" HAPPY , sweetheart ?sx " Betty Goulding nestled closer into Alan Waters' arms , and her grey eyes shone with a light of utter contentment .sx " Very , very happy , " she murmured .sx " And you ?sx '' " At the moment absolutely happy , " was the instant reply .sx " How could I be otherwise , Betty darling ?sx Until now I never dared to hope you'd accept me .sx I know I'm not nearly good enough for " .sx A white finger pressed gently to his lips and Betty pretended to frown .sx " You mustn''t say silly things like that , my dear , " she protested .sx " Of course , it's awfully nice to be placed on a pedestal , but I'd always be afraid that one day you'd find out I was such an ordinary girl .sx Still , that's not what I was going to say , " she went on with a teasing little laugh .sx " How dare you qualify your degree of happiness by saying 'at the moment' ?sx That's not very gallant , is it ?sx " Alan Waters grinned boyishly , then grew serious .sx " 'At the moment' was correct , sweetheart , " he said .sx " In another five minutes I have to leave .sx You see , Betty , a struggling doctor mustn't neglect his patients .sx I can't afford to more especially now .sx I want to build up a successful practice so that you can have everything you want .sx " " As if that mattered !sx ' exclaimed Betty .sx Then a blush stained her cheeks as she continued .sx " There's only one thing I want , Alan .sx " " What's that , darling ?sx If it's at all possible I'll try to get it for you .sx " " I want you to keep on loving me just for ever and ever , " she whispered .sx For a long moment he looked into her eyes and his voice was a trifle husky when at last he spoke .sx " Betty , little girl , " he said gently .sx " I couldn't do otherwise even if I wanted to .sx " She felt his arms tighten and uttered a sigh of happiness .sx She knew she had found the one man in the world for her and nothing mattered now so long as he loved her .sx Her career she'd been so proud of the position she'd fought for and won , and the little flat she'd furnished so tastefully with hard-earned money , but they all counted as nothing when reckoned against the love that had come into her life .sx Alan seemed to read her thoughts for he glanced round the little sitting-room .sx " You won't regret giving this up ?sx " he asked .sx " And your job , Betty .sx I know how proud you are of your success .sx " " I suppose I have been proud of it in a way , " said Betty slowly .sx " After all , Alan , I worked for it and it's only natural I should be bucked about what little success I've had .sx You see , dear , " she explained , " I've been in London only eighteen months , and when I left home in Melchester everyone thought I would be a failure .sx They said London was full of people who could make dresses .sx They predicted I'd be back in Melchester within two months .sx I had a hard time at first , but when the firm found I could do designing I got a wonderful lift-up .sx I've been head designer now for six months .sx In fact , it was at the firm's staff dinner to which only the heads of departments are invited that I first met you , dearest .sx " " And it's exactly six months since I fell in love with you , Betty , " returned Alan at once .sx " D'you remember I asked you to dance and I was afraid you were going to snub me .sx " .sx " Will I whisper a little secret ?sx " murmured Betty , flushing again .sx " I was afraid , too afraid you weren't going to ask me .sx And now that I've made that terrible confession I'm going to turn you out , " she went on , rising from the settee .sx " Patients must be attended to , Alan , and I want to help you in your practice not to hinder .sx " She hurried into the little hall and came back , holding his overcoat .sx As she entered the room Alan moved forward to meet her , and the light from over the mantelpiece caused the overcoat to assume a strange shadow between them .sx It was almost as though some grotesque figure had raised an arm to forbid their meeting , .sx Betty Goulding shivered , but the next instant the shadow had vanished , dispersed by the involuntary lowering of the overcoat .sx " What's the matter , sweetheart ?sx " asked Alan anxiously .sx " You've gone pale .sx Aren't you feeling " .sx " It's nothing , dearest , " replied Betty , forcing a smile to her lips .sx " It was silly of me , but I couldn't help feeling that someone was coming between us .sx I think it would break my heart , Alan , if that were to happen .sx " " It won't , darling , " he whispered soothingly .sx " Nothing can possibly come between us .sx As soon as ever you're ready we'll be married and " .sx " and live happily ever after , " finished Betty , helping him into his overcoat .sx " What are you going to do after I've gone ?sx " he asked .sx " Write home , " replied Betty at once .sx " I want to tell Mother just how happy I am .sx Then when you can snatch a short holiday we'll go home for a day or two .sx I know she likes you , Alan who could help liking you ?sx " she finished fondly .sx For a long time after Alan left , Betty curled up on the settee and gazed into the fire , seeing pictures and dreaming dreams .sx She could see the home at Melchester ; could see her parents reading her letter ; could almost hear their conversation and their approval .sx Strangely enough , among her Melchester pictures in the fire there was none of Hugh Wintringham , for Betty in her new-found happiness had completely forgotten that such a person existed .sx But if she had forgotten others still remembered .sx In the little villa in the quiet country town Mrs Goulding uttered a gasp of surprise , then beamed across the breakfast table at her husband .sx " It's from Betty , Father , " she said .sx " You remember that good-looking young doctor Alan Waters ?sx Well , they're engaged .sx " " Engaged , eh ?sx Well , I'm not surprised .sx He's a splendid young man and he'll look after our .sx little girl .sx I suppose you'll be writing to her at once , eh ?sx Well , give her my blessing .sx " " Of course .sx And when you go out this morning you can call into the Melchester .sx Record office .sx The editor knows Betty well and I'm sure he'll be delighted to mention it in the paper .sx That'll let all her friends know .sx " " Mmm !sx " remarked her husband thoughtfully .sx " I'm wondering how that young scamp , Wintringham , will take this news .sx " The Man She Refused .sx THERE were others in Melchester who wondered the same when they read of Betty Goulding's engagement .sx In the sleepy little town , where everyone knew everybody else's business , the news was a topic of conversation as Hugh Wintringham came down the main street .sx Eighteen months ago Melchester had watched the budding romance growing up between Betty and the ne'er-do-well son of Melchester's wealthiest inhabitant .sx No one denied that young Wintringham was handsome and that his air of worldliness might sweep young Betty off her feet .sx And there were .sx many , too , who wondered why the romance suddenly ended .sx Hugh Wintringham turned into the doorway of the Saracen Hotel , a slight sneer on his dissipated face .sx A golden-haired barmaid beamed as he entered .sx " Hello , Hugh !sx Want a pick-me-up ?sx " " The usual , " shrugged Wintringham .sx The girl looked up archly while she served him .sx " Seen the paper ?sx There's a mention of that little girl , Betty Goulding .sx " The man almost snatched the paper from her fingers .sx " What about her ?sx " he asked quickly .sx " You used to be keen on her , didn't you , Hugh ?sx " " What's it got to do with you if I was ?sx " he demanded angrily .sx His hand shook as he raised the glass a second time and he pushed the empty tumbler across to be refilled .sx If Betty had forgotten him , Hugh Wintringham had not forgotten Betty .sx He could remember her every expression and her shy little laugh .sx He could remember , too , the look of horror on her face when he'd kept an appointment drunk .sx That was the beginning of the end .sx When she discovered his real character Betty had jumped at the chance of leaving for London , only too thankful for the opportunity of breaking permanently with the man she had come to despise .sx " He's cut you out , anyway , " said the barmaid .sx " Has he ?sx " snarled Wintringham suddenly .sx " We'll see about that .sx Let me tell you that girl thought a lot of me and I'm not going to let anybody cut me out .sx Throw the time-table across .sx " " You're not thinking of going up to London to see her ?sx " gasped the other .sx " Why shouldn't I ?sx " asked Wintringham .sx " I'll have a talk with this fellow .sx I'll bet she's never told him we were in love with each other .sx Besides , I'm not going to let any man take the girl I want .sx " All his passion for Betty burst suddenly into life again .sx He had more or less forgotten about her , but the news that another man had won her had made her desirable in his eyes again .sx If he promised to reform she might take up their friendship once more .sx He had no intention of reforming , but she needn't know that until after they were married .sx " She lives in Maida Vale , eh ?sx " he muttered , consulting the newspaper again .sx " I know that part .sx What time's the first train , Maudie .sx " " There's one leaves in fifteen minutes , a last one , too .sx It gets into London at five-twenty .sx " " That'll suit me .sx Let's have one of the pocket-flasks the largest size .sx See you when I get back .sx " With a sullen look in his eyes , Hugh Wintringham hurried from the hotel and made off towards the railway station .sx " I think he's dead " .sx As she passed the second landing on her way up to her own flat , Betty Goulding paused for an instant to smile a greeting to her landlady .sx The smile still lingered round the corners of her lips as she thrust the key into the lock .sx The key seemed to stick slightly , and it was not until too late she realised the importance of that .sx She threw off her hat and coat and leaned down to light the gas fire in the sitting-room .sx As she did so the heavy curtains parted slightly and a man peered through the opening .sx Then assured that Betty was alone Hugh Wintringham stepped out from his hiding place .sx Betty heard the movement and looked up , then sprang to her feet .sx " What are you do Why , it's Hugh .sx How did you get in and why are you here ?sx " she asked .sx " I came to see you , Betty , " replied the man huskily .sx " I found one of my keys fitted the lock and I just walked in .sx I wanted to talk to you and I was afraid you might not invite me in if I called in the usual way .sx " " You're quite right , Hugh , " returned Betty indignantly .sx " I certainly would not have invited you in .sx I told you more than eighteen months ago I wanted nothing more to do with you .sx Now you can leave this room as quickly as you like .sx " " Just listen to me a minute , Betty , " pleaded the man .sx " I've turned over a new leaf .sx I've stopped drinking and I've thrown over all the old crowd in Melchester .sx " For the briefest of moments Betty's heart softened towards her uninvited visitor .sx But as he approached her she knew that what Hugh Wintringham had told her was a lie .sx " I don't believe you , Hugh , " she said coldly .sx " At one time I might have been deceived into taking your word , but that time has gone .sx Now , please go away .sx I don't want to see you again .sx " " You've got to listen to me , Betty !sx " replied Wintringham .sx " I've come all the way to see you .sx I read that fool report in the paper to-day and I'm not going until I've talked you out of this silly engagement .sx Eighteen months ago you were in love with me and " .sx " I was never in love with you !sx " interrupted Betty scornfully .sx " I may have been foolish enough to be fascinated by the man I thought you were , but when I knew you for the man you really are I despised and detested you .sx