Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-02-09
Bettina's Romance
BY
CECILIA LoizEAUx


A s Thu days Of October moved to
"a ward close, and the weather
crisped into delightful keenness, Bet
tina remembered that Thanksgiving
was coming. She was sorry, because
she hadn't anything to be thankful fol
that is, nothing worth mentioning
OF course she had home and parents
and plenty of money and pretty clothes
and things like that, but what was the
use Of being thankful for these when
one had lost ones fiance? 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 a 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 Of a merry disposition
withal. She was little chagrined
when her usually hearty appetite was
as hearty as ever the morning after
she had given John his congo 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 cold,
unexhilarating twilight set in
Now twilight is mournful 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 II, 1t Is doubly mournful.
And as Betty trudged on. weary and
persistently 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 1t
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 a. look which passed
between her father and mother, and
interpreting 1t as sympathetic pity,
pitied herself still more profoundly
than before and left the room sobbing.
Now the look which Bettina had seen
was not just what 1t seemed to her to
be- And when she had gone her father
began to chuckle little.
at does seem too bad to laugh at the
kid," said he, but she may as well
learn her lesson now as any time. She
treated John like a three-year-old
child treats Its nurse in a At Of tenn
per. II 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 be 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 ar
rived At the same thing each time. She
wanted John and was too proud to own
herself in the wrong and write and tell
aim SO. She decided that abe would
90 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
liable, expecting that II would meet
with 4 firm refusal from her parents.
AT least" she thought. ''they will tell
ne how lonely they WIN Be and try
70 get ne to stay" What vas her sur
prise to havs her father after siancine
It her mother give a. immediate and
hearty consent. even going 20 fsr a.
% suggest that 1he make : We1k u II
you may as well say and visit .
little, daughter" aid her father.
Mamma and I shall st along voTy
we'll We yin take our Thankerivinr
Sinner q he saVery and 20 70 hesr
Ma Fishe n TIE eg1nlls.- AID nli-
fnn coelf % nolhinG che thnn c1r1Inl
.hroush htr heart Nna hoi. Tag lneH
hou - l1rr1 q - y iho f1E1ET ~