The Glenwood post., 1907-01-19

cressmaker and when evening finally
came she arrayed herself for the sac
rlhce. 1t was no fun at all to fun out
her golden hair when there was no one
there but Dolly to remark upon the eff
feet and then Dolly was painfully mat
ter Of fact. She would wear the violet
SILK with the yellow lace cascades, even
II there was nobody there to tell her 1t
was the prettiest dress that ever a
pretty woman wore. 1t was a sort Of
Solemn satisfaction to be making her
self lovely without the encouragement
or an admfrer sitting over in that big
chair, his knee over the arm and cigar
In his mouth, but at the mental picture
She smothered an irrelevant sob. Dolly
looked at her acutely.
"l-believe l am about to take cold"
faltered the little mistress mendacious-
ly. "My-my throat feels so queer"
When she entered the box and threw
her great white cloak in a luxurious
heap In the chair behind her, Mrs. Rip
ley glanced over her with look of de-
cided approval.
You We're never prettier, Betty"
Shc NAispeIeu, auu luen IL 10 oo eeA-
sible of you not to be foolish about hav-
ing Tom Ellis dangling after you every
where you 60"
That is what we agreed only this
morning" said Betty In burst Of CON
fidence, and then she grew suddenly
silent.
Her eyes, sweeping the crowded
house, had fallen upon Tom Ellis in
group of men down near the footlights.
As the moments went on she began to
feel aggrieved that he did not even
glance toward the Ripley box, although
he surely had known Of the invitation.
She was glad when the music began,
because her throat still had that queer
feeling, and her lips wanted to tremble.
Nordica's superb presence and her sing
Ing failed for the first time to absorb
Betty's attention. She would not look
again at that group down near the
stage, but she could not keep from see
ing them in her minds eye. She was
glad there We're others in the box who
felt like talking. She did not want
Mrs. Ripley to regard her too closely
after the drop of the curtain. The hum
of conversation began in Il moment,
and she half turned toward those near
her. seeming to listen, although she
heard not word. Still she would not
look below her.
"Boo!" came a frivolous exclamation
at her shoulder, and she started vio-
lently The rich blood surged into her
face She did not need to see whose
hand was resting on her arm.
"Why, Betty Ellis" cried one gay
voice, you don't mean to tell me you
are actually blushing over Tom. you
ancient married woman, you! The
bushes are for the buds"
Then they are for Betty" said Tom
CALAMITY. What rosebud ever looked
sweeter than she does this minute"
Toni! she demonstrated, and he
laughed and sat down beside her.
When the others were absorbed in
themselves again he whispered to her;
"Forgive me, Betty, if l bored you by
coming. l just couldn't help it. had
forgotten all about the Ripley invita-
ton until saw you in the box. came
along just to be doing something"
Don't" she begged, and the eyes
that were lifted to his were full OF
tears. He covered her hand moment
with his and waited; then, when she
had slyly wiped the moisture from her
lids and had swallowed that trouble
some lump, she whispered: Il was just
mistaken after all. l don't believe in
preventive measures like this. We are
not tired yet. Let's just wait until
We are"
"Done, Bettyv he agreed rapturous-
". "You are so sensible"'
"Sensiblew Interrupted Mrs. Ripley,
turning quickly at the word, which had
drifted to her ears. Isn't she so,
Tom? l was just telling her a little
while ago that she was most remark
ably So"
The two accepted the unmerited
praise unblushingly and looked at each
other with a happy laugh.