The Green Forest tribune., 1912-10-04

Susie. James and my own maid rushed home an hour ago when the grocer's boy told them about that big fire in the block where they all live. I'll hurry. You won't have to wait long.
 Put more water in the soup" John Carter told her; smiling at this strange trick of Fate, for I've brought com pany to dinner"
 All right" Betty was not per turbed. How many guests?"
 "One MT. Wilson from up country" Mir Carter stood for minute admir- ing the slight figure in an evening dress pinned up carefully and partly covered with one of Susie's big blue aprons.
 Betty served her dinner without any apparent effort and found time to chat gaily with her fathers rather silent guest.
 Did you really cook this nice din- ner?" Miss Betty?" he asked yielding presently to her gracious charm.
 Yes. We keep four servants, but this afternoon they all stampeded be- cause of fire in the block where they live. Fortunately my mother trained me to be ready for just such emer- gencies."
 Now, Miss Betty is just the sort Of girl want for my"
 Let me give you some more fowl?'' begged John Carter hospitably.
 It was evident to the guest that MT Carter did not care to discuss pro fessional matters at home with his daughter, so he immediately took up the worn topic of the high cost of liv- | ing.
 Betty is g shrewd manager" com mented Carter. proudly. T hear other men complain of expenses, but Betty is a good buyer and wastes nothing, so I find that although I have every thing on the market, my expenses, Ahousehold expenses, are no more than they were ten years ago. Bettys mother married me when ] was poor, struggling lawyer and we had to save ] in order to live, so I suppose it is in stinct in the child to economize."
 I'm proud to know such girl in these days of wilful waste and extrav- agant living. You'll make some man g mighty fine wife, Miss Betty" little later as the men sat smok- ing in the library Betty's voice, plain lively sweet in tender love song, made John Carter's heart begin to ache He remembered her assumed gaiety at the table and her brave at ] tempt to take his advice without any apparent effort
 The tinkling of the door bell star tied him from his reverie, then the rustic of Betty's skirts and then Theo- ren Cranes deep voice in the hall. Betty, I don't care a hang about Uncle Henry's money. Something tells me that you love me and that you are sacrificing yourself for my supposed advancement. couldn't wait for you to send for me. l love you, Betty. You're all I want in the world"
 Wilson turned questioningly to his host
 Isn't that Theoren? Is that why YOU asked me to take an assumed name for the evening""
 A few words between the men ex' plained matters, Henry Crane chuck ling with laughter. parted the cur | tains at the door. There stood his nephew, his. young face drawn with suffering, pleading with the woman of his heart Betty. all the color gone rom her pretty face, was biting her lips to keep back the hot tears.
 God bless you both, nephew. couldn't find you a better wife in all the world than Betty Take her and I'll draw up a new will in the morn ing, leaving the love I have followed all my life-gold-to my dear niece and nephew. May kiss her. The oren?"
 Yes" said his astonished kinsman. Then as the older men withdrew, he caught the girl to his heart. Betty, you're the right girl for me, am I the right man for you?"
 Yes; there's never been anybody but you, Theoren. Oh, what I've sui fered trying to give you up because l do love you!"
 Never mind, it's all over now, sweetheart. Some poet has said that a tear lies in the petals of every rose. Please God. we've had our tear-now for the heart of the rose of love and life!"
 Copyright 1912 by Associated Literary Press)