The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-10-11

/ Susie, James and my own maid rushed
home an hour ago when the grocer'f
boy told them about that big flre In
the block where they all live, I'll
hurry. You won't have to walt 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, 7How many guests?'
zone Mr. Wilson from up country.
Mr.. Carter stood for a 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? be 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
a girl want for my"
Let me give you some more fowl?"
begged John Carter Hospitality.
1t was evident to the guest that
Mr., 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 a shrewd manager com
mented Carter, proudly. Il hear other
men complain of expenses, but Betty
is a good buyer and wastes nothing,
so l find that although I have every
thing on the market, my expenses,
household expenses, are no more than
they were ten years ago. Betty's
mother married me when ] was poor,
struggling lawyer, and we had to save
il order to live, so | suppose 1t is in
stinct in the child to economize."
I'm proud to know such a girl in
these days of wilful waste and eXtrav-
agant living. You'll make some man
a mighty fine wife, Miss Betty"
A little later as the men sat smok-
ing in the library, Bettys voice, plain
lively sweet in a 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
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, l 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
advancement. couldn't
wait for you to send for me. ] love
YOU. Betty. You're all l 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
-ains at the door, There stood his |
nephew his young face drawn with /
pleading with the woman
If his heart. Betty, all the color gone
rom her pretty face, was biting hei
ips to keep back the hot tears.
God bless you both, nephew. ]
couldn't find you a better wife in all
he world than Betty. Take her and
II draw up a new will in the morn
ng, leaving the love / have followed
Ill my life-gold-to my dear niece
md nephew. May l kiss her, The
)ren?"
YES" said his astonished kinsman
Then as the older men withdrew, he
.aught the girl to his heart Betty,
'ou're the right girl for me, am the
light man for you?"
Yes; there's never been anybody
,ut you, Theoren. Oh, what I've suf
cred trying to give you up because ]
10 love you"
Never mind, it's all over now,
weetheart Some poet has said that
tear lies in the petals of every rose,
Please God, we've had our tear-now
or the heart of the rose of love and
lfe!"
Copyright, 1912, by Associated Literary
PresBO