The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-09-27
THE REM0DEllNG Of
MISS SETTLE BROWN
BY HARVEY PEAkE.


Bette Brown was sitting in the
porch swing doing nothing when the
postman brought the letter. These
were Bettie's two greatest occupa.
tons: sitting and doing nothing She
usually combined the two.
Her pretty face resolved itself into
a veritable interrogation mark. when
she saw that the handwriting was
Bob Taylor's.
why, I haven't heard from him for
five years. she exclaimed mot
since he went to the Philippines after
our quarrel; What can he have to
say?" Tearing open the envelope
she read:
MANILA. May 9th.
II am writing to say that I am going
back TO the United States on purpose
to see you. shall arrive in Brewster
about the first Of July. I hope that you
will be glad to see me, for I can scarce
ly wait until I can see you.
'"rhe silly misunderstanding we bad
has been wiped entirely out Of my mind
anu kTedtest ueSlTe Is 10 TetUTn bUu
plead in person for your forgiveness.
and also to ask you something more.
II can see in my minds eye your slim.
willowy form in its sailor dress OF blue.
And trust, dear Bette, that you still
have this identical dress, and will wear
II to welcome me back. think II was
the prettiest dress I ever saw. II you
will don It for this occasion II will
make our meeting so much easier. for
NJ Il
given II you have II on.
"Should there be any change In my
plans I shall communicate with you AZ
once. Do not make an effort to answer
this letter for I shall be en- route.
"Yours sincerely,
Robert Taylor"
After Bette had read the letter
twice she fell into a reminiscent
mood.
Dear old Bob" she soliloquized
chow good 1t is to hear from YOU
And so you have something to say
to me! I was ready to forgive and
forget the next day. II you had only
asked, for loved you and still do
What girl could help It?
"Of course | shall wear the blue
dress. I'll-no, I can't either
haven't had it on since he left!
began to take on flesh that same
year. weighed a hundred and ter
when he saw me last and now
we'll, I know those last scales mus
have been wrong. for they made 1t g
hundred and forty-eight!
|, Goodness gracious, what shall
do? 1 can't begin to get it on and
my slim. willowy figure! That's what
get for sitting around SO much ane
taking no exercise. And I remembe,
that he hated fat girls! will wea,
that dress!"
Immediately she constituted herself
q committee Of ways and means.
"Just FIVE weeks in which to TAX,
OF thirty-eight pounds!" she said.
The next morning at breakfast Bet
ties father was full of trouble.
II thought when I built this house
that I was putting up one of thu
most substantial residences in the
town." he complained; but last
night, whenever a car passed, I dis
tinctly felt 1t tremble. sometimes 70,
as long as two minutes. And once II
was shaken to its very foundations
I'm going to get the builder to COME
over. as soon as he can. to make n
examination"
Even Bobby was disturbed. HI
came running down stairs one morn
ing few days later, exclaiming:
MON. this house Is hounted.
know 1t is. cause last night l heart
the awfullest groans and means after
! went to bed, an the house jesl
shook like it wus tremblin' with ter
ror! was afraid to git up an I've
been awake all night"
One evening at tea. Mrs. Brown lait
down her knife and fork and looking
at her daughter. remarked:
"Now Bette, ! want to know wha
the matter is with you. You refuse
preserves and cake, you won't take
sugar in your tea, and you don't ca
enough to keep a bird alive. You're
actually getting thin and peaked
Why girl. you don't look like your
oChs yOu VIC away bO huSi
that your clothes are ever so much toe
big for you. Now what Is it,"
"Oh nothing" answered Bette.
, "Yes there is. There's something
wrong with you" replied her mother
"You needn't try to conceal 1t any
longer. Either you are sick or IL
love-"
: swell, II you are determined t.
pry into your daughters private at
fairs, mother dear. I'll have to confess
that I am reducing my flesh by the
rolling process You select q Ions
floor space, you see. and roll bacl
and forth twenty-five times without
stopping. Then you kick up youi
heels"
BEETLE Brown. are you crazy?"
mo. but I believe beirx in love IL
pretty nearly as bad a. bAing crazy
swell. now begin to see daylight
declared Mrs. Brown. $50 y-G are ir
love. are you? ! thought as ,such.'
TITS Bob Taylor!" And then the
whole story came out.