The Ordway new era., 1912-10-04

like I believe in God" he finished rev
erently.
"Oh, Theoren. l." Betty put her
hand to her throat. She seemed to be
choking. Give me two days to think
things over. Then will send for you,
Theoren." she held her arms out to
him as he turned away to the door.
Don't lose faith In me, not yet-not
yet"
The next evening at dinner she
heard her fathers voice calling her.
IN the kitchen. daddy" she an.
swered. I'm getting dinner. Mary.
Susie, James and my own maid rushed
home an hour ago when the grocer's
boy told them about that big fre 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 Mr.. Wilson from up country"
Mr.. 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
live. Fortunately. my mother trained
me to be ready for just such emer
gencies."
Nov. Miss Betty IL 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 uI
the worn topic Of the high cost Of liv
ing.
Betty is q shrewd manager" com
mented Carter. proudly. Il hear other
men complain Of expenses. but Betty
is . good buyer and wastes nothing
so. I ind that although I have every.
thing on the market, my expenses
household expenses. are no more than
they were ten years ago. Bettya
mother married me when I was poor,
struggling lawyer. and we had to save
In order to live. 80 I suppose 1t 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'u make some man
a mighty fine wife. Miss Betty"
A 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
saiety at the table and her brave At.
tempt to take his advice without any
apparent effort.
The tinlkling Of tho door bell star.
tied him from his reverie. then the
rustic Of Betty's skirts and then Theo-
rem Cranes deep voice In the hall.
Betty. I don't care . 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. love
you, Betty. You're all I want in the
world"
Wilson turned questioningly to his
host.
isn't that Theoren? 10 that why
you asked me to take an assumed
name for the EVENING""
A few words between the men ex.
planned 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
from 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 q new will in the morn.
ing, leaving the love I have followed
all my life-gold-to my dear niece
and nephew. May I 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 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
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 1872 sy.,.., sy A,,'0e'ased Literary