The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-25

would present himself again; the golden
key would give weight to his proposals,
and surely their mutual fidelity would
claim consideration.
Bur the golden key did not come into
his possession till long afterward and
then, though Baroness Betty was still
unmarried. he did not present himself
again. for great changes had taken
place in the fortunes OF her house; ruin
had come 10 IL. ruin absolute and ir-
retrievable. Her parents were dead
killed, It was said. by the shock and
the humiliation; everything was sold.
Betty and her brother Karoly had to
ieaved the moated schloss and hide
themselves in this little mountain vii
lage. where they had lived ever since
on a pittance just sufficient to keep body
and soul together. Betty's chamberlain
cied unmarried and bequeathed to heI
the golden key which was to have been
for them the key OF happiness. Did he
not to say so himself in the farewell note
which he penned with his sick, tremu-
,ous hand7 1t lay now beneath the key
and it's velvet wrapper.
"J'avais cru que ce serait pour nous
la clef du bonheur'-so began the
wavering line that had gone struggling
over the paper now yellow with age.
Betty did not read them-she knew them
by heart-but she balanced the key a
moment in her hand and as she did &c
the sadness went out of her smile;
after all, 1t was something to have had
this love in her life!
Having locked away her treasure, she
went rustlirg over the painted floors
amid furniture which she had herself
waxed and polished on the previous day:
the Baroness Betty did great deal OF
Homework. for she liked every thing to
be exquisitively neat and clean, and
there was only one servant She cooked
very often for Karoly, or, as he pre-
ferred to be called. Charles. for French
was the language of their youth and
they spoke it still between themselves.
Charles then was somewhat dainty. and
like petits plats very finely dressed. She
also washed and got up his shorts and
did the major part Of the gardening,
while Charles walked up and down the
narrow path and gave her the benefit
kof his advice
There are too many weeds here, my
sister, he would say. and then Betty
would get up hastily from the border
on which she was actually engaged and
trot across TO the spot he pointed out
tucking up her worn print gown yet g
little higher as she went
How sharp your eyes are" she would
say, as she squatted down once more
and her little sunburnt hands flew hithel
and thither
And then Charles would smile with {
superior air and remark that certainl.
a weed never did escape him. for. tt
be sure. he hated them.
Betty was very active for her sevent,
years, and, as she invariably rose witt
the lark. she managed to get through
multiplicity of employments while tn
day was yet young so that her after
Moons might remain free for walks witt
her brother or calls upon the sick vii
layers But today she was going to b
fine lady.
She held her head quite high and mad
little mincing steps as she entered tn
sitting room. where she at once tool
possession OF the sofa Baron Charles
: who was a small. slight man, very Xix
her in appearance, though. except for
certain dignifed and CHEEKY determine
ton TO make the best of their falle
fortunes. unlike her in everything else
looked UP approvingly from beneath hi
shaggy brows:
"Que tn es BELLE" he said.
Betty smiled consciously and crosse
her small. hard-worked hands upon he
siTken lap.
Il thought. as It was feast day
e she began.
But certainly you have done well,
, he interrupted. Fastening 20 assure ne