Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-28

was cold and some of her high spirits died away by the time they reached the warm house.
 The first day things were all right. Bettina was kept so busy exploring the farm that she had no time to be lone some. The next day things were not quite so nice. There wasn't anything to read and the fields and woods did not look quite so inviting as Bettina had thought they would. she was glad to go to bed early and walked the next day the day before Thanksgiving, in a very bad temper. 1t had turned much colder and her fingers were so stiff that she could hardly dress, there be- ing no fire In the room. The day dragged on, and Bettina in sheer de- spair helped cook the dainties that she was to eat the next day. At dusk the farmer brought the, tri-weekly pa- per from the city and tossed 1t over to Betty, who was eager to read the news of home. She glanced at the first page and then something caught her eye that sent the blood back to her heart and left her pale and sick. What should she do In big headlines was announced the Accident in the White hall Brothers wholesale house Three injured fatally and among them one of the firm, John Whitehall, Jr." She read no further, but tossed the paper to the wondering cousins and dashed to her room to pack her suit case. The evening train could be caught if they hurried and Cousin Alb hitched up the team quicker than he had in his life. Neither he nor Bettina will forget that ride to town. She was nearly wild and kept saying: "It's my fault, all my fault" But they reached the station in time to get the train and in due sea- son the train reached the city, though Bettina thought the four hours eight It was midnight when they got there She took a cab and went straight to the Whitehall house, only to find 1t dark and lifeless. After ringing three times and getting no response, she di- rected the cab: driver to take her to the Mercy hospital, rstlecting that they would probably have taken him there and that the family was there to say good-by to him. She hoped she would be in time to have him speak to her again. The cab waited for her at the door of the hospital, while she made inquiries, finding that there was no pa- tient of that name in the building. The matron looked at her rather se- verely and Bettina began to recognize that 1t was after midnight and that she was alone--hardly conventional situation. Nearly frantic with grief and suspense, and not knowing what eIe ArN In r11n tonished father let her in at one o'clock and asked rather sternly for an ex- planation He looked at her rather strangely as she explained, and then he told herdto go to bed and he3would take her to the house in the morning, if she wanted to relieve her mind by being forgiven. She plead to go now, and then told him that she had been l to the house and could rouse no one. All the comfort she got was that she probably had got the wrong house, and she was mot sure that this was not true. So she went to. bed, and her l father told her mother that Bettina had learned her lesson and that he was going to rub 1t in a little in the morn ing. 1 oOlGAA6 SpCAb & BSAuAuOAy Wdk01Ul night for the first time in her life. l She was up betimes and her pale tear 1 swollen face almost made her father relent, but he foresaw greater happi- ness for her by letting things take their course. So as soon. as breakfast l was over he told her to get her things Ion and they started The servant who l opened the door of the Whitehall man. 1 sion was too well trained to show any surprise as he let them in and asked | them to wait a little. Bettina was so nervous she could not sit down, but stood watching the door, waiting the summons to the sick-bed. The servant l appeared presently and asked them to wait little longer. Bettinas father told her that he was due at the office and now that she was announced he would leave her. So she was left alone. Then after what seemed hours she heard step and turned toward the door. What did this mean? It was l John, as hearty and we'll as ever, hold ing out both hands to ,Bettina. Bettina 1 sank into the nearest chair.
 The servant who came to the door to call them to breakfast, tip-toed away
 without being seen, Bettina was in
 Johns arms and was trying to talk be- l tween her sobs.
 'iWhy. dear. 1t was John Whitehall, Jr., you know they always call him
 Jack. Cousin Jack, you know. I
 wasn't in it. And he is going to get
 we'll all right. Don't cry, grille. Pm
 awfully glad it brought you back to
 me. I didn't see how was going to
 get through Thanksgiving without
 you" He thought moment, and then
 he suddenly said:
 ''I wonder why your father didn't
 tell you!" Then he remembered
 his talk with Bettina's father and a
 light broke in on his mind He laughed
 and Bettina was forced to laugh with
 him.
 Betty he said; we'll have dinner at the Slavery on your father and also