

te," answered Lydia. "Harry Martin, Will Metzer, Captain Swearengen, of Short

pt hunting Indians and Bill

"Only this, I know Billy adores you, for h

nclude one other among

harms," s

him," answered Lydia. "How odd that he should be the one

ipped off the ba

n that. Was his find

nd then sprained my ankle on purpose?"

s. Day before yesterday he stopped a runaway horse, and saved Nell Metzer who was in the wagon, a severe

re to hear about it

tty. "You know you are so-so prudish, one may say. Did he take you in his arms? It must have been

ing a pillow at Alice, who just managed

ting her arm around Betty. "Come, Alice, we will tell Betty you

* * * * *

f rank and family pride. The object of the pioneers in moving West was, of course, to better their condition; but, the realization of their dependence on

ged-not frowned upon as they are to-day-an

r, it was more than likely that, if it were winter, he would be met by a volley of water soaked snowballs, or big buckets of icewater, or a mountain of snow shoved off the roof by some trickster, who had waited patiently for such an opportunity. On summer nights his horse would be stolen, led far into the woods and tied, or the wheels of his wagon would be taken off and hidden, leaving him to walk home. Usually the successful lover, and especially if he lived at a distance, would make his way only once a week and then late

dition to relieve some distant settlement, or a defense for themselves. For all, it meant a rollicking good time; to the old people a feast, and the looking on at the merriment of their children-to the young folk, a pleasi

ing the delicate weblike coat of ice on the river sparkle as if it had been sprinkled with powdered diamonds. William Martin, the groom, and his attendants, met at an appointed

e more ditches, bogs, trees, stumps, brush, in fact, the more obstacles of every kind, the better, as all these afforded opportunity for daring and expert horsemanship. The English

, over logs and brush heaps, up the little ridges of rising ground, and down the shallow gullies, unheeding the stinging branches and the splashing water. Half the distance covered and Alfred turned, to find the roan close behind. On a level road he would have laughed at the attempt of that horse to keep up with his racer, but he was beginning to fear that the strong limbed stallion deserved his reputation. Directly before them rose a pile of logs and matted brush, placed there by the daredevil settlers who had mapped out the route. It was too high for any horse to be put at. With pale cheek and clinched teeth Alfred touched the spurs to Roger and then threw himself forward. The gallant beast responded nobly. Up, up, up he rose, clearing all but the topmost branches. Alfred turned ag

ps. The groom got the first drink from the bottle, then came the attendants, and other

bride's home he found her in readiness. Sweet and pretty Alice looked in her gray linsey gown, perfectly plain and simple though it was, without an ornament or a ribbon. Proud indeed l

wife, to love, cherish and protect her all

swered a dee

wedded husband, to love, honor and

id Alice, in

Those whom God has joined tog

back, and the pommeling he received at the hands of his intimate friends were as nothing compared to the anguish of mind he endured while they were kissing his wife. The young bucks would not have considered it a real wedding had they

sounding kiss. Releasing her he turned toward Lydia and Betty. Lydia eluded him, but one of his great hands clasped around Betty's wrist. She tried to look haughty, but with everyone laughing, and the young man's face expressive of honest fun and happiness she found it impossible. She stood still and only turned her face a little to one side while George kissed her. The young men now made a rush for

d Betty, breaki

ubmit when she caught sight of Wetzel's familiar figure. She

is usually stern face. "See here, you young bucks. Betty don't want to be

the block-house had been decorated with evergreens, autumn leaves and goldenrod, which were scattered profusely about, hiding the blackened walls and bare rafters

the hall, and the way he sawed away on his fiddle, accompanying the movements of his arm with a swayi

Bright homespun shirts and scarfs had replaced the everyday buckskin garments. Major McColloch was talking to Colonel Zane. The genial faces of both reflected the pleasure they felt in the enjoyment of the younger people. Jonathan Zane stood near the door. Moody and silent he watched the dance. Wetzel l

eaming faces, and smiling in his half sad

for you to ask me, I fear I should have to wait a long time. Come, Lew, here I am asking you, a

his hands, and everyone stared in amazement at the unprecedented sight Wetzel danced not ungracefully. He was wonderfully light on his feet. His striking

ng but the evidence of my own eyes," said Colonel Za

l as Lew, the girls would be thank

as standing with the Colonel and the Major. "If I were only a young man onc

e a young man and should come a-wooing you would not get a rebuff from

will you dan

, for as the music commenced, she turned and without saying a word or looking at him, she placed her hand on his arm. He whirled her away. She gave a start of surprise and delight at the familiar step and then gave herself up to the charm of the dance. Supported by his strong arm she floated around the room in a sort of dream. Dancing as they did was new to the young people at the Fort-it was a style then in

d pleased," said Betty,

race for the bottle this morning. I never saw such logs and brush heaps and ditches in my life. I am sure that if the

one of the best he had ever seen, and t

are to take that ride again. It ce

ike the fort

ch seemed strange at first have become very acceptable to me now. I find everyone so honest and simple and brave. Here one must wor

answered Betty. "You have l

Alfred, as B

nt with which the girls credited yo

eard I had a singular aptitude for d

d with the boys?" asked Betty,

new. I like Colonel Zane immensely too. The dark, quiet fellow, Jack, or John, they call him, is not like your other brothers.

o hear that,

e my home. Please do not believe everything you hear of me. Some day I may tell you my story if you care

to imply-" began

ut yourself. Is it not rather d

. I knew my place was with my brothers. My aunt pleaded with me to live with her and not go to the wilderness. I had everything I wanted there-luxury, society, partie

me to seek my fortune. You came to bring sunshine into the home of your brother, and left your fortune behind you. Well

w the future. Perhaps some of it will be unhappy. I have made my choice and will cheerfully abide by it. I rather envy your being a man. Yo

. I wish to tell you how sorry I am that I acted in such a rude way the night your brother came home. I do not k

surprised and vaguely troubled

e allowance for a naturally quick temper,

nd unkind. But I made amends,

give up until you forgive me. Consider h

Betty, who had arrived at the conclusion t

et it. And the sprained ankle? It must be

are inclined to the language of compliment. My ankle is

for company. When I met you I pretended to be surprised. As a matter of fact I was not, for I had followed your dog. He took a liking to me and I was extremely pleased, I assure you. Well, I saw your face a moment before you knew I was as near you.

y more of that," said Betty with di

of finding you and of helping you. I cannot forget that. I am

s looking for me," an

lfred, detaining her. "Since you have been so kind I ha

ark eyes which wavered and fell be

He cannot see me

g me. What is the good

ee you. Ple

at his persistence. "I should think you would know that such

ou mean by hiding the belle of the dance away like this? I want to dance with you, Betts. I am having a fine time. I have not danced anything but Indian

ies. After an hour he slipped away to his room. He wished to be alone. He wanted to think; to decide whether it would be best for him to stay at the fort, or ride away in the darkness and never return. With the friendly

th its curtain of pale gray mist, and beyond, the dark outline of the forest. A cool