to doubt that I am an honest girl."

"I do not doubt it, Betty," I answered. "I know you and respect you, and
you shall have no good cause to change your regard for me, if you have
any."

"Frequently gentlemen are rude to me in the tap-room, and I submit rather
than make trouble by resenting it, but you have always been respectful,
and--and I have appreciated it, Baron Ned. Father says I need not go to
the tap-room hereafter, but may direct the maids in the house, now that I
am growing old--near twenty."

"Twenty?" I asked. And she nodded her head proudly.

"Yes."

"I thought you were still a child," I remarked.

"No, no," she returned, looking up to me open-eyed and very serious. "I
am a woman."

"Yes, a beautiful child-woman--the most beautiful in all the world," I
said, grasping her hand and holding it a moment till its fluttering
ceased. "And I am jealous of every other man who comes near you."

I saw that my remark had offended her, so I continued earnestly: "I meant
it, Betty; I meant it. I was not jesting."

Betty sighed, looked quickly up to me, half in doubt, half in inquiry,
and was about to speak, but closed her lips on her words and leaned
forward, her head drooping eloquently. Her gentleness, her sweetness, and
her beauty were so tempting that I could not resist their charm. Again I
caught her hand, and it trembled in mine as she tried faintly to withdraw
it. I tried to check myself but failed, and I put my arm about her waist.
Then, after a mighty effort to stay my words, I said pleadingly:--

"Ah, Betty, I love you. Please, please, Betty, believe me, and--and--just
one kiss."

"No, no," she cried pleadingly, trying to draw away from me. "It
could not be honest between us. You are a nobleman--I, a barmaid. Your
friendship is very dear to me. Please let me keep it, Baron Ned, and
let me keep my regard for you. Let there be at least one man whom I do
not fear. You know there can be nothing honest between us, and if it
be possible that one so lowly as I can deserve your respect, let me have
it, Baron Ned, let me have it. Let me keep it, for it is the dearest
thing in life to me."

There was such deep entreaty in her voice that it touched me to the
heart, and I drew away from her immediately, saying:--

"I do know there can be nothing honest between us, Betty, and knowing it,
have suffered. What I have said to you is little compared to what I feel
and to what I would say. I can't help it that