The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-03-03


out the much talked of picture.
Several people were standing before
it In silent admiration. The painting
represented a room, seated in the fore
ground Of which was the figure of a
girl In a 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 a 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.
'Oh," she cried, "how perfectly beau
tiful it Is! Oh. Jack, isn't she-isn't
she just p~erfectT
The young man smiled down upon
the enthusiastic girl at his side.
'She il beautiful. but not perfect"
why not!
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
zee the pink rose is small and pale,
while the other rose Is a full blown
beauty Of a rich relvety red.
Jack shook his head.
a moment. She should take the man
she loves"
"And be poor and miserable all her
lifeT' inquired Betty m~ischievously.
"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 a walked
leisurely up to Miss Betty's side, and,
bowling slightly to Jack, be turned to-
ward the picture.
"Well," remarked he after q mo
ment's silence, "she is in q fix. isn't
she? Pink or red; it's down to q
choice Of q favorite color, 1t seems to
me-"
mot at ALL" replied Jack testify.
(Which does she love best?"
"Well"-Frank elevated his brows
az though surprised-"isn't that about
what I said? She has a chance to &C.
lect her ~favorite now, and why doesn't
she do It without SO much troubde2'
Betty, who had been silently admir-
ing the picture during the conversa-
ton, now turned again toward her COM
panions.
"She ia a girl you know?"
EYES," replied both Of the young men
at the same time.
"a girl" continued Betty, "has to
wonder sometimes whether she knows
her own mind or not. Here are two
men. Both are kind and attentive to
the girl. Both offer her the best that
he has to give. Both pay her the high
est compliment hat a man can pay to
q woman, for each n in turn asks
her to be his wife. Here, on the one
hand, are riches. a life with every wish
| granted, q mother and father made
comfortable, and a husband who loves
you. II she does not love him. she
respects and admlres him. On the
other hand are a life Of everlasting
economy, a home where there may al
ways be the necessities Of life, but
very few of the luxuries; q father and
mother who must continue In their
same circumstances, a little trip now
and then when there chances to be an
excursion, and a husband who loves
you, who denies himself for you and
whom you In your turn love. Which
Dhall 1t be?"
Without q moments hesitation both
Of the young men answered. 1.-The man
you love"
Betty was twisting the chain Of her
satchel around her finger. She laugh
ed and shook her head when she heard
the answer.
"Well. l see that you are both as
yet 1T the romantic age"
Are your"
Frank Carlyle looked down into the
lair, sweet face close beside him. Bet
ty looked at Jack Winslow. He was
frowning. Then, turning her face once
more toward Frank and looking mis-
c~hievously sideways at Jack. she said
Who knows?"
Frank laughed and looked at bis
watch.
.Half past 4" said he. well. !
must be OF. II you were going" look
ing nrst at Betty. then at Jack. why,
it's 30 beastly unpleasant thought
perhaps l might give you a lift in the
carriage" Jack declined with thanks