Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1908-12-18

ment that Beth felt obliged to make
further explanation.
"The five-eighty-nine morris chair
looked common she said loftily. II
shan't get one till | can afford leather
cushions. And. anyway. I've been
thinking about what you said yester-
day about the fiat looking better
\ than we do. There's some truth in II"
Nell could hardly believe her ears
Beth, who took life so seriously and
h spelled Career with a capital letter,
\ yielding to the temptations of personal
| vanity. There must be some com
\ polling reason for It
/, Beth's next remark supplied 1t.
Il think I'll put my waist on tonight,
Nell, If you'll help me. Gilbert Tay-
lor's coming to call"
Not the man you refused on ac-
count of your career?" gasped Nell.
did l ever mention refusing any
n else?" Beth retorted, a bit impa-
tiently.
ITS as coy as 1t can be-" Gilbert
exclaimed, looking around the artistic
living room. And It's $3.50 home
like" He hesitated for the proper
word to express his feelings but !
can see where a leather cushioned
morris chair would be the crowning
touch,' he added laughingiy. "Only
what will you do with 1t, Beth, with
out a man In the family?-
Beth flashed a look of defiance at
him. 1t reminded Gilbert of the old
days when she had held out so per-
sistently that she had as much right
as he to an independent life of her
own and mean to claim 1t.
II suppose you have a notion" she
answered him, with n fine show of su-
periority, that morris chairs, like all
other creature comforts, were invented
for masculine monopoly"
THE average man is a selfish beast"
he admitted good naturally, "but I'm
not. You shall sit In the morris chair
every night, Beth. l won't say a word
If you'll'-
AT this critical moment Nell darted
In, securing a refractory hatpin in
transit.
Beth introduced Gilbert.
II vas just complimenting Elizabeth
on your attractive little place here,
Miss Stafford" he said easily. "She
thinks 1t needs a morris chair to make
it complete. and l had the stupidity to
ask what she'd do with one without a
man to occupy it. You've come just
in time to settle the question"
"I'm afraid I'm what you might call
prejudiced, Mr.. Taylor" Nell answered
lightly. II really believe in both, If
you can get them. When it comes to
choice-well, Beth knows my senti
ments. Dicks downstairs" she added,
turning to Beth, "and l mustn't keep
him waiting. Good night"
She gave Gilbert an encouraging
smile as she closed the han door, but
Beth was unaware of 1t.
II take 1t Miss Stafford has matri-
monial Intentions" Gilbert remarked
when they were alone again. '"That's
going to upset your little MENACE, isn't
1t, Elizabeth? What are you going to
DOR
1t was a brutal mistake. He knew IL
as soon as the question had escaped
him.
But there was no audacious reply
from Beth as he expected. Instead,
her eyes filed. and she buried her face
In the cushions, sobbing as If her
heart would break.
Gilbert had never before seen Beth
unequal to a situation. Her helpless
ness touched him deeply.
Beth" be said gently, II have an
idea. Suppose l buy out Nell's do
nestle INTEREST,""
No answer, only fewer sobs.
'You shall sit on a cushion and"-
mo; l won't sew a fine seam. l
hate sewing" came a muf1led reply
from the pillow depths.
At that Gilbert gathered her to him.
laughing joyously.
"She shall just eat strawberries,
sugar and cream, them" he amended,
with indulgent tenderness. "All that
1 insist upon is
He paused, and Beth, flushed and
~disheveled. flashed him a challenging
look.
''That she shall love me-" he finished
softly.
And Beth accepted the one condition.
New York's Working Girls.