Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-02
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
THE Butterfly Girl. - By Temple Bailey.
Copyrighted 1sos by the Associated Literary Press)

vited me. with friend of hers from
out of town."
And poor Albert had sandwich
Aunt Betsey reminded her.
"Oh! OH" Suddenly the real situa
ton seemed to dawn on the little wife
He was really hungry, Aunt Betsey
poor dear fellow"
And he had worked from $50 in the
morning" Aunt Betsey went on. land
when he came home at night. tired and
worn and nervous. he was not in 4
condition to appreciate lace trimmed
ruffies. Bettina. half as much as an
appetiZing dinner"
Bettina sighed.
"Well. it does away with the ro-
nance
"Dear heart" Aunt Betsey told her.
the joy of mere admiration. Try max
ing Albert comfortable and you will
get more solid happiness out of it than
by keeping him on the rack with your
coquetry."
But Bettina shrugged her shoulders.
THE way to hold man." she de
clared. lis to play with him.
1.-The way to hold a man." said Aunt
Betsey, with nod of her gray head
sis to love him. and that means TO
make yourself his equal in endeavor
Then you have his respect. You must
be the homemaker. just as Albert Is
the money maker"
But you have never married" said
little Bettina. How can you know
Aunt Betsey:'
The people who look on from the
outside are the wise ones" said Aunt
Eetsey. land l have seen so many
matrimonial shipwrecks."
That night Albert's footsteps Jagged
a little on the stairway as he climbed
TO his little lilt. l.r knew just what
he would find at the top-Bettina,
charming in the rosy gown: the pink
candle shades. the pink roses and Gro.
quettes made of the last of the beef
Bettina always ran to big roasts. and
| there yet remained to be eaten q fifth
days soup made of the bone.
The sound of his key in the latch
| summoned no rosy vision, however
He passed through the dining room
| The pink candles were not lighted In
| front of his place was copper cha fing
dish. one of Bettipa's hitherto unused
wedding presents. and the blue fame
burning beneath set the contents bub
bling. and the air was laden with de
| liciousness.
| "Bettina." he called. and at the sound
she came to the kitchen door, She
wore, long apron of china blue; heI
hair was ruffled about her face; he,
cheeks were flaming.
/ 81 haven't time to kiss you," Shit
cried gayly. Il must watch the
chops"
Albert went into his room somewhat
disconnected. 1t was the first time
that Bettina had failed to kiss him. II
was the first time that his rooms ha6
not been in rosy glow-and he miss
ed 1t.
But his discomfort vanished with
the serving of the dinner.
i There were oysters in the chain.
dish, PANIED to perfection. There were
broiled chops, crisp salad and pud
ding made by Bettina's own fair hands
And Albert ate and praised and won
dered.
1 81 didn't know you could do 1t, Bet
tina" he said. You always seemed
such butterfly girl"
Bettina laughed.
i "Aunt Betsey showed me how" sh,
said. "and-and really Ike doing It."
i But her eyes were a little wistful
and presently she said, Don't you mis-
anything?"
4 YES" Albert said promptly. II do
| l miss the rosy gown and the rosy can
dles-and you haven't kissed me YET
Bettina."
| He went around and stood at tn
back Of her chair.
Il II was bear last night, little girl.
he apologized. "but a.-man's ouee