The Somerset reporter., 1908-01-16
Betty's
Decision.
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyright. 1907. by C. H. sutclifre

MouTniull the SOIDDer melody OF
the dead march from saul" came
through the double sashed windows of
the Eagle House. The music gained
In mourrrulness what 1t lacked In I'm
pressiveness. for Dan Hicks struggles
with the unfamiliar clarinet added a
wailing note not intended by the COM
poser. Not one OF the members OF the
Granville Cornet band was a skilled
musician.
Vance Bevan moved over to the win
dow to watch the passing of the cor
tege. First came the band, shlvering
In their gaudy uniforms. which they
would not hide beneath their over
coats. Then followed the Niagara
Hose company and the Granville
Hook and Ladder. The long. light
truck of the latter was stripped of its
ladders. and in their place was plat
form. on which rested flag draped
casket. Behind this were two closed
carriages and then long string Of We
hices of all descriptions
Hank Flagler Joined his guests at the
window.
There goes a good man." he said In
the hollow tones that seemed most ap
pr0priate to the occasion. II tell you,
there wasn't better man In all Sco-
Vile county. He was always doing
something. First 1t was the engine
company. He got. 1t the steamer. Just
kept at 1t until it had to come. He
said Granville was getting too big
for the old hand engine. He was
right. What chance would there have
been of saving the Vail block If there
hadn't been a steamer?
"One of the leading citizens?" asked
Bevan as he proffered cigar Flag
Ter nodded.
"One of the best" he declared. I'VE
were all sorry when he went to the
Philippines. | guess he stirred them
Islands up. Only out there four years.
and he came home with cool hundred
thousand. Yes. sir
But why go to the PhilippinesT
questioned Bevan. at would seem
that SO clever man should have no
difficulty In getting ahead nearer
home"
But Fred was in a hurry" explain.
ed the hotel man. you see, he had
always been in love with Bessie Brew.
ster. Bessie loved him. too, but she
was an ambitious little thing. She
wanted Fred to get ahead faster. and
that meant the Philippines. He left 1t
all to her too. bet she must be all
broken up. That's her In the second
carriage. | guess. | see Betty Harvey
In with her.
"Of course the family Is In the first
hack. rode in that hack the night
got married. Lem Spriggs he says
there's been enough varnish on that
old hack to pay for a new one, and
guess he's right. Old man Hardness
had 1t when he set up in business as a
livery back In 1875. Every t'other year
they slap on some more yarnish. and
1t looks as good as new again"
Flagier ratified on with bits OF infor.
plation as the various carriages passed.
the ground. and few seighs were In
the long procession. Revan heard a
little Of the running comment. The
mention of Betty Harvey had reused
chain Of thought. He had run up
from the city to argue with her and
had found the whole town upset by
the arrival Of Fred Greyson's body
Betty was busy comforting her friend,
Bessie Brewster. and would not even
see him.
There was small hope that he would
be able to get speech with her. but he
decided to wait until after the funeral.
He wanted to make one last appeal.
The two had met at the shore during
the summer Betty had given her love
to the clean young engineer. but when
he had asked that they might be mar
ried soon she had shaken her head.
Stumblingly she had explained her
reasons for refusal. She was an heir.
ess, and In the little town in which
she lived she feared that the people
might despise her suitor as fortune
hunter.
Ever since she had come into the
money at the death of her father her
friends had warned her against the
wiles OF the fortune hunters. She did
not for an instant believe that Bevan
cared for her money. but she was too
proud of him 20 be willing that h.
should so he c assified by others.
Much the same feeling had lei Brs
sic Brewster to refuse to MARI Fred
Greyson until his fortune shoull n
her own. Greyson had gone I, ne
Philippines. where he believed TINT
fortune might he acquired quckli He
had made his pile" but on his VA
home the fever had taken him From
Manila the journey had been made In
4 metallic casket.
The last of the carriages had passed
The dead march still sounded clear.
~ on the crisp. frosty air. and Bevan
fell In with the crowd that escorted
The procession on foot The road
wound up the side of the hill to Gol's
acre. where the yellowed headstones
cleaned darkly against the freshly
fallen snow.
The fire companies made hollow
square, within which the Masons form
ed for the funeral service. Betty liar.
tey stood with the chief mo,rners.
supporting her friend. but before the
short service was concluded she had
to lead the bereaved girl back to the
carriage Rapidly the hack drove
back to the village Vance Beyan had
been there to help Betty lift the girl