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 lovcier than OH this raw
December afternoon. Long-stemmcd
roses in Royal Worcester vases, threw
out fragrant hints of June; camel
coal fire blazcd in huge colonial fire.
place, and Lillian's hair flashed back
its golden wires, half hidden by fam
tastic Roman scarf.
Opposite the window. strange,
weird landscape in oils occupied the
place of honor. Many an artist owed
his life's success 10 entering the "Roy-
al Road through Mrs. Kyber's after
noon receptions and the obscure des-
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, orangc-pekoc tea and brown,
frothing chocolate, and as the guests
came and went, Mrs. Kybcr was men,
tally coming to the agreeable concu-
sion that her afternoon was a success,
when suddenly her "dearest foe" one
Mrs. Magnus Marlindale, flut'ered up
to her.
"Good-by, dearw she said. $50
glad your rooms are SO full ! But you
always did attract people,"
"Thank you!" said Mrs. Kyber,
serencly.
"And it's SO ridiculous, isn't it,"
added Mrs. Martindaie, adjusting the
fifth button of her glove, "that you
and l should have Glanced to fix upon
the same evening for our reception?"
'Its rather coincidence" observed
Mrs. Hyber.
"But then, you see, Signora Sivardi
could only come to me on Tuesday.
And Signora Sivardi is such an at
tractionl Good byl l really mustn't
keep the horses waiting any longer"
Mrs. Kybcr's color had risen, and
then pled. She looked at Lillian.
Lillian returned the glance with inter-
est, even While she gave old Miss
Poolcy cup of chocolate and listened
to d ctor Drowell's tedious remin-
isccnces of his last trip to Egypt.
Mother she whispered, as she
came past, carrying some sponge cakes
to lady in the corner, who seemed
temporarily neglected, Gas 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, chccrfuly,
''hcre 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 Betseyt Bloom, second
cousin of Miss Kyber.
"Me!" echoed Betsey, with an inn
patient movement of her shoulders
ain the drawingroom2 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 a 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 beer
crying
''No, hain'tl"
Eyes, Betsey, you have, Tell mt
what the matter is"
"rhe matter is" cried Bctsey, "thai
I'm failurel Eve got to go back tC
Cockletown and own up that I'm beat.
l thought l was going TO make
living in New York, and l hain't ne
show at all. thought, cause | coult
sing in the church choir. that | coult
give lessons and get engagement
here. But ! can'tp
"But you have a sweet voice, Bet
seyw
$50 have nine hundred and ninety
nine other people. Aud I'm onl,
Betsey Bloom of Cocklctown. and
never shall be amy one else if | live I,
be hundred. So I've made up m,
| mind that I'll go back, aud 90 int,