"Grey, Zane - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

for he told me so, and a better lad never lived."

"Lyde, you forget to include one other among those prostrate before Betty's
charms," said Alice.

"Oh, yes, you mean Mr. Clarke. To be sure, I had forgotten him," answered
Lydia. "How odd that he should be the one to find you the day you hurt your
foot. Was it an accident?"

"Of course. I slipped off the bank," said Betty.

"No, no. I don't mean that. Was his finding you an accident?"

"Do you imagine I waylaid Mr. Clarke, and then sprained my ankle on purpose?"
said Betty, who began to look dangerous.

"Certainly not that; only it seems so odd that he should be the one to rescue
all the damsels in distress. Day before yesterday he stopped a runaway horse,
and saved Nell Metzer who was in the wagon, a severe shaking up, if not
something more serious. She is desperately in love with him. She told me Mr.
Clarke--"

"I really do not care to hear about it," interrupted Betty.

"But, Betty, tell us. Wasn't it dreadful, his carrying you?" asked Alice, with
a sly glance at Betty. "You know you are so--so prudish, one may say. Did he
take you in his arms? It must have been very embarrassing for you, considering
your dislike of Mr. Clarke, and he so much in love with--"

"You hateful girls," cried Betty, throwing a pillow at Alice, who just managed
to dodge it. "I wish you would go home."

"Never mind, Betty. We will not tease anymore," said Lydia, putting her arm
around Betty. "Come, Alice, we will tell Betty you have named the day for your
wedding. See! She is all eyes now."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The young people of the frontier settlements were usually married before they
were twenty. This was owing to the fact hat there was little distinction of
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
one another, the common cause of their labors, and the terrible dangers to
which they were continually exposed, brought them together as one large
family.

Therefore, early love affairs were encouraged--not frowned upon as they are
to-day--and they usually resulted in early marriages.

However, do not let it be imagined that the path of the youthful swain was