Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-28
Bcttina's Romance
 By cECELTA LoyZEAUx
tCOpyriehs. lso1. by Daily Story Pub. Col

crfsped into delightful keenness, Bet tina remembered that Thanksgiving was coming. She was sorry, because she hadn't anything to be- thankful for that is. nothing worth mentioning Of course she had home and parents and plenty offmoney and pretty clothes and things like that, but what was the use of being thankful for these when one had lost ones nance? Obviously, no use at all. These were Bettina's thoughts as she was walking swiftly along the river road one day in early November. The keen wind had stung her cheeks to . glowing pink and her body to a tingling warmth. She had to try very, very hard to feel melan- choly, in spite of the fact that she had just broken her engagement and wished she hadn't For she was young, healthy and 4 of a merry disposition withal. She was a little chagrined when her usually hearty appetite was as hearty as ever the morning after she had given John his conge and spent the night weeping-when she could keep awake. For he had gone forever" as he said himself, very gently and calmly, but firmly. Bettina prolonged her walk this afternoon till she was very, very tired and R-coldy unexhilarating twilight set in. ?
 Now twilight is mournfu1 time to those who are not in love. Bettina had always thought SO And for those who were in love and had no one to tell about it, it is doubly mournful. And as Betty trudged on, weary and consistently melancholy the glimpses through un-drawn curtains of glowing open fires and seductive cosy-corners only reminded her anew of the long twilight hours with John, alone-the two of them-in the big, dim library. Here the tears began to fall and it was a very miserable little Bettina who crept into the house at dark and up to her room so softly that no one heard her.
 At dinner she was silent, woe-begone and ate as little food as she possibly could. She caught look which passed between her father and mother, and Interpreting it as sympathetic pity, pitied herself still more profoundly than before and left the room sobbing.
 
 was not just what it seemed to her to be. And when she had gone her father began to chuckle little.
 f'It does seem too bad to laugh at the kid,' said he, "but she may as we'll learn her lesson now as any time. She treated John like three-year-old child treats it's nurse in 1t of tenn per- If I had been in his place I'd have shaken her and brought her to time on her own ground. talked to him about it and he is all cut up and wants to come and make up, but told him to let Betty take the first step this time. It will be good for her.
 Upstairs in her warm, dark room, Bettina thought and thought, but arr rived at the same thing each time. She wanted John and was too proud to own herself in the wrong and write and tell him so. She decided that she would go to the country to spend Thanksgiv- ing. She would go down to Porter to Cousin Mary's. She could wander around the fields and woods alone and perhaps forget.
 She sprung her plan at the breakfast table, expecting that 1t would meet with a firm refusal from her parents. At least" she thought, they will tell me how lonely they will be and try 1 to get me to stay" What was her sur I prise to have her father after glancing at her mother give an immediate and hearty consent, even going so far as to suggest that she make a week of 1t. l "You may as well stay and visit a little, daughter" said her father. 1 Mamma and I shall get along very we'll. We will take our Thanksgiving dinner at the Savery ard go to hear Mrs. Fiske in the evening"" And Bet tina could do nothing else than consent through her heart wasihot They knew
 how she loved to go to the S6very for tue holiday dinners, and she had never heard Mrs. Fiske. And they were posi- lively glad to be rid of her. This was too deep for tears and she set about burning her letters and getting ready for long stay, for she had decided at once that she would stay as long as Cousin Mary would keep her.
 She left home three days before Thanksgiving. It was four-hour trip to Porter and she was kept busy rec Dgnizing things along the way. Bs