The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-02-09
/ MISS BETTY'S (
/ B K AVE r Y }
By VIRGINIA BLAIR


Il ain SOiuS 10 luu6S. hios
Beulah has gone to town, and there's
nobody but Miss Betty on guard. SUI
xanne has the chocolate, and am go
ing to contribute the milk. You
needn't bring anything but your sweet
SELF
Midget came trailing out into the
dimness of the hall, her pink kimono
gathered about her shivering figure.
I'm glad" she said wistfully,
that We are going to do something
exciting. This school is the limit
Margaret. I'm so blue / could weep
on your shoulder II you weren't so un.
sympathetic"
I'm unsympathetic because you
haven't any real woes" was Marga-
rsts calm response. You needn't
pose ss an ill-used heroine simply be-
cause you can't spend the week end
with Mary Tempest"
1T isn't just that" Midget hest.
tated. IF you only knew, Marga-
ret:
Il do know. Arthur Tempest is to
be there. and your heart will break
II you don't see him."
Perhaps his heart will break"
said little Midget, with a dignity
which made Margaret stare at her.
We've are engaged, Margaret"
Margaret took her friend by the
shoulders and shook her. "And you
haven't told u.s." she cried; "yo9
haven't told Suzanne and mech,
Midget"
"Well, you see," Midget explained,
hastily, "it didn't happen until today"
"But you haven't seen him and you
didn't get any letters, for i brought
up the mail"
Il know. But-Arthur proposed by
telephone" y
'"Of all things!' Margaret clutched
Midget's arm. How perfectly TO-
mantle, Midget Middleton"
1T wasn't romantic at ALL" Mid
get declared, miserably. II wanted
it to happen in a garden among the
roses, or out in boat in the moon
light"
"Well, 1 wouldn't care where 1t
was, SO that the man was Arthur
Tempest" said practical Margaret.
you're lucky girl. Come on up and
tell us about it"
Curled up, comfortably on the foot
of Suzanne's couch, Midget told her
story. 81 used to know Arthur when
was a tiny little thing. Our fam
lilies lived next door to each other,
and that's how l came to be so init
mate with Mary Tempest. Arthur
was educated abroad, and l haven't
seen him for years. He came back
a month ago and Mary invited me
down to help celebrate his homecom-
ing. And-he fell in love with, me,
and he's going back to London this
week, and Miss Beulah has chosen
this time of all others to go away, and
Miss Betty doesn't dare give any of
us permission to leave the school
while Miss Beulah is gone-and So
II shan't see him."
couldn't you write to your mother
and get permission?" Suzanne asked.
There isn't time. I've told Mum
sic all about it, and l know she will
say bless you, my children but that
won't help me out--Arthur leaves to-
morrow morning"
why don't you meet him some
where and have it over?"
Midget shook her head. Mother
wouldn't like it. She hates anything
clandestine, and man can't think
much of girl who suggests a thing
like that"
= Margaret, who was stirring the
fudge theoretically, suggested, "Whr
don't you go down and explain thingf
to Miss Betty?"
do you think it would do any
good?"
"Try it."
When Midget entered the big
school room she found Miss Betty
sitting alone, her big yellow Cupid in
her lap.
Midget, standing in the door, asked,
In meek voice, May l speak to you
a minute, Miss Betty?"
Z Certainly" was the gentle re-
spouse.
Il don't want to do anything" Mic
get began with great embarrassment
that would be against the ru'-s
But-but were you ever in lo~e, Miss
Betty?"
The pale little lady opened her
mouth, but not a word came.
Il suppose l shouldn't ask such a
question:" Midget apologized, "but it
did seem that if-if-you had ever
cared very much for any one that
you--you'd sympathize with me now,
Miss Betty" And Midget, whose feel
ings had been mucn wrought upon by
the excitement of the day, broke down
and wept.
There, there, dearie," little Miss
Betty quavered, patting the girls
hand; tell me all about It,"
Midget told her, sitting on little
stool at Miss Bet:y's feet, with Cupid
Struggled between them.
'And-it seems as If must see him
just once before he goes" she whis-
pered. land know mother wouldn't
object"
"Beulah would be very angry" de-