Zane sat on the doorstep smoking, Betty came and sat beside him with her head resting against his shoulder.

The Colonel smoked on in silence.
Presently the dusky head moved restlessly.
"Eb, tell me the message," whispered Betty.
"Message?
What message ?" asked Col.Zone.

"What are you talking about ?" "Do not tease--not now.

Tell me." There was an undercurrent of wistfulness in Betty's voice which touched the kindhearted brother.
"Well, to-day a certain young man asked me if he could relieve me of the responsibility of looking after a certain young lady." "Oh----" "Wait a moment.

I told him I would be delighted." "Eb, that was unkind." "Then he asked me to tell her he was coming over to-morrow morning to fix it up with her." "Oh, horrible!" cried Betty.