around his neck. This so changed his every-day appearance
that he felt wonderfully dressed and whistled gaily
on his way to the barn. There he confided in the old
gray mare as he curried and harnessed her to the spring
wagon.

``Hardly know me, do you, Betsy?'' he inquired.
``Well, I'll explain. Our friend Bel, here, has doomed me
to go courting this year. Wouldn't that durnfound you?
I was mad as hornets at first, but since I've slept on the
idea, I rather like it. Maybe we are too lonely and dull.
Perhaps the right woman would make life a very different
matter. Last night I saw her, Betsy, and between
us, I can't tell even you. She was the loveliest, sweetest
girl on earth, and that is all I can say. We are going to
watch for her to-day, and every trip we make, until
we find her, if it requires a hundred years. Then some
glad time we are going to locate her, and when we do, well,
you just keep your eye on us, Betsy, and you'll see how
courting straight from the heart is done, even if we lack
experience.''

Intoxicated with new and delightful sensations his
tongue worked faster than his hands.

``I don't mind telling you, old faithful, that I am in
love this morning,'' he said. ``In love heels over, Betsy,
for the first time in all my life. If any man ever was a
bigger fool than I am to-day, it would comfort me to
know about it. I am acting like an idiot, Betsy. I know