The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-21
WHICH !?
By s. Z. T'insisy
copunchs. 1908, bp S. |. Tiaslsp
BY s. Z. Tinsisy

Ave ht NV kVAuS Vut Au Ah tht
rain, are you. BettyY
why noty Betty turned aroun,
slowly and looked at her mother.
: "Why nots Why, because II is pour
ing-simply pouring''
"well, what Of It? I'm not afraid O
rain" And the young lady clasped he
gloves with snap. unfastened her um
brella and tripped out beneath the drip
4 ping skies.
j Hardly two squares had been covered
when Betty saw young man coming
toward her. Jack winslow bowed
smiled and stopped. Betty blushed.
why, really, Jack, what tempted you
out TO wadey'
What tempted Miss Betty away from
her chocolates and novelsY'
"Mr. Elfland's new picture"
"Jove, that's just my excused Say we
go together" Jack looked anxiously.
wistfully, at his companion, Miss Bet,
| ty blushed more deeply.
"Come along" said she. And togeth.
er they walked down the street. Ar.
riving at the art gallery, they hunted
out the much talked Of picture.
| Several people We're standing before
1t In silent admiration. The painting
represented room, seated in the fore
ground of which was the figure Of a
girl in white gown. Her black hair
was parted and arranged in soft, thick
rolls on both sides Of her fair, pale
face. In her hand she held two roses,
a red rose and pink one. The trou-
bled expression Of her face told Of per.
plexity. A question was to be solved,
but the answer could not be found.
Betty clasped her hands with delight.
''0h," she cried, "how perfectly beau.
tiful 1t is! Oh, Jack, isn't she-isn't
she just perfectT
The young man smiled down upon
the enthusiastic girl at his side
''She is beautiful, but not perfect"
why noti'
Betty opened her eyes wide with |
amazement
Because" continued the young man.
'she ought not to have any trouble in
knowing whom she wants for her hus-
band"
Why not? One man might be rich
and the other man poor. Don't you
see the pink rose is small and pale,
while the other rose is a full blown
beauty Of a rich velvety red.
Jack shook his head.
Anyhow she should not hesitate for
moment. She should take the man
she loves" ~A
And be poor and miserable all her
lifeT' inquired Betty mischievously
Not miserable, but poor and happy,
perfectly happy"
Jack Winslow was watching his COM
panion's face. Betty laughed.
Well" replied she, perhaps you are
right after all. Here comes Frank
Carlyle"
A tall, slender young man walked
eisurely up to Miss Betty's side, and,
bowling slightly to Jack, he turned to-
ward the picture
WELL" remarked he after a mo- ,
nent's silence, "she Ia in a fx, isn't !
she? Pink or red; it's down to a ,
.hoice Of a favorite color, it seems to !
ne" .
Not at ALL" replied Jack testify. !
Which does she love bestT .
"Well"-Frank elevated his brows
Is though surprised that about Z
What said? She has a chance to se- !
ect her favorite now, and why doesn't !
The do 1t without so much troubleT r
Betty, who had been silently admir- !
ng the picture during the converse
ion, now turned again toward her COM
,anions. ]
"She is girl you known
YES" replied both of the young men
t the same time
"a girl" continued Betty, has to
Tonder sometimes whether she knows
er own mind or not. Here are two
len. Both are kind and attentive to
be girl. Both offer her the best that
e has to give. Both pay her the high
st compliment that man can pay to :
woman, for each one I'm turn asks =
er to be his wife. Here, on the one :
and, are riches, life with every wish :
ranted, mother and father made :
and husband who loves =
on. If she does not love him, she =
,spects and admires him. On the !
her hand are a life Of everlasting =
home where there may al q
ays be the necessities of life, but y
cry few Of the Injuries; a father and
other who must continue in their y
me circumstances, a little trip now ~
I'd then when there chances to be an
,cursion, and husband who loves ~
~, who denies himself for you and =
hom you in your turn love. Which !"
all 1t bei" ~
moments hesitation both y
the young men answered, '9The man ~ ~
IL love-" III
Betty was twisting the chain Of her =
tchel around her finger. She laugh ~
and shook her head when she heard az
e answer.
We'll, l see that you are both as
t at the romantic age" =,
Are your W
Frank Carlyle looked down into the -, -,
In, sweet face close beside him Ret. "