Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-03-11
BETSEY'S IDEA.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Mrs. Kybcrs's drawing-room had
never looked loveier than OIL this raw
December afternoon. Long-stemmcd
roses in Royal Worcester vases, threw
out fragrant hints of June; a came
coal fire blazed in huge colonial fire,
place, and LiIlian's hair flashed back
its golden wires, half hidden by fan.
tastic Roman scarf.
Opposite the window. strange,
weird landscape in oils occupied the
place of honor. Many an artist owed
his life's success TO entering the "Roy-
al Road through Mrs. Kyber's after
noon receptions and the obscure DIES.
ciples of art We'd with each other for
her favor.
The room was full of people, quiet
of voice, elegant of attire. Mrs. Ky
Der stood by the doorway, smiling
and gracious.
Lillian, at the other end of the
room, was dispensing bread and
butter, orange-pekoc tea and brown,
frothing chocolate, and as the guests
came and went, Mrs. Kybcr was men,
tally coming to the agreeable conc,u-
sion that her afternoon was a success,
when suddenly her "dearest foe" one
Mrs. Magnus Martindale, flut:ered M
to her.
"Good-by, dear!' she said. $50
glad your rooms are so full IL But Won
always did attract people"
"Thank you!" said Mrs. Kyber.
serencly.
"And it's SO ridiculous, isn't it,"
added Mrs. Martindale, adjusting the
fifth button of her glove, 'phat you
and l should have Glanced to fix upon
the same evening for our reception?'
otis rather a coincidence obs erved
Mrs. Kyber.
"But then, You see, Signora Sivardi
could only come to me on Tuesday.
And Signora Sivardi is such an at
tractionl Good by! ! really mustn't
keep the horses waiting any longer"
Mrs. Kybcr's color had risen, and
then p,lcd. She looked at Lillian.
Lillian returned the glance with inter-
est, even whilc she gave old Mis-,
Pooley a cup of chocolate and listened
to d ctor Drowelrs tedious remin-
iscences of his last trip to Egypt.
Mother" she whispered as she
came past, carrying some sponge cakes
to lady i'll the corner, who seemed
temporarily neglected, "as true as YOU
live that woman has offered Sivardi
more than we did, and the singer has
thrown us overw
And Mrs. Kyber only responded by
look of despair.
While the lady in the corner was
eating her sponge cakes and drinking
amber-clear tea, Lillian ran up stairs to
the big western bedroom.
"Betsey," she cried, chcerfully,
"here is some chocolate and cake for
you, since you won't come into Il e
drawingroom."
A round faced, dark eyed girl of
twenty sat curried up in the window
seat, staring out at the leaden sky.
1t was Betsey Bloom, second
cousin of Miss Kyber.
"Me!" echoed Betsey, with an inn
patient movement of her shoulders
ain the drawingroom? l should look
pretty there, shouldn't /? But all the
same, Lillian, it's real good of you to
ask me. Mother said you city folks
would be ashamed of me, but you are
not-not bit!"
Lillian sat down beside her on the
window seat, and put her arm caress-
ingly around the ill-gowned waist.
"Betscy," said she, "you've been
crying"
''No, llain'tl"
"Yes, Betsey, you have. Tell me
what the matter is"
"The matter is" cried Betsey, "that
I'm failurel I've got to go back to
Cockletown and own up that I'm beat.
thought | was going to make a
living in New York, and l hain't no
show at all. thought, cause could
sing in the church choir. that / could
give lessons and get engagements
here. But ] can't"
"But you have a sweet voice, Bet
sey!"
$50 have nine hundred and ninety
nine other people. And I'm only
Betsey Bloom Of Cockletowu, aud !
never shall be amy one else if | live to
be Il hundred. So I've made up my
mind that I'll 90 back, aud go into