The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-08


nh? BE honest with me. Betty,
r,,ase. for believe In you like i
ike | believe in God" he finished rev
erenuy.
"Oh, Theoren. +" 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.
swcrcd. 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 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
rick of Fate. for I've brought com.
pany to dinner"
".Ill right" Betty was not per.
turbed. How many guests?"
One Mr.. Wilson from up country"
'Ir. Carter stood for a minute admir-
Ing the slight figure in an evening
irC IS pinned UP carefully and partly
covered With one of Susie's big blue
aprons.
Petty served her dinner without any
.narcnt effort and found time to chat
eaily with her fathers rather silent
guest.
Did you really cook this nice din
hcr?" 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
ne to be ready for just such emer.
gencies."
Now. Miss Betty is just the sort of
q girl ! want LOT lily
Let me give you some more fowl"
legged John Carter Hospitality.
1t was evident to the guest that
Mr.. Carter did not care to discuss pro-
fcssional 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
mCntcd Carter, proudly. Il hear other
ron complain OF expenses. but fctty
il a rcoI buyer ard wastes not,'ag,
, find t'at :..,i!ouGh have &, Z
Wing en- tie ll"".sct, my exncns $.
household opposes s, are no moro IT,
hcy were ton years aGo. Bet s
mother married me when was poor,
struggling lawyer. and we had to save
in order to live, so 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
Il mighty fine wife. Miss Betty"
A little later as the men sat smok-
ing in the library, Betty's voice. plain.
lively sweet in a tender love song,
made John Carriers heart begin to
ache. lie remembered her assumed
gaiety at the table and her brave at
tempt to take his advice without any
apparent effort
Tho tinkling Of the 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. don't care q hang about
Uncle ifenry's money. Something
tells me that you love me and that
you are sacrificing yourself for my
supposed advancement I 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 Thcorcn? Is that why
name for the evening""
\ 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 hel
lips to keep back the hot tears.
God bless you both. nephew.
couldn't find you better wife in al
the world than Betty. Take her and
Ill draw up q new will in the morn
ing. leaving the love l have followed
oil my life-gold-to my dear niece
and nephew. May l 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 suf
fered trying to give you up because
do love you"
Never mind. it's all over now
sweetheart. Some poet has said tha
a tear lies in the petals of every rose
Please Gcd, we've had our tcar-nov